Interesting Facts About Caffeine

By Debrah Elliot


You might be surprised to find that the FDA has reported that an average American adult consumers about 200 mg of caffeine each day. You might think that this is the highest amount in the world, but it is actually Finland where the average consumption of caffeine is the highest, at a staggering 400 mg per day. While much of the caffeine comes from drinking coffee, it is wrong to think that caffeine can only be consumed and found in this drink. Actually, there are several different caffeine-bearing food and drinks as well. Here are some interesting facts about caffeine.

It was put on record that the first attempt at isolating caffeine from coffee happened in 1820. This caffeine was taken from the seed of the coffee plant, and it is this seed that is roasted and eventually ground to the coffee we drink. Caffeine appears in a white crystalline form if put in its pure state. But in addition to coffee beans, there are more than 60 plants that naturally come with it just like the cocoa beans, kola nuts and the tea leaves. Leaves, seeds and fruits of several other plants also have caffeine which in fact is their natural guard against unwelcomed insects.

Because of the fact that caffeine is not merely limited to coffee beans, a number of other foods and beverages we consume can also contain it. In fact, it can also come as man-made if it is used as additives to products. One interesting fact is that contrary to what we think about coffee beans having the highest amount of caffeine, tea leaves in fact comes with a higher amount. The only thing is that we tend to consume smaller amount of tea and add the fact that it is more diluted hence giving tea of lesser caffeine effects on the one drinking.

Do you have the appetite for chocolates too? Then you should know that you will also get that "kick" when you eat chocolates along with drinking some cola because these too have caffeine. The only thing is that colas of today mostly use caffeine and artificial flavors already as compared to back when caffeine for colas were actually extracts from coca leaves and kola nuts.

Many people drink coffee because apart from the energy boost, it also contains antioxidants and nutrients like the B vitamins. There have been studies showing that caffeine may have health benefits including the reduction of risks from Type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. This is why some people still remain regular coffee-drinkers. However, as with anything, too much caffeine also has been shown to be unhealthy, especially to women who are pregnant.

What we've discussed above must make you want a cup of coffee now. Perhaps it is about time you check out Island Monarch Coffee, which is one of the best places to get a fresh cup of coffee in Los Angeles. This Culver City coffeehouse uses only the finest coffee beans imported from Kona and South America. The beans arrive in Los Angeles still green and are roasted only days before use. When you order a coffee drink, the beans are roasted only after you order and the water is purified using a process known as reverse osmosis.




About the Author: