Development of a Caffeine Content Table for Foods, Drinks, Medications and Supplements Typically Consumed by the Brazilian Population

Pedro Lucas de Amorim Rocha; Anna Luisa Caldeira Lima; Bryan Saunders; Caio Eduardo Gonçalves Reis

doi:10.3390/nu14204417

Development of a Caffeine Content Table for Foods, Drinks, Medications and Supplements Typically Consumed by the Brazilian Population

Nutrients. 2022 Oct 21;14(20):4417. doi: 10.3390/nu14204417.

Authors

Pedro Lucas de Amorim Rocha¹, Anna Luisa Caldeira Lima², Bryan Saunders³, Caio Eduardo Gonçalves Reis⁴

Affiliations

¹ Human Nutrition Graduate Program, School of Health Science, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil.
² Department of Nutrition, School of Health Science, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil.
³ Applied Physiology and Nutrition Research Group, School of Physical Education and Sport, Rheumatology Division, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo 01246-903, Brazil.
⁴ Laboratory of Nutritional Biochemistry, Department of Nutrition, School of Health Science, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil.

Abstract

Background: The lack of a national table informing the caffeine contents in foods, drinks, dietary supplements, and medications sold in Brazil added to the noncompulsory disclosure of caffeine contents on labels of food products makes it difficult to estimate caffeine consumption in the Brazilian population. Therefore, this study aimed to develop the Brazilian Caffeine Content Table (BraCaffT).

Methods: A systematic search for caffeine levels in foods, drinks, recipes, supplements, and medications was performed through a literature review, afterward collecting data from the United States Department of Agriculture Food Data Central, information from manufacturers' and websites, and the Brazilian official medication guide. Subsequently, data systematization was performed in a spreadsheet with standardized values presented in mg of caffeine per 100 g or 100 mL of food or drink and a capsule or pill for medications and some dietary supplements.

Results: The BraCaffT presents 57 items, divided into 11 categories: coffees, teas and infusions, cocoa powder, chocolates, cocoa-based beverages, desserts, soft drinks, energy drinks, guaraná powder, dietary supplements, and medications.

Conclusions: The BraCaffT emerges as an instrument of great relevance and wide applicability in clinical contexts, in academic research, and as a database for the Brazilian population to better understand the amounts of caffeine in foods, drinks, dietary supplements, and medications consumed daily favoring a safe intake.

Keywords: Brazil; caffeine; humans; nutritional sciences; public health; table.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Brazil
Caffeine* / analysis
Carbonated Beverages
Dietary Supplements
Energy Drinks* / analysis
United States

Substances

Caffeine

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding. B.S. (2016/50438-0 and 2021/06836-0) acknowledges personal research grants from Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo. B.S. also received a grant from Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (2020.1.362.5.2).