Dietary sources of caffeine intake by U.S. adults in the 2001–2008 NHANES

Abstract

Based on 24-hr recalls of dietary intake from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, 2001–2008, we determined dietary sources of caffeine intake among adults 19 yr and older (9,682 male; 9,307 female). Mean one-day caffeine intake was 189 ± 4 mg/d, with 187 ± 4 mg/d (98.8% of total) from beverages. Mean intake of caffeine from coffee, tea, soft drinks, and energy drinks was 119 ± 3 mg/d (62.9%), 30 ± 1 mg/d (16.0%), 36 ± 1 mg/d (19.1%), and 1 ± 0.1 mg/d (0.5%), respectively. Preferences for caffeine-containing beverages varied across age. Aggregate caffeine intake increased substantially with age with an increase in coffee consumption largely accounting for the differences. Caffeine intake from coffee increased from 47 ± 3 mg/d in the 19–30 yr group to 136 ± 4 mg/d in the 31–50 yr group and 142 ± 4 mg/d in those >50 yr old. The 19–30 and 31–50 yr groups consumed more caffeine from soft drinks (48 ± 2 and 45 ± 2 mg/d, respectively) than adults >50 yr (20 ± 1 mg/d). Caffeine intake from energy drinks was low even among males aged 19–30 yr in 2005–2008 (5.5 ± 1.4 mg/d), but this was a substantial increase compared to 2001–2004 (1.0 ± 0.4 mg/d). Caffeine intake by age-gender groups are largely determined by the caffeine content and volume of beverages consumed. (Support: US Army Medical Research & Materiel Command)