Children Book Week Home > Food > General Nutrition > Caffeine >
Healthy Eating: Caffeine  Healthy Eating: Caffeine  Caffeine is
a substance that occurs naturally in certain plants, including
coffee, tea, cocoa beans, and kola nuts. Many people drink
coffee or caffeinated products to get themselves going or to
prevent fatigue. People ingest caffeine mostly from colas, soft
drinks, coffee, tea, chocolate, caffeinated water, over-the-
counter drugs, and prescription drugs. There are more than a
thousand different over-the-counter and prescription drugs that
list caffeine as an ingredient. There is even a very small
amount of caffeine in decaffeinated coffee.  Caffeine can be
safe and can be part of a healthy eating plan if consumed in
moderation and not used to take the place of healthier fluids
such as water, fruit juice, and milk. There is currently no
scientific evidence that links moderate amounts of caffeine to
any health risk such as cancer, heart disease, birth defects, or
fibrocystic breast disease.  Effe