Nutrition: Learn ground rules about caffeine

December 13, 2004
By Hollie W. Best
Gannett News Service

How much coffee is too much? Your caffeine sensitivity depends on the amount you drink, the frequency, your weight, physical condition and other factors. For most healthy adults, 200 to 300 milligrams of caffeine per day -- about two to three cups of coffee -- pose no physical problems.

Caffeine is a natural chemical found in tea leaves, coffee beans, cacao (the stuff used to make chocolate) and cola. It has been in foods that humans have eaten and drunk for hundreds of years. Caffeine exists in our diet from a variety of sources -- primarily coffee, tea, cola drinks, and both prescription and nonprescription drugs.

Caffeine acts as a stimulant. Stimulants may make us feel more alert. Caffeine can cause your heart to pump faster and your breathing to quicken. It only takes 15 to 20 minutes to get into your blood and the effect lasts for 31/2 hours.

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