Most people, if not all, start their day with a good cup of coffee to get their bodies stimulated with caffeine to power through the day ahead. Sometimes, one cup is not enough to wake up the veins. That being the case, some people would tend to reach for two or more cups in a day. But, did you know there are many options of other food with caffeine you can have to shake things up?
Out and About with Caffeine
People know caffeine as a naturally occurring substance commonly present in their favorite drinks, be it coffee, tea, chocolate drink, or even a handy energy drink. Hence, it has become the world’s most popular stimulant due to its potential to increase alertness and energy levels.
It is then absorbed in the body within 45 minutes of consumption and peaks in the blood within 15 to 2 hours.
Caffeine in beverages is quickly taken up in the gut and breaks down in both water and fat molecules. It also has the capability of entering the brain. Fiber-rich food in the intestine can reduce the rate at which caffeine levels rise in the blood. As a result, drinking coffee first thing in the morning on an empty stomach may deliver a more immediate energy boost than drinking it with breakfast.
Interestingly, some food also offer the same benefits and mechanism of action inside the body. Thus, the Food and Drug Administration informed that manufacturers should indicate the additional caffeine in the product labels. This is for other consumers to be aware there are other beverages and food with caffeine content.
Scientists and chemists alike take regard of caffeine through its chemical name that is 1,3,7 trimethylxanthine.
Beverages and Food with Caffeine
There are a variety of beverages and food with caffeine that are available for you to choose from. It ranges from small bites of chocolates to a few gulps from here and there from your favorite morning drinks.
- Coffee. The caffeine content in 1 cup or 8 ounces of brewed coffee is approximately 95 milligrams. Whereas instant coffee of the same amount is around 60 mg. It is much less in a decaffeinated coffee containing only around 4 mg.
- Espresso. The stronger version of coffee contains 65 mg of caffeine per shot (1.5 ounces).
- Tea. Like coffee, there are different kinds of tea weighing different levels of caffeine content. Black tea has roughly 47 mg per cup while green tea has a caffeine content of around 28 mg. The decaffeinated version of tea has only 2 mg.
- Soda. About 40 mg of caffeine is made available in a 12-ounce can of cola.
- Chocolate. Can we forget about the treat that boosts our energy that could be easily counted as a dessert? The good of a stimulant from cacao gives the caffeine fix you need in small bites. Dark chocolate has roughly 24 mg of caffeine per ounce, whereas milk chocolate has about 15 mg. Some of our favorite candies may also contain some caffeine.
- Energy drinks. Energy drinks have caffeine-containing chemicals that boost the supposed effects. An energy drink provides roughly 85 mg of caffeine per cup (8 ounces). However, a common energy drink serving is 16 ounces, which contains 170 mg of caffeine. Energy shots are far more potent than energy drinks, with roughly 200 mg of caffeine in a single 2-ounce shot.
- Guarana. An extract made from the seed of a South American plant that is used in cuisines, energy drinks, and supplements. Guarana seeds have greater amounts of caffeine present, about four times more, than the ones in coffee beans. When this is added to any food or drink, the caffeine levels can reach 125 mg per serving.
- Supplements. Caffeine supplements typically contain 200 mg of caffeine each tablet, which is equivalent to two cups of brewed coffee.
There is also other food with caffeine that can hide under different names and forms. A few of the common additives that have caffeine content are as follows:
- Carnitine
- Choline
- Ginseng
- Glucuronolactone
- Inositol
- Kola nut
- Malic acid
- Maltodextrin
- Niacin
- Pantothenic acid
- Taurine
- Theanine
- Tyrosine
- Yerba mate
Key Takeaways
While caffeine can help us get us going through the day, it is of much importance that we should be mindful of how much we intake caffeine in our bodies. Relying everything on it can bring some health consequences which should be taken into consideration.
Make sure to read the label first before purchasing. Knowing the presence of common additives may help you cut down excessive caffeine intake, more so stray away from its possible side effects.
Learn more about Nutrition Facts here.
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