The most commonly used drug of addiction throughout the world is caffeine. In fact 80% of the world’s population consume caffeine daily. As with any addiction, symptoms occur when you don’t get your usual caffeine dose. The symptom is often a headache and some people tend to get a bit cranky. Generally the problem is fixed by a cup of coffee or tea.
Caffeine content
Caffeine is present in coffee, tea, chocolate (very low) and cola drinks. But some drinks have more caffeine than others. An average cup of instant coffee has about one and a half times as much caffeine as a cup of average strength tea. A brewed coffee is equal to at least two cups of ordinary tea. If you drink your tea very weak it may have very little caffeine while a very strong mug of coffee will have a lot more. The caffeine content of coffee also depends on the type of coffee beans used. The two main types of coffee beans are Robusta and Arabica. Really good coffees are usually 100% Arabica which has much less caffeine than Robusta and is often more expensive. The amount of caffeine in chocolate milk is quite small, a 300mL carton has about 1/5 the amount in a can of cola. Cola drinks have less caffeine per 100mL than tea or coffee but if you drink a 375mL can you get nearly as much caffeine as in a cup of tea.
Reducing caffeine intake
For most people two cups of coffee a day is enough so if you drink more try cutting down or switch to tea. Tea is good for you because it has less caffeine as well as beneficial antioxidants, but four to five cups of tea a day is probably enough. Rosemary Stanton advises parents of small children not to give them cola drinks, coffee or strong tea especially if they don’t sleep well. The major problem with caffeine may be its ability to keep some people awake. The less your body tolerates caffeine, the greater its effect. If you have high blood pressure, or suffer from migraine or hyperactivity, or if you’re a bit of a worrier, or if you’re pregnant, you may need to halve the quantities recommended to one cup of coffee a day and about two cups of tea. Of course if you’re sensitive to caffeine, it’s a good idea to avoid it in the evenings after 4pm. But caffeine doesn’t build up from day to day so you can always enjoy another cup of coffee the next day.
Caffeine content
BEVERAGEÂ – CAFFEINE
Coffee, brewed, 1 cup – 85mg
Coffee, strong brew, 1 cup – 120mg
Coffee, instant, 1 level teaspoon – 60mg
Tea, strong, 1 cup – 80mg
Tea, average strength, 1 cup – 40-50mg
Tea, weak, 1 cup – 20-30mg
Cocoa, 2 teaspoons – 20mg
Cola drinks, 1 can – 35-55mg
Further reading
For more of Rosemary Stanton’s advice on food and nutrition consult:
Rosemary Stanton’s Complete Book of Food & Nutrition (Simon & Schuster, revised edition, 1995, rrp $29.95)
Eating for Peak Performance by Rosemary Stanton (Allen & Unwin, second edition, 1994, rrp $16.95)
Healthy Vegetarian Eating by Rosemary Stanton (Allen & Unwin, 1997, rrp $6.95).