| Even for people who have never used caffeine pills, relying on products that contain caffeine for increasing one’s alertness has been around for centuries. In fact, coffee can probably attribute much if its popularity to its caffeine content. The negative to using coffee, soda, chocolate, or energy bars for improving metal alertness is that they are often highly caloric and contain large amounts of sugar. |
| |
| Most studies agree that caffeine intake should be limited to 400-500 mg per day. The following list contains the caffeine content of many of the most popular sources: |
Coffee & Tea (8 oz.) |
Estimated Content |
Brewed Coffee
|
100-140 mg
|
Instant Coffee
|
65-100 mg
|
Brewed Tea
|
20-100 mg
|
Iced Tea (12 oz.)
|
20-100 mg |
|
|
Caffeine content varies greatly based on time brewed, water to coffee ratio, and type
of
coffee bean or tea leaf. |
| |
Soda (12 oz) |
Estimated Content |
Coca Cola
|
34.5 mg
|
Diet Coke
|
45.5 mg
|
Pepsi
|
38 mg
|
Diet Pepsi
|
36 mg
|
Mountain Dew
|
55 mg
|
Diet Mountain Dew
|
55 mg
|
Dr. Pepper
|
40.5 mg
|
Diet Dr. Pepper
|
40.5 mg
|
Mr. Pibb
|
40 mg
|
Surge
|
52 mg
|
Jolt Cola
|
72 mg
|
Sunkist |
41 mg |
7-Up
|
0 mg |
Sprite |
0 mg |
|
|
| |
| Chocolate |
| Most milk chocolate contains about 5-6 mg per ounce with baking chocolate and sweet chocolate being much higher. |
| |
| Over the Counter Alertness Aids |
| Most OTC caffeine pills contain anywhere from 100 mg to 200 mg per tablet. This information is typically listed on the box. |
| |
| Medication |
| Many pain relievers, diuretics, and cold remedies also contain fair amounts of caffeine. |
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