FDA and Caffeine

Reference
U.S. Food and Drug Administration-Medicines in your home-Caffeine. (2007).
Retrieved January 25, 2015. From http://www.fda.gov

FDA and Caffeine:
90% of people in the world use caffeine in one form or another.
80% of adults consume caffeine every day in America.
Average daily consumption of 200 mg per day, (equals two 5-oz coffees or 4 sodas)
Caffeine is found naturally in plants, coffee beans, tea leaves, and chocolate.
Caffeine is added into many foods, drinks, and medicines.
It is not required by law to place caffeine as an ingredient on the product’s label.
Caffeine is not regulated by the FDA.
FDA does state caffeine is a drug and food additive, not a nutrient.
FDA conducted a study in Ohio on 7th, 8th, and 9th grade students. Study found that students took in an average of 53 mg of caffeine per day and 1 in 5 students took in more than 100 mg. Students are already being exposed to building a steady tolerance of caffeine at an early age, even with the healthy food programs that are in place in the schools.
Negative Impact Caffeine has on your health:

People with heart problems should not use caffeine because it makes a heart work too hard.
Anxiety problems and panic attacks will increase and become worse when mixed with caffeine.
Caffeine reaches its peak level in your blood within one hour and stays between 4-6 hours.
Increases the release of acid in your stomach, which leads to upset stomachs or heartburn.
Caffeine is a “diuretic,” making your body lose more water.
Caffeine raises blood pressure.
Caffeine is a central nervous stimulant and changes the way the brain and body work, as well as, changes behavior.
Larger amounts of caffeine during pregnancy can be harmful to mother and baby.

Bad Habits are formed slowly:
Tolerance levels increase when people do not feel the same effects of caffeine in their bodies.
People will increase their caffeine consumption and continue to do so in order to feel the same effects.
Withdrawal symptoms develop when the regular levels of caffeine are not reach.
Symptoms include; headaches, muscle aches, depression, irritability, insomnia, and nausea.

Understanding Caffeine Consumption:
Studies state moderate amounts of caffeine are safe.
Moderate means 100-200 mg each day is safe but changes with each person.
Caffeine affects varies with people’s weight, sex, sensitivity, and age.
Experts agree that the max amount of caffeine a day should not exceed 600 mg (4-7 cups of coffee)

FDA and Regulations for Caffeine:
Caffeine is not a nutrient, FDA considers it a natural chemical.
Caffeine is not required to be listed on a products recommended dietary information.
FDA has started taking action to control caffeine in many alcoholic beverages like, Four Loko, and many other highly caffeinated products to protect consumers.