Top 10 Foods and Drinks High in Caffeine

Caffeine is a chemical naturally found in several plant foods and drinks, synthetic supplemental forms of caffeine are also produced and added to foods. Due to caffeine's stimulating and addictive qualities, it is finding its way into more and more unhealthy foods including sodas, candies, and energy drinks.

The health benefits and costs of caffeine are controversial with numerous studies to document both benefits and health problems due to caffeine. The general upper intake limit (%UL) of caffeine intake is 400mg for adults, and less than 85mg for kids.

High caffeine foods and drinks include instant tea and coffee powders, espresso, dark chocolate, sweet chocolates, American style brewed coffee (americano), energy drinks, coffee liquors, black tea, soft drinks (especially colas), and baked goods containing chocolate. For all these foods and drinks the amount of caffeine should be seen as an average. The actual amount of caffeine can vary based on how strongly tea or coffee is brewed, and as to how much caffeine is added to various colas and energy drinks.