Caffeinated Concerns

Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) has been consumed in coffee, tea, and chocolate for hundreds of years and in soft drinks for more than 120 years. It is also consumed as an additive in energy drinks and dietary supplements. It occurs naturally in more than 60 plants, including coffee beans, tea leaves, kola nuts, and cocoa pods; it is also synthetically manufactured. The caffeine content of foods and beverages varies with the type of product and the method in which it is prepared. The major fo…