If you suffer from bladder leakage, many experts suggest staying away from caffeine, as it can cause excessive urine production. The usual culprits—coffee, tea, and certain diet sodas—are easy to spot, but did you know that caffeine may be lurking in that orange soda you had for lunch or even an over-the-counter pain killer you take from time to time?
Research from the January 2005 issue of Journal of the American Dietetic Association reveals that 87 percent of the U.S. population consumes caffeine every day. While much of this is conscious or intentional, many of us aren't aware of all the places where caffeine may be hiding out. These frequently asked questions and answers will help set the record straight.
Q: What are the most common sources of caffeine in a typical person's diet?
A: Among caffeine consumers, coffee (71 percent), soft drinks (16 percent), and tea (12 percent) are the three top sources of caffeine, according to the American Diet Association (ADA). For most people, that will probably come as no surprise, and certain soft drinks, such as colas, are also known to include caffeine. But did you know that Mountain Dew contains more caffeine than a regular soda like Coke or Pepsi, and Sunkist orange soda has nearly as much caffeine as cola? In addition, some brands of root beer contain caffeine, and certain flavors of colas contain more caffeine than others.
Q: Which other beverages are high in caffeine?
A: Consumers who are trying to steer clear of caffeine should also avoid a number of energy drinks, such as the Red Bull or AMP Energy brands, most of which contain added caffeine. Other beverages that are known to contain caffeine include many bottled or iced tea mixes, hot cocoa, and certain types of vitamin waters.
Q: Which foods contain caffeine?
A: Common food sources of caffeine include flavored dairy products (e.g., chocolate- and/or coffee-flavored milk, yogurt, and ice cream); sweetened grains (e.g., chocolate-flavored pie, cake, cookies, brownies, doughnuts, granola, breakfast bars, muffins, and cereal); and sugars and sweets, such as chocolate candy, toppings, syrup, icing, and chocolate-covered fruit. A six-ounce container of Dannon Natural Flavor Low-Fat Coffee Flavored yogurt, for instance, contains 36mg of caffeine, or about the same amount as a 12-ounce can of Coca Cola, according to a recent article in Consumer Reports magazine.
Q: Is there any caffeine in white chocolate?
A: No, white chocolate does not contain caffeine; however, milk chocolate and dark chocolate do.
Q: How can you identify foods with caffeine?
A: Currently, manufacturers are required to list caffeine as an ingredient on a food label only if it is added to the product. If it occurs naturally, as in chocolate, it does not have to appear. Also, the Nutrition Facts label does not have to specify the amount of caffeine in the product. As a result, it can be very difficult to identify exactly how much caffeine an individual product contains without doing additional research.
Q: What about non-food items?
A: Herbal supplements that include guarana, an herb containing caffeine, should be avoided. In addition, ginseng may intensify the effects of caffeine, according to Consumer Reports. Certain headache medications also contain caffeine, and it's sometimes added to over-the-counter medications such as pain relievers, appetite suppressants, and cold medicines. For more information on these products, consult a pharmacist, medical expert, or health practitioner.
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