Caffeine labels for drinks on the way

How much caffeine is too much? It’s a question that’s tough to answer but it is getting easier for you to total the amount of caffeine you take in each day.

The companies that make Coke and Pepsi products have agreed to start listing the amount of caffeine in their products by the end of the year. It’s a voluntary move but an important one for consumers who are increasingly more health conscious.

So while consumers will soon know that a can of Coke has 34 milligrams of caffeine and Pepsi has 37 milligrams, there are still a number of products that have more caffeine than you realize.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest says most of us don’t know that our 16 ounce cup of Starbucks coffee has about 260 milligrams, or that one cup of Ben and Jerry’s No Fat Coffee Fudge frozen yogurt has 85 milligrams of caffeine.

Dr. Russ Greenfield is an expert in conventional and alternative medicine. He enjoys his caffeine too but says people do need to be aware of how much they are getting.

“What most experts say in this regard is that for adults anywhere from two to three cups of typical coffee a day is probably okay and that’s upwards of 200 to 300 milligrams of caffeine,” Greenfield said.

The verdict is still out on the effect of caffeine on your body. Recent studies show that while it has been shown to possibly help prevent heart disease for those who do not have the condition, it’s also been show to worsen heart disease for those who already have it.

The same can be said for diabetes. Caffeine can have a preventative effect by boosting metabolism but can make diabetes worse for those who already suffer. The research is still inconclusive on its impact on Parkinson’s disease.

Dr. Greenfield says as with many things, moderation is the key. He worries about the popularity of high caffeine drinks like Enviga, Red Bull and Full Throttle. He says the trend points to a larger problem that many of us don’t get enough sleep.

“I think that’s the real reason that we are going for these types of beverages and foods and all is that we are using them to keep us going and indeed they do they keep us awake they keep us alert; they don’t necessarily make us more accurate in our work,” Greenfield said.

Source:www.wcnc.com