NextPrevious

Biology and You

You and Your Body

How does caffeine affect humans?

Caffeine is probably the most common drug ingested by people worldwide. Caffeine affects cells by stimulating lipid metabolism and slowing the use of glycogen as an energy source. As a whole, the body responds to caffeine by extending endurance, allowing you to stay awake for longer periods of time or perform extra activities. Adverse effects of excess caffeine intake include stomach upset, headaches, irritability, and diarrhea. The following lists caffeine sources and the average dose of caffeine in each:

Source

Average Dose (milligrams)

Coffee (12 oz) brewed

300

Coffee (12 oz) decaffeinated

7

Tea (12 oz)

100

Tea (12 oz) iced

70

Soft drinks (12 oz)

30–46

Jolting soft drinks (8–20 oz)

50–208

Dark chocolate (1 oz)

20

Milk chocolate (1 oz)

6

Cold remedies

0–30

Pain relievers

0 (aspirin)–130 (Excedrin)

Diet pills

200–280