February 06, 2013

How Much Caffeine is Present in Coffee? Decaff? Chocolate?


© Radu Razvan Gheorghe | Dreamstime Stock Photos
There are quite a few ENT problems that can potentially be due to caffeine intake. Even death has been attributed to high caffeine intake in young adults who drink a lot of energy drinks like Red Bull.

In any case, caffeine can contribute to (some proven, some suspected, some debatable):

• Tinnitus
• Meniere's Disease
• Migraine Headaches
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Reflux
• Lump in Throat Sensation (Globus)
• Chronic throat clearing
• Dry throat
• Phlegmy throat

Alcohol and salt are other big as well as under-recognized items that may cause similar ENT issues.

As such, caffeine abstinence is one of the first things to be tried with some of these conditions. What many people may not realize is how prevalent caffeine is even in some food items not normally considered to contain caffeine. Such unrecognized items include tea, chocolate, and even decaffeinated coffee (it has been de-caffeinated, but not to the point of being caffeine free).

Here is an infographic showing relative caffeine amounts in a variety of beverages taken from C&EN:



Fauquier blog
Fauquier ENT

Dr. Christopher Chang is a private practice otolaryngology, head & neck surgeon specializing in the treatment of problems related to the ear, nose, and throat. Located in Warrenton, VA about 45 minutes west of Washington DC, he also provides inhalant allergy testing/treatment, hearing tests, and dispenses hearing aids.


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