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Our answers to questions are not a substitute for a consultation with a professional
who can inform you of all the facts of your particular situation. We answer
questions in general terms only, to give you information that may
used as a starting point.
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| TOPIC - Caffeine |
| Question |
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Is the amount of caffeine in coffee the same as in colas? Do diet beverages contain
as much caffeine as regular?
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| Answer |
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Coffee generally contains more caffeine than colas, the actual amount is dependent on the
volume consumed (see table below). Diet soda beverages contain as much caffeine as
regular soda beverages; only the caffeine-free version contains no caffeine.
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| Coke Classic (12 fl oz) |
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46 mg |
| Diet Coke (12 fl oz) |
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46 mg |
| Mountain Dew (12 fl oz) |
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54 mg |
| Brewed coffee (6 fl oz) |
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103 mg |
| Instant coffee (1 rounded tsp) |
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57 mg |
| General Foods orange cappuccino (14 g powder) |
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73 mg |
Source: Bowes & Church's Food Values of Portions Commonly Used. 16th ed.
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| Question |
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I should not have caffeine. How can I determine if caffeine is in a food? What ingredients do I need
to look for on the label?
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| Answer |
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Caffeine is usually listed as it is. I am not aware of any other alternate names used. Other than
coffee, tea and chocolate, caffeine is also found in carbonated drinks such as cola, Dr. Pepper®,
Mountain Dew®, etc. To be sure which ones contain and which ones don't, look for caffeine in the
ingredients list. You also need to avoid any food that uses coffee or chocolate as one of its
ingredients such as baked goods (chocolate cake, brownies, chocolate chip cookies, etc), and
desserts (chocolate pudding, mocha ice cream, chocolate syrups, etc). All these foods will
contain caffeine.
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| Question |
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Does drinking coffee at the same time as taking a calcium supplement hinder the absorption of
calcium? What are the guidelines/restrictions in taking calcium supplements with coffee?
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| Answer |
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It is well established that intake of caffeine causes calcium to be excreted. For every cup of
coffee (equivalent to 150 mg of caffeine), approximately 5 mg of calcium is excreted in the
urine. The research on the effects of caffeine on calcium absorption, however, is less conclusive
at this time. When that is the case, we tend to err on the side of safety and advise avoiding the
use of caffeine with calcium supplements. You may drink coffee at least half hour before or
after you have taken your supplement. Don't forget that caffeine is also found in many foods
other than coffee such as cola drinks, tea, chocolate, and some cold medication.
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| Question |
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What effect does caffeine consumption have on the absorption of vitamins and minerals?
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| Answer |
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Caffeine can increase the amount of calcium lost in the urine & feces. You can make up
for the calcium lost by adding milk to your coffee or tea. Don't forget that caffeine can
also be found in cola drinks, chocolate, cocoa, and some cold & pain relief medication.
Caffeine may reduce the absorption of some minerals, such as manganese, zinc, & copper,
as well as vitamins such as vitamin A & B complex.
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