Quick facts on caffeine
- Caffeine - as a stimulant - can naturally occur in a range of foods
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommend no more than 400mg of caffeine each day - or 2 to 3 cups of coffee
- Moderate caffeine intake has the potential to aid weight loss, alertness and cognitive function
- Caffeine has potential negative effects, impacting pregnancy, glucose control, fertility and other areas of health
- Caffeine powder can result in a fatal overdose and should be avoided
How caffeine is used

Where does caffeine come from?
Naturally occurring in more than 60 plant species, caffeine is typically found in:- Coffee beans
- Dola nuts
- Yerba mate leaf
- Tea leaves and buds
- Cacao beans
- Guarana seeds
What about caffeine in food?
Although caffeine is naturally found in a lot of plants, how do we end up consuming it? Probably the most common place we seek caffeine is coffee, tea and chocolate, however, it is frequently added to foods such as waffles, marshmallows, gum, jelly beans, syrups and plenty of other snacks. With a recommended maximum of 400mg per day, this cap hasn’t been associated with negative effects. Of course, when we talk about these daily limits, we’re referring to an adult’s intake. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) discourages children and adolescents from consuming caffeine and other stimulants.
When you take a closer look at where caffeine is found, you’ll be pretty surprised how often it naturally occurs or is added to a range of food and drink. Here are some average caffeine quantities found in common food and drinks:
- 95 to 200mg in one 8-ounce cup of coffee
- 35 to 45 mg in one 12-ounce can of cola
- 70 to 150mg in one 8-ounce energy drink #BBD0E0 »