Ask Leah! The Ingles Dietitian

Sponsored: Caffeine

Sponsored: Caffeine

As an ingredient, caffeine is found naturally in coffee, tea, mate and chocolate and is added to caffeinated sodas, some “energy” waters, coffee-flavored foods like ice cream and meal replacement bars, as well as candy, gum and non-prescription medications that have added caffeine. 

Caffeine makes some of us more alert and focused. For others that may be more sensitive; caffeine can mean restlessness, a jittery feeling, racing heart rate, an increase in blood pressure and sleeplessness. 

For healthy adults it’s recommended that you keep caffeine intake to 400mg per day. This is about the amount of caffeine in 4 - 8 ounce cups of coffee. (Since many of us drink from larger cups or containers make sure you keep that in mind when thinking about your caffeine intake.) 

Note: The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend that children under the age of 12 years consume caffeinated products.

Sources:

Leah McGrath, RDN, LDN

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