Nutrition A Brief History of Caffeine Caffeine occurs naturally, extracted from the leaves, seeds or fruits of more than 50 plants. It is also manufactured synthetically and is found in beverages such as coffee and tea, chocolate, and a host of other foods. As long ago as 2700 BC, people drank caffeinated beverages.
Caffeine is a mild stimulant.
It does not accumulate in the bloodstream, so its effects usually last only a few hours. The amount of caffeine varies widely depending on how the beverage or food was prepared and the serving size. A 5-ounce drip brewed cup of coffee in the morning has about 115 mg. In the last ten years, researchers have extensively investigated caffeine and found it has no effect on heart disease, fibrocystic breast disease, reproductive function, behavior in children, birth defects, and cancer. Belo Interactive Inc., All Rights Reserved.