If you are like most Americans, chances are you enjoy drinking a cup of steaming hot tea or a cold energy drink, whether it’s an iced or hot coffee. Join us as we dive into all these answers and more, including why we chose green tea for its caffeine content. And does it matter what type of caffeine you consume? How much caffeine should you have per day? Is it healthy to have a daily buzz?
Consuming an energy drink or a cup of coffee can provide a boost of energy to your body and brain. This is because caffeine, a naturally occurring chemical found in over 60 different plants including coffee beans, tea leaves, guarana, and cacao, speeds up the connection between your body and brain. It acts as a stimulant.
Green Tea Caffeine in OLIPOP
Green tea is one of the most popular and oldest drinks in the world. Green tea contains several flavors and natural caffeine found in green tea leaves.
Varying on the botanical species, a single 8oz portion of green tea contains caffeine levels ranging from 30mg to 50mg. Throughout history, numerous regions across the world, such as Japan, China, and Taiwan, have embraced the consumption of green tea, even within the regions where it is predominantly cultivated.
Why Green Tea Caffeine?
This green tea is a preferred source of caffeine for many people who are not looking for a lot of caffeine. The combination of caffeine and L-theanine helps to boost alertness without causing restlessness or an elevated heart rate. Unlike energy drinks or coffee, green tea offers a milder energy buzz thanks to the presence of the amino acid L-theanine.
Green tea could help reduce the risk of certain cancers such as prostate, liver, stomach, esophageal, breast, and lung cancers. It contains catechins and polyphenols, which are antioxidants that can protect the body against inflammation. Additionally, green tea is also high in vitamins such as vitamin K, B3, B2, and minerals like iron, zinc, copper, calcium, manganese, chromium, and magnesium.
What makes green tea one of the highest quality sources of caffeine, and why do we include it as one of our caffeine sources? This is because green tea includes flavors like Doctor Goodwin and Cherry Cola Vintage, which are our choices for caffeine sources. Additionally, green tea offers amino acids, minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and energy-boosting properties that support your overall health.
Learn more about our Doctor Goodwin and Vintage soda brands, and why they offer a healthier alternative to other soda flavors like Cherry Cola and Cola.
Caffeine Dependence and Withdrawal
When you suddenly stop consuming an excess amount of adenosine, your body can experience uncomfortable symptoms. This can also lead to a dependence on caffeine if you consume too much of it.
This leads to symptoms such as: 2.
Headaches..
Sleepiness.
Irritability.
Nausea.
Difficulty concentrating.
If you are experiencing these symptoms of caffeine withdrawal, don’t worry too much as most likely these symptoms will go away after a few days, as your body adjusts over time.
Does the Source of Caffeine Matter?
Caffeine contributes to the energy-boosting properties and taste of artificial products. However, in snacks and sodas, as well as energy drinks, caffeine is sourced artificially. On the other hand, natural sources of caffeine can be found in products and beverages such as chocolate, mate, yerba, coffee, and tea, where it occurs most naturally.
Here are a couple of reasons why: However, the caliber of your caffeine origin is significant. Both naturally and synthetically happening caffeine origins have fairly the same fundamental impacts on the body.
The Average Caffeine Content Varies
The amount of caffeine contained in these beverages differs depending on where and how they are made. Most of the caffeine comes from the consumption of beverages such as mate, energy drinks, tea, and coffee.
This is the standard quantity of caffeine you can anticipate discovering in some of the trendiest origins of caffeine: 2 4 5 9.
A single cup of coffee containing 8 ounces typically contains approximately 95-200mg of caffeine.
A 8-ounce cup of espresso contains 240-720mg.
A 12-fluid ounce can of carbonated beverage: 35-45 milligrams.
An 8-fluid ounce energy beverage: 70-250 milligrams.
A 8-ounce mug of green or black tea contains 30-50mg.
A 8-ounce mug of yerba mate: 65-130mg.
A 50g milk chocolate bar: 10mg.
When choosing a product, it is important to trust content with lower caffeine if you are trying to limit your caffeine consumption or if you are sensitive to caffeine. Some energy drinks and similar products may not always provide the actual amount of caffeine on their label. The amount of caffeine you could be getting can range anywhere from 10 mg to over 720 mg, so it is important to ask your barista or double-check the label if you have any concerns about the brand and source of caffeine. The quantity of caffeine can vary among different brands.
Added Sugar
OLIPOP’s Vintage Cola, Cherry Cola, and Doctor Goodwin flavors, unlike the previously mentioned popular sources of caffeine, are not typically accompanied by a significant amount of added sugar.
Do you ever stop and consider how much sugar you add to your tea and coffee? Throughout the entire day, we should be mindful of our sugar intake, especially when it comes to consuming Coca-Cola. Did you know that a 12-ounce can of soda contains anywhere from 27 to 32 grams of sugar? This is especially true for energy drinks, which can have as much as 240 grams of sugar in an 8-ounce serving.
If you open a soda or enjoy a sugar-filled latte every single day, you are also loading your body with unhealthy added sugars, which means you are getting more than just an energy boost.
Caffeine Supplements
According to the FDA, a toxic amount of caffeine is 0.15 tablespoons or 1,200 milligrams of pure caffeine. Consuming excessive amounts of caffeine can be life-threatening, as certain caffeine products such as supplements present a significant health risk.
The FDA considers it unlawful to sell caffeine-concentrated supplements to bulk consumers. This is why it is considered toxic territory for dietary caffeine supplements to go beyond the recommended serving of 4.
Is Caffeine Safe?
Recommended Amounts
During pregnancy, it is recommended to reduce the maximum daily intake to 300 mg per day. According to the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration), it is considered safe for most adults to consume up to 400 mg of caffeine per day, which is equivalent to around four cups of Starbucks Venti coffee. However, some experts suggest that even less than 300 mg per day is advisable during this stage of pregnancy.
Caffeine Side Effects
Consuming more than 400mg of caffeine daily may lead to certain undesirable consequences, including:2 3.
Increased respiration or heart rate.
Restlessness.
Shakiness.
Anxiety.
Feeling sick or lightheaded.
Dehydration.
Headaches..
Indigestion or acid reflux.
Insomnia or difficulty sleeping.
If you’re not drinking enough fluids, this can lead to dehydration and headaches. Drinking water and consuming extra salt helps flush out the extra water and salt from your body, which means it helps prevent dehydration and headaches. It is a common and immediate feeling for most people to experience the effects of caffeine.
Your tolerance to caffeine, use of medication, body weight, metabolism, diet, and genes are all factors that depend on how caffeine affects you. For some individuals, drinking a cup of coffee could result in an elevated heart rate and jitters, making it the perfect energy boost. It is important to keep in mind that caffeine affects everyone differently.
Who Should Limit or Avoid Caffeine?
6: If you are under the age of 2, it is especially important to consult with your doctor about how much caffeine you should consume. It’s always best to listen to your body if you’re experiencing any negative effects from caffeine consumption.
Expecting or nursing a baby.
Taking medication.
Dealing with depression or anxiety.
Susceptible to headaches or migraines.
Struggling to get some sleep.
Having high blood pressure or heart conditions.
Children.
In these cases, it might be optimal to restrict or refrain from consuming caffeine completely.
Does Caffeine Boost Cognitive Functioning?
Caffeine is a helpful boost for energy. Research suggests that caffeine could have positive effects on your cognitive functions. Research also suggests that caffeine could have positive effects on learning and thinking, similar to cognitive functions. It could also help improve your reaction time, aiding in physical and mental performance. Additionally, caffeine could help reduce the risk of cognitive decline thanks to its anti-inflammatory effects. This could be beneficial as you age.
“Enhancements in cognitive function over an extended period could potentially result from this. The ability of our brain to retain information contributes to that. Dr. Sergi Ferre, a brain scientist at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), states that consuming caffeine when you are more attentive.”
Theanine, an amino acid found in green tea, plays a beneficial role in the effects of both theanine and caffeine content, contributing to the positive effects mentioned above. One research study found that green tea could potentially improve attention and memory, as well as reduce anxiety. Caffeine, which is frequently studied for its cognitive effects, is one of the sources of this compound.
Why Does Caffeine Give You Energy?
Caffeine is a big reason why many Americans rely on it to get through a busy day. If it’s safe for you to enjoy and you decide to drink some, you might notice a boost in alertness and energy within 30 minutes of sipping a cup of coffee or a few swigs from your energy drink.
Caffeine, as a stimulant, helps you feel more alert. However, it is not the only thing that can assist you in this matter. When you consume a cup of coffee or an energy drink, the caffeine in it activates your central nervous system, which controls your heart, muscles, and blood pressure.
When you lay your head on the pillow, it becomes more effortless for you to doze off, causing your body to gradually relax aided by adenosine, such as melatonin. Adenosine communicates sensations of fatigue to your body during the day, generating a naturally occurring substance known as adenosine.
It can be counterproductive to tackle tasks and meet looming deadlines if you are not alert and awake. That’s where caffeine blocks adenosine, which can take effect in helping you stay more alert. However, if you are not ready for a restful night’s sleep or a power nap, caffeine can be counterproductive.
How you start building up a tolerance to caffeine is by drinking it, where you need more to feel the same effects. However, your body adjusts over time by producing more adenosine in response to the caffeine you consume.
If you are a longtime caffeine drinker, your body has now adapted to the effects of caffeine, so you need to consume the same amount to get the desired stimulant effect. However, if you have a project or research paper that requires you to be alert and work at a fast pace, you may find that you easily get tired and need a stronger caffeinated beverage.
Sources
The International Food Information Council. (2019, October 9). What is Caffeine? Food Insight. Retrieved December 8, 2021, from https://foodinsight.Org/caffeine/what-is-caffeine/.
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Alcohol and Drug Foundation. (2021, November 10). Caffeine. Retrieved December 8, 2021, from https://adf.Org.Au/drug-facts/caffeine/.
Https://www.Fda.Gov/consumers/consumer-updates/spilling-beans-how-much-caffeine-too-much Retrieved December 8, 2021. How Much Caffeine is Too Much? Spilling the Beans: U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2018, December 12).
WebMD. (N.D.). CAFFEINE: Summary, Applications, Adverse Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosage, and Reviews. Retrieved December 8, 2021, from https://www.Webmd.Com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-979/caffeine.
National Institutes of Health. (2020, November 3). Fatigued or Energized? NIH News in Health. Retrieved December 8, 2021, from https://newsinhealth.Nih.Gov/2020/10/fatigued-or-energized.
The article titled “A Review of the Chemical Composition and Health Benefits of Green Matcha Tea” by Janda, K., Mruk, H., Antoniewicz, J., Jakubczyk, K., & Kochman, J. (2020) can be accessed at https://doi.Org/10.3390/molecules26010085.
The systematic review conducted by Mancini et al. (2017) in Phytomedicine, with the title “Green tea effects on cognition, mood and human brain function”, can be accessed via the following DOI: https://doi.Org/10.1016/j.Phymed.2017.07.008. The review covers a range of topics including the impact of green tea on cognition, mood, and human brain function, and provides valuable insights on this subject.
The article titled “Functionality, Safety, and Regulatory Matters in the Consumption of Caffeine: A Comprehensive Review of Food Science” by Heckman, M. A., Weil, J., & De Mejia, E. G. (2010) can be found in the Journal of Food Science.
Musial, C., Kuban-Jankowska, A., &Amp; Gorska-Ponikowska, M. (2020). Beneficial Properties of Green Tea Catechins. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21(5), 1744. Https://doi.Org/10.3390/ijms21051744.