Caffeinated beverages like coffee, tea and energy drinks continue to be popular with almost 70 percent of Americans drinking a cup or more per day. Surprisingly, there are very few surveys of caffeine consumption from beverages that have been conducted. To address this gap, IAFNS recently supported a major public survey of over 49,000 respondents who reported their beverage consumption.
The new survey indicates a lower proportion of the U.S. population is consuming caffeinated beverages but at moderately higher levels of intake. The results also show that the mean caffeine intake from caffeinated beverages still remains below 400 milligrams of caffeine per day. This is equivalent to two to three 12-fluid-ounce cups of coffee. 400 milligrams is not generally associated with negative effects by health authorities in the U.S., Canada and Europe.
The moderately higher levels of caffeine intake may partially be explained by a greater proportion of coffee consumers and higher intakes of caffeine from coffee and new specialty coffees. The study found 970 brands reported across all categories of beverages including soft drinks, teas, energy drinks and new coffee products, compared to 559 listed brands about 10 years ago.
The survey found that approximately 69% of the U.S. population consumed at least one caffeinated beverage per day. Caffeine intake was highest in consumers aged 50–64 years and lowest in children aged 2-5. Coffee was the largest contributor (69%) to caffeine intake across all age groups followed by carbonated soft drinks (15.4%), tea (8.8%), and energy drinks (6.3%).
Tea drinking is on the downswing. There was an over 50% decrease in the proportion of all caffeinated beverage consumers who consumed tea between the most current survey and a previous one about a decade ago. Despite this decline, adults in all age categories who drink tea have nearly doubled their caffeine intake of tea. Thus, the tea drinkers that remained significantly increased their tea and caffeine consumption.
This study found that a moderate increase in caffeine intake has occurred with a corresponding shift in beverage consumption patterns. It also illustrates how IAFNS Caffeine Committee supports important research with public health implications.
This research looking at U.S. caffeinated beverage consumers is unique and underlines the fact that no other comparable, comprehensive caffeine intake research has been published for the U.S. in recent years.
Join IAFNS as we expand our stewardship of this important issue for government, industry, and academic stakeholders.