Caffeine consumption varies by country, with coffee being the main source in the US and Canada, while tea is the main source in the UK. Soft drinks and candy are the main sources for children, with an average intake of 150-200mg per day. Awareness and limitation of caffeine intake is important to avoid addiction.
Caffeine consumption is a daily occurrence for many people around the world. From the morning cup of coffee to tall glasses of iced tea at lunch to chocolate desserts after dinner, most of us have no idea how much caffeine we ingest each day. Here is some information about caffeine use that will help put average consumption into perspective.
Daily caffeine intake varies somewhat from country to country. Much of this variation has to do with the rate of coffee and tea consumption within a given location. For example, coffee is easily the most popular caffeinated beverage among adults in many parts of the world. This largely explains the amount of caffeine consumed daily by adults in the United States and Canada. In those two countries, the average consumption per adult is less than 250 mg. However, these figures pale in comparison to reports from Sweden and Finland, where the average daily caffeine intake of caffeine is quoted in the 400mg range for adults over the age of twenty-one. In all cases, coffee is cited as the main source of this daily caffeine intake.
In other countries, coffee slides down the ladder as the main source of caffeine. In the United Kingdom and many other areas formerly in the British Empire, tea is the drink of choice and the main source of daily caffeine consumption. Some studies indicate that the average caffeine intake for UK citizens is in the 300mg range. While tea accounts for most of the caffeine in the daily diet, coffee, soft drinks and chocolate candies are gaining ground.
For children, it is often estimated that in countries such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, soft drinks and candy represent the main sources of caffeine in the diet. The breakdown of how much caffeine kids consume on average is generally in the 150-200mg range per day. Along with soft drinks and candy, other beverages such as sports drinks appear to be increasing the average daily amount of caffeine our children drink each day.
Some experts consider this to be a clear indication of caffeine addiction in our society. Although many stimulants are known to be addictive, many people think little or nothing about caffeine. The average person gets the best effects from about 50 to 300mg of caffeine, although this varies from person to person. Being aware of the amount of caffeine around us and choosing to limit our daily intake is the first step to avoiding a potentially addictive situation while still being able to enjoy all the foods and beverages we love.
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