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Caffeine and Health
Caffeine is a naturally occurring substance and can be found in wide variety of products such as coffee, tea, cola beverages, energy drinks, chocolate and some medications. It also used as a food additive in carbonated drinks, cold and headache remedies. The majority of adults in Canada get their caffeine from coffee and tea beverages. For children the main source of caffeine in their diet is from carbonated cola soft drinks.
How much caffeine is too much?
Healthy Adults |
Pregnant Women |
Children aged 4-6 |
Children aged 7-9 |
Children Aged 10-12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
400mg |
300mg |
45mg |
62.5mg |
85mg |
*Three 8-oz (237ml) brewed coffee |
*Two 8-oz (237ml) brewed coffee |
* 1/2 of a 12 oz (355ml) can of regular cola |
* One 12 oz (355ml) can of regular cola |
* Two 12 oz (355ml) can of regular cola |
Approximate values
1 Health Canada: It’s Your Health-Caffeine September 2007 Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of Health 2007.
2 Caffeine can cross into the baby’s blood through the placenta during pregnancy
Caffeine and Pregnancy
Caffeine crosses into the baby’s blood during pregnancy. Health Canada recommends no more than 300 mg caffeine, or 1-2 cups of coffee, a day for pregnant and breastfeeding women
Approximate caffeine content of some foods.
Questions on Healthy Eating?
Call a Haldimand-Norfolk Public Health Dietitian at: 519-426-6170 or 905-318-6623. Or call Eat Right Ontario at: 1-877-510-5102.