FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2006
Friday Edition: Caffeine Nation
What is happening in America that has pushed us to become so
caffeinated? The
American Beverage Association says caffeine is not addictive. The ABA also says caffeine's effects on children are "typically innocuous," even though
kids are consuming more caffeine than ever (even as far back as 1998).
All the same, new drinks, candies and even medicines are flooding the market loaded with caffeine.
Rocket Chocolate has 150 milligrams of caffeine in one piece of candy. The amount of caffeine in one serving is equal to the caffeine in four cans of Coke or two cans of Red Bull.
Take Buzz Bites, for example -- a candy with as much caffeine as a cup of coffee.
Look at this graphic from the Buzz Bites Web site:
Some pain relievers also contain a hefty dose of caffeine.
Researchers say you only need about 100 milligrams of caffeine to get a lift, but increasingly, coffee, energy and soft drinks have five times that much per serving. Drink more than 200 milligrams and consumers report a jittery feeling. A typical cup of coffee has about 100 milligrams of caffeine, but that is for 6 ounces. My coffee cup is 10 ounces. A Starbucks "grande" is 16 ounces.
There is a long-running debate about whether the FDA should require food labels to list caffeine content. Two years ago, the FDA even listed caffeine labeling as a priority project. Nine years ago the Center for Science in the Public Interest pointed out:
Spurred by legal action by CSPI in the 1970s, the FDA issued an advisory in 1981 warning that "Pregnant women should avoid caffeine-containing foods and drugs, if possible, or consume them only sparingly." The FDA still maintains that advisory as its official policy.
"Unfortunately, food labels do not provide women with the information they need to put the FDA's advice into practice," said Patricia Lieberman, CSPI senior science policy fellow.
"Caffeine is present in an increasing variety of coffee and tea beverages, soft drinks, caffeinated waters, ice creams, and yogurts. It's usually impossible for consumers to estimate caffeine content based on a product's name or other label information."
CSPI included a long bibliography of studies raisings health concerns related to caffeine.
National Public Radio reported:
As a general rule of thumb, most caffeine users need a surprisingly small amount of the stimulant to enjoy its pleasant effects. Studies show that 100 milligrams -- just a 6-ounce cup of a typical automatic-drip coffee -- produces a lift.
"People report increased well-being, better mood," American University caffeine researcher Laura Juliano says. "They become more sociable and talkative."
But a higher dose can cause problems.
"Above 200 milligrams -- and certainly by 400 milligrams -- many people report anxious, jittery feelings of uneasiness," Juliano says.
Keeping your daily dose of caffeine under 400 milligrams can be tricky because it's hard to know how much caffeine is in any given cup of coffee or tea.
One study published in the Journal of Analytical Toxicology by researcher Bruce A. Goldberger of the University of Florida College of Medicine shed light on the variability of caffeine content. His research found that 16 ounces of caffeinated coffee from Starbucks had 100 milligrams more of caffeine than the same serving size from Dunkin' Donuts. The study also found that Starbucks' caffeinated breakfast blend, purchased at a Florida store, varied greatly in its caffeine content from day to day. One day, a 16-ounce cup had 259 milligrams of caffeine. Another day, the same size coffee contained 564 milligrams.
I was surprised to see that many energy drinks have half as much caffeine as a Starbucks coffee does. Some energy drinks contain an amazing 13 miligrams per ounce, putting them at more than 200 miligrams for 16 ounces. Al's Morning Meeting reader Ryan Bailey of Canada told me about a drink called "Cocaine Energy Drink," which contains an estimated 33 miligrams per ounce of caffeine (compared to about 23 miligrams per ounce for Starbucks coffee.) For Cocaine Energy drinkers, that would be more than 500 miligrams of caffeine in 16 ounces.
Espresso can run about 77 miligrams per 1.5-ounce shot. The key here is not to have more than one shot.
NPR points out other factors in how much caffeine you may be taking in daily:
Type of Bean: Of the two commonly used coffee plant varieties, arabica beans have half the caffeine of robusto beans. How do you know which you're drinking? Some companies, like Starbucks, advertise that they use only the more expensive and flavorful arabica. It's not a point of pride if your coffee is made with robusto, but it will give you a bigger buzz, ounce for ounce. Plant growing conditions, such as soil moisture, also affect caffeine content, but that's out of your hands.
Roast: Darker roasts actually have less caffeine than light roasts, even though the flavor is stronger. Roasting burns off some of the caffeine, so opt for a dark French or Italian roast for a less jolting cup.
Grind: Rougher grinds create more tiny surfaces on each grain of coffee. This allows more caffeine to seep out of the bean and into your brew. If you're buying your own grinder, a "burr" grinder yields more caffeine, while a "blade" grinder leads to a more laid-back cup.
Brewing: In general, the longer you brew, the more caffeine you get out of the beans. So a long steep in a French press yields more juice than a drip maker.
Espresso vs. Coffee: Despite its eye-opening reputation, espresso actually contains less caffeine than brewed coffee, due to its deep roast and quick brewing. You can actually drink three shots of Starbucks espresso and get about the same 195-milligram dose as a 12-ounce coffee.
Mortgage Rates Drop Again
The 30-year mortgage rate is now at its lowest point since March. That should help stimulate home sales. Fifteen-year year loans and five-year adjustable rates fell, too.
Bankrate.com has more.
It is interesting that mortgage applications have actually declined, even as rates fell last week.
Does Apple Own the Word Podcast?
Does your Web site offer "podcasts?" If so, Apple may have a few words for you. The company is sending out notices that it believes it owns the word podcast.
In fact, there is a paper trail that is worth a look. Apple has applied for trademarks on derivations of the words iPod and podcast. But then again, as I check the U.S. Patient and Trademark Office Web site, I find that a lot of people have applied for those words. Take a look.
Do We Need So Many Government Cars?
Look at this Washington Post editorial about just one county's experience. Makes you wonder what you would find if you looked locally, doesn't it?
We are always looking for your great ideas. Send Al a few sentences and hot links.
Editor's Note: Al's Morning Meeting is a compendium of ideas, edited story excerpts and other materials from a variety of Web sites, as well as original concepts and analysis. When the information comes directly from another source, it will be attributed and a link will be provided whenever possible. The column is fact-checked, but depends upon the accuracy and integrity of the original sources cited. Errors and inaccuracies found will be corrected.
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