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How Much Caffeine is Consumed by the Average Person?

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

Caffeine consumption is a daily occurrence for many people around the world. From the morning cup of coffee to tall glasses of iced tea for lunch and chocolate desserts after dinner, most of us have no idea how much caffeine we ingest each day. Here is some information about the use of caffeine that will help to put the average consumption into perspective.

The daily intake of caffeine varies somewhat from one country to the next. Much of this variance has to do with the rate of coffee and tea consumption within a given location. For example, coffee is easily the single most popular caffeinated beverage among adults in many parts of the world. This accounts largely for how much caffeine is consumed on a daily basis by adults in the United States and Canada. In those two countries, the average consumption per adult is just under 250 mg. However, these figures pale in comparison to reports from Sweden and Finland, where the average daily caffeine intake of caffeine is cited as being in the range of 400 mg for adults over the age of twenty-one. In all instances, coffee is cited as the main source of this daily intake of caffeine.

Energy drinks contain caffeine.
Energy drinks contain caffeine.

In other countries, coffee slips 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 beverage of choice and provides the major source for daily consumption of caffeine. Some studies indicate that the average caffeine intake for citizens of the UK is in the 300 mg range. While tea accounts for most of the presence of caffeine in the daily diet, coffee, soft drinks, and chocolate treats are gaining ground.

A cup of drip coffee can have up to 175 mg of caffeine.
A cup of drip coffee can have up to 175 mg of caffeine.

For children, it is often estimated that in countries such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom that soft drinks and sweets account for the main sources of caffeine in the diet. The breakdown of how much caffeine children consume on average is usually in the range of 150 to 200 mg per day. Along with soft drinks and sweets, other beverages such as sports drinks appear to be driving up the daily average of how much caffeine our children are taking in each and every day.

An eight ounce cup of green tea typically has about 24 - 40 mg of caffeine.
An eight ounce cup of green tea typically has about 24 - 40 mg of caffeine.

Some experts feel this is a clear indication of widespread caffeine addiction in our society. While many stimulants are recognized as being addictive, many people think little or nothing about caffeine. The average person gets the best effects from about 50 to 300 mg of caffeine, though this varies from person to person. Being aware of how much caffeine surrounds us and choosing to limit our daily intake is the first step toward avoiding a potentially addictive situation, while still being able to enjoy all the foods and drinks we love.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including TheHealthBoard, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

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Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including TheHealthBoard, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

dbuckley212

@mitchell14

This is true, caffeine has different effects for different people, and may even vary in its effects from time to time. It is important to recognize negative patterns that a person may have and seek to address them accordingly by limiting caffeine intake. For some people, caffeine can actually cause exhaustion at certain times.

mitchell14

One of my best friends finally asked herself a year ago, "How much caffeine is too much?" and decided that any was. It made her irritable, jumpy, and tired. She gave caffeine up completely, and it was a really interesting thing to watch. From several cans of caffeinated soda a day to none at all, she spent about a month in a sleepy and slightly angry daze, and then seemed fine.

I admire her, though I am not sure if I will follow suit. Caffeine does not make me irritable and I can even go a few days without it if I need to and not have really bad withdrawal; it also does not prevent me from sleeping unless I have a really significant amount right before bed.

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    • Energy drinks contain caffeine.
      By: lecostaloca
      Energy drinks contain caffeine.
    • A cup of drip coffee can have up to 175 mg of caffeine.
      By: uwimages
      A cup of drip coffee can have up to 175 mg of caffeine.
    • An eight ounce cup of green tea typically has about 24 - 40 mg of caffeine.
      By: Liv Friis-larsen
      An eight ounce cup of green tea typically has about 24 - 40 mg of caffeine.
    • People can become addicted to caffeine.
      By: Andres Rodriguez
      People can become addicted to caffeine.
    • Iced tea is filled with caffeine.
      By: okinawakasawa
      Iced tea is filled with caffeine.
    • Espressos contain more caffeine than regular coffee.
      By: Dave Newman
      Espressos contain more caffeine than regular coffee.
    • Many people start their day with a cup of coffee.
      By: AZP Worldwide
      Many people start their day with a cup of coffee.
    • Many people drink multiple caffeinated sodas over the course of a day.
      By: tiverylucky
      Many people drink multiple caffeinated sodas over the course of a day.