9 Top Caffeine Fixes

Posted Wed, Feb 20, 2008, 9:55 am PST

Talk about happy trends. More and more yum-ola foods that used to be considered bad news are turning out to be good for you. First it was wine. Then olive oil. Chocolate. Guacamole. And now coffee. (Hey, can ice cream be far behind?!)

What restored coffee's reputation? Caffeine. After years of being viewed with suspicion, caffeine has pulled a scientific switcheroo. Besides helping students pull all-nighters and weekend warriors jumpstart their jump shots, there's now evidence that it defends against diabetes, Parkinson's, asthma symptoms, post-workout soreness, and even hunger pangs. Cool.

It's not totally benign, of course - is anything? So the RealAge experts advise limiting yourself to about 250 mg a day (the average cup of joe has about 100 mg) to avoid jitters and a possible boost in blood pressure. But few labels list caffeine content, so stick this on the fridge. It covers the caffeine sources generating the most buzz, plus some timeless favorites. We checked the calories too, BTW, but most are pretty harmless.

DIET COKE            Everybody's default diet drink
THE CAFFEINE FIX   45 mg
THE CALORIES        0
THE OTHER STUFF   A lot of flavorings and colorings,
                            not much else-call it caffeine lite

WATER JOE           For the purist: plain H2O with a jolt
THE CAFFEINE FIX   60 mg 16.9-ounce bottle
THE CALORIES        0
THE OTHER STUFF   Artesian water and caffeine—that's it.
                           No additives, no carbonation

RED BULL              The energy drink that started it all
THE CAFFEINE FIX   80 mg per 8-ounce can
THE CALORIES        110
THE OTHER STUFF   Has taurine, a "detox," amino acid;
                            B vitamins; loads of sugar—so beware
                            the crash after the rush

TAB ENERGY          A revved-up version of old Tab cola
THE CAFFEINE FIX   95 mg per 10.5-ounce can
THE CALORIES        5
THE OTHER STUFF   Sweet and pink, it's spiked with ginseng
                            and guarana, a mild caffeine-like stimulant

ENVIGA                Controversial new green tea drink
THE CAFFEINE FIX   100 mg per 12-ounce can
THE CALORIES        5
THE OTHER STUFF   Laced with 200 mg of calcium and
                           green tea antioxidants but in trouble for
                           claiming that it makes the body burn up
                           extra calories

ROCKET
CHOCOLATES       Candy with more zip than a cup of joe
THE CAFFEINE FIX 150 mg per piece
THE CALORIES       70
THE OTHER STUFF Comes in trendy flavors like mocha latte;
                           individually wrapped so you can stash in
                           a pocket—but can you eat just one?

FUSION ENERGY   7/Eleven's new-ish "functional" brew
THE CAFFEINE FIX 250 mg per 12-ounce cup
THE CALORIES       0
THE OTHER STUFF Freshly-ground coffee brewed with an
                          alertness-boosting blend of ginseng,
                          guarana, and yerba mate

STARBUCKS          Coffee, just coffee
THE CAFFEINE FIX 280 or so per 12-ounce cup
THE CALORIES       0
THE OTHER STUFF Starbucks coffee averages twice the
                           caffeine of a regular 8-ounce cup of java,
                          but the hit can vary wildly-in one study,
                           by 200 mg on different days

SPIKE SHOOTER    Heavy-hitter energy drink
THE CAFFEINE FIX 300 mg per 8.4-ounce can
THE CALORIES       0
THE OTHER STUFF Spiked with tyrosine, yohimbine, and
                           a huge dose of vitamin B12; label warns
                           you not to drink more than 1 a day

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266 Comments

1. Posted by Meg on Thu, Feb 21, 2008, 7:02 am PST

oh... my.... gosh.... all of those are HORRIBLE for your body!
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2. Posted by busymom2391 on Fri, Feb 22, 2008, 3:10 am PST

Does anyone know where black tea fits in?
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3. Posted by dolin3692@verizon.net on Fri, Feb 22, 2008, 3:18 am PST

Wow, you really don't think of all of these. Some I haven't heard of....but will not purchase. My only fault is Diet Coke....but just rarely.
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4. Posted by pittypatt77@att.net on Fri, Feb 22, 2008, 3:20 am PST

SORRY I DONT EVEN USE ANY OF THE ENERGY DRINKS AT ALL. JUST NO NEED FOR THEM. PLUS HAVE SEEN THE DISADVANTAGES--LIKE THE RUSH THEN THE CRASH--IN MY FRIENDS SO I DONT RECOMMEND. MUCH BETTER TO JUST GET THE SLEEP TO RECHARGE INSTEAD OF RELYING ON ALL THE BUNK OF THESE DRINKS.
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5. Posted by Brenda on Fri, Feb 22, 2008, 3:22 am PST

8 oz serving of brewed tea ranges from 40 to 120 mg, depending on how long it is brewed. Arizona Iced Tea, black, 16 oz = 32mg Nestea, 12 oz = 26 mg
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6. Posted by rnnjf@sbcglobal.net on Fri, Feb 22, 2008, 3:22 am PST

Do you read the article that pregnant women double there changes of a miscarriage if they take more than 200mg of caffieine per day. Than it equal to two regular coffees or one Starbuck. Better no caffeine. Why take such a chance.
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7. Posted by ksberserk@sbcglobal.net on Fri, Feb 22, 2008, 3:27 am PST

http://www.energyfiend.com/the-caffeine-database/ For a big list of drinks.
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8. Posted by screaming_eagle_2@sbcglobal.net on Fri, Feb 22, 2008, 3:40 am PST

Did anyone read the article? It does have its betnefits " There's now evidence that it defends against diabetes, Parkinson's, asthma symptoms, post-workout soreness, and even hunger pangs. Cool."
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9. Posted by Shanna :) on Fri, Feb 22, 2008, 3:49 am PST

They may say it has benefits but, I am not sure I am buying this as of yet...the research could all change as early as tomorrow. And for the woman who wanted to know where black tea fits in...here is a site to take a look at :) www.energyfiend.com/huge-caffeine-database/
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10. Posted by Carroll & Mary Lynn on Fri, Feb 22, 2008, 4:01 am PST

did not see rockstar. ..must be double Red Bull... I stay away from them too or i would not sleep for days..
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11. Posted by krug on Fri, Feb 22, 2008, 4:05 am PST

I have a better alternative. Healthy coffee. You can get the feel good plus nutrition. Go to http://myganoexcel.biz/8090229 Read all about the wonderful benefits...and it taste great
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12. Posted by Carol R on Fri, Feb 22, 2008, 4:09 am PST

OMG...my kid's dad gives them Rock Star drinks on days he takes them to school, I told him to stop cuz that stuff DEFINATELY is not for kids! That explains the bad reports coming home from school on those days.
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13. Posted by on Fri, Feb 22, 2008, 4:22 am PST

All of these drinks have a crash after the buzz type effect. I take an energy drink tablet that will NOT give you a crash at all and it has less sugar, no calories and has only 75mg of caffeine. This effervescent energy drink can only be purchased through distributors like myself. If anyone is interested and want more information about this drink just leave me an email!
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14. Posted by Sake Sister on Fri, Feb 22, 2008, 4:28 am PST

Well, hello to dental visits and goodby to preventative care with youth. Cavities welcome with high boosts of sugars and derivitives.
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15. Posted by Jeff C on Fri, Feb 22, 2008, 4:29 am PST

Does anybody know how much caffine there is in a STARBUCKS DECAF ? ... Decaf DOES contain some caffine ((SO I HAVE BEEN TOLD))
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16. Posted by klk0451 on Fri, Feb 22, 2008, 4:31 am PST

OMG! No Child should be drinking the type of caffeine filled drinks that are being discussed here! And given the incidence of road rage these days it seems that a lot of adults should also be avoiding it also!
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17. Posted by Bookie on Fri, Feb 22, 2008, 4:32 am PST

Can we ever NOT use trendy overpriced STARBUCKS in a survey! How about a real cup of coffeee for the middle class people like DUNKIN DONUTS! We r all not Paris Hilton's or the Dreaded Brtiney Spears! Common People!
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18. Posted by gnpeewee@sbcglobal.net on Fri, Feb 22, 2008, 4:34 am PST

Where are Pepsi and Mountain Dew. This must be a Coke study!
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19. Posted by Richard Q on Fri, Feb 22, 2008, 4:39 am PST

This article would have been a lot better if you had given the counts for more common beverages. I haven't heard of most of these.
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20. Posted by adnan a on Fri, Feb 22, 2008, 4:40 am PST

sxe
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21. Posted by grassi107@sbcglobal.net on Fri, Feb 22, 2008, 4:47 am PST

And this is why I only have 1 or 2 cups of coffee in the morning and I drink WATER yep just plain old water (if I have a lemon handy I do add lemon for a change )for the rest of the day and its FREE!
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22. Posted by bass6628889@verizon.net on Fri, Feb 22, 2008, 4:53 am PST

Again, moderation....A little goes a long way. All the body really needs is a slight boost. Unless you have conditioned your metabolism for high doses, then your body wants the high doses. I have also read that it is not good to give your body a "jolt" of caffeine when you first wake up.
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23. Posted by snippersthelion on Fri, Feb 22, 2008, 4:57 am PST

Wow. Everything in moderation. Caffeine isn't evil. Sugar isn't evil. But it is trendy to hate these things especially since it makes it easier to make giant leaps in logic.
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24. Posted by James J on Fri, Feb 22, 2008, 5:00 am PST

Has anyone taken notice to the huge marketing and advertising campaigns these energy drinks are executing. Its like a new drug on the street or something. Any product that should be limited to "one per day", due to health reason's should be strictly regulated by the Govmt. Period. "It's like people are chasing the caffein high like they would cocain. "2005 study... (between 2000 and 2004 cocain use among adults over age 21 dropped significantly. BUT... amount of money Americans spend on caffein products rose by more than double what the coke use decresed. James - Philadelphia
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25. Posted by James J on Fri, Feb 22, 2008, 5:00 am PST

Has anyone taken notice to the huge marketing and advertising campaigns these energy drinks are executing. Its like a new drug on the street or something. Any product that should be limited to "one per day", due to health reason's should be strictly regulated by the Govmt. Period. "It's like people are chasing the caffein high like they would cocain. "2005 study... (between 2000 and 2004 cocain use among adults over age 21 dropped significantly. BUT... amount of money Americans spend on caffein products rose by more than double what the coke use decresed. James - Philadelphia
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26. Posted by elamshane@sbcglobal.net on Fri, Feb 22, 2008, 5:11 am PST

there is a new study every so often.these doctors are always changing their minds and stances,pretty soon aids and cancer will be beneficial to every one.
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27. Posted by Jeff R on Fri, Feb 22, 2008, 5:15 am PST

Would be nice it you are going to write and article like that you do the math and break it down per once and not per serving or can. So that you are lookin at all the data the same way otherwise you push the work onto me and I have to take your arlicle and breack it down before it even is worth anything to me.
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28. Posted by cocoabeanpt on Fri, Feb 22, 2008, 5:21 am PST

most of these drinks r not available in my region. it would have helped me more if more soft drinks were listed.
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29. Posted by nosynora on Fri, Feb 22, 2008, 5:37 am PST

Amen! How about the drinks of the common folk... pepsi, coke, etc. and don't forget hot chocolate (Swiss Miss).
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30. Posted by losingweightfast on Fri, Feb 22, 2008, 5:38 am PST

I have known since my early 20's that I couldn't handle caffeine,( even a little causes heart palputations and anxiety) . Does anyone know if "de-caf" coffee or "de-caf" tea really is decaffienated ? I've heard even tho they say "de-caf" they still have some in it. And if its true....how do they get the caffeine out...or is it added to the drinks, ( like coffee or tea)...and lastly, is greeen tea decaffeinated ?Thanks in advance to anyone who can help answer these questions!! :)
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