The Caffeine Mystery

Despite decades of scientific attempts to find something wrong with caffeine consumption, proof of any medical threat remains elusive. But that doesn't mean its labeling isn't deceptive.

Question: What are the potential threats of consuming too much caffeine?
Marion Nestle: You know, scientists have tried for decades to find something wrong with caffeine, and it can't. No matter how hard they try. We metabolize caffeine. Some of us metabolize it better than others. I happen to be a fast metabolizer, so it doesn't affect me at all unless I have really a lot of it. But for people who are sensitive to caffeine, they know it. They know that if they eat something that has caffeine in it, they get jumpy and shaky and they don't like the way it feels, so they cut back on it. But if you're not really consuming huge quantities, it doesn't have very much of an effect.
I don't think it's so good for kids. And certainly teachers in school complain a lot that if the kids are highly caffeinated they are bouncing off the walls and it makes it harder for the kids to concentrate, and harder for them to do their work. So, that would be the main thing. But what really bothers me about it is it's not labeled. I think it ought to be labeled on food products and on drinks so then people have a choice. Right now they don't have a choice.
Question: Are there any foods that could replace caffeine in one's diet?
Marion Nestle: Yeah, energy in food comes from protein, fat, and carbohydrate. Any food with protein, fat, or carbohydrate will give you energy. You want fast energy, then that's carbohydrates, rapidly absorbable carbohydrates, or sugars. But all foods give you energy. That's what calories are about. That's why you have to eat if you need energy and the nutrients that go with it.

Question: What are the potential threats of consuming too much caffeine?
Marion Nestle: You know, scientists have tried for decades to find something wrong with caffeine, and it can't. No matter how hard they try. We metabolize caffeine. Some of us metabolize it better than others. I happen to be a fast metabolizer, so it doesn't affect me at all unless I have really a lot of it. But for people who are sensitive to caffeine, they know it. They know that if they eat something that has caffeine in it, they get jumpy and shaky and they don't like the way it feels, so they cut back on it. But if you're not really consuming huge quantities, it doesn't have very much of an effect.
I don't think it's so good for kids. And certainly teachers in school complain a lot that if the kids are highly caffeinated they are bouncing off the walls and it makes it harder for the kids to concentrate, and harder for them to do their work. So, that would be the main thing. But what really bothers me about it is it's not labeled. I think it ought to be labeled on food products and on drinks so then people have a choice. Right now they don't have a choice.
Question: Are there any foods that could replace caffeine in one's diet?
Marion Nestle: Yeah, energy in food comes from protein, fat, and carbohydrate. Any food with protein, fat, or carbohydrate will give you energy. You want fast energy, then that's carbohydrates, rapidly absorbable carbohydrates, or sugars. But all foods give you energy. That's what calories are about. That's why you have to eat if you need energy and the nutrients that go with it.