Caffeine seems to be all around us and infused in our everyday lives. We all seem to love it, but how much do you really know about it? Continue reading to discover more on one of the most widely consumed stimulants in the world!
Where Does Caffeine Come From?
Caffeine is a naturally occurring substance found within over 60 plant species. The most common sources of caffeine are tea leaves, guarana, yerba mate, kola nuts and cocoa beans. About 96% of caffeinated beverages consumed are from coffee, soft drinks and tea. However, the top two most-widely consumed sources of caffeine are coffee beans and tea leaves. Did you know? Caffeine can be removed from the green coffee beans through a decaffeination process, but the decaffeination process can only extract about 97% of the total caffeine.
- Coffee (8oz.) = 95-200 mg caffeine
- Decaf Coffee (8oz.) = 2-10 mg caffeine
- Green Tea (8oz.) = 24-45 mg caffeine
- Decaf Green Tea (8oz.) = 1-2 mg caffeine
- Herbal Tea (8oz.) = caffeine-free
How Does Caffeine Work?
Caffeine acts as a stimulant on the central nervous system. It can help to support energy, endurance, focus, attention, reduce fatigue and help to promote alertness and wakefulness. Caffeine works by blocking the action of a neurotransmitter called adenosine. Adenosine is a neurotransmitter, which sends chemical messages to the central nervous system to slow neural activity and make you feel tired.
When Does Caffeine Kick in and When Does it Wear Off?
Caffeine can take anywhere from 15-minutes to 2-hours to peak in the bloodstream. The time it takes for caffeine to act depends on you, genetics, body mass, dietary intake and amount of caffeine that is consumed regularly. Once caffeine reaches its peak it can remain in the system for about 4 to 6-hours.
How Much is too Much?
Caffeine has been consumed for centuries and it's one of the most widely researched substances. Approximately 90% of the U.S. population has at least one caffeinated beverage each day. About 9 of 10 adults reported regular use of caffeine, with an average daily intake of 230mg. Consuming up to 400mg per day is generally considered safe for healthy adults, which is about 4 cups of coffee each day. However, everyone responds differently to caffeine. Be mindful of personal tolerance and daily intake.
Enjoy Caffeine Your Way!
The wonderful thing about caffeine is that is can be enjoyed in so many unique ways from a simple cup of coffee to an ice matcha green tea latte. Steep it. Brew it. Pour it. Enjoy it! Indulge in your favorite caffeinated beverage paired up with a sweet or savory treat. Cheers!