Diet - caffeine

Caffeine is widely consumed. It is found naturally in the leaves, seeds, and fruits of more than 60 plants, including:

• Tea leaves
• Kola nuts
• Coffee
• Cocoa beans

It is in:

• Coffee
• Tea
• Chocolate
• Most colas (unless they are labeled "caffeine-free")

Caffeine is often added to over-the-counter medications such as pain relievers, over-the-counter diet pills, and cold medicines. Caffeine has no flavor and it can be removed from a food by a chemical process called decaffeination.

Previous Section

Caffeine in the diet Overview

Next Section

Caffeine in the diet Side Effects

Review Date: 05/05/2011
Reviewed By: Alison Evert, MS, RD, CDE, Nutritionist, University of Washington Medical Center Diabetes Care Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)