Caffeine: Not Just for Coffee!

Ranked #6,539 in Food & Cooking, #121,240 overall

The Many Faces of Caffeine

Not everyone likes coffee. In fact, more people like the effects of caffeine than like coffee.

If you`ve been dragging through life, longing for a pick-me-up that doesn`t involve bitter brown liquid, you`ll be happy to know that you don`t have to drink coffee to get the great zinging effects of its active ingredient. In fact, there`s an entire world of great caffeine products out there that aren`t even remotely related to the coffee bean!

For anyone who wants to stay awake and eschews coffee . . . this lens is for you! You`ll find that there are a lot of alternatives for staying awake using caffeine.

Quick Caffeine Facts

You know that caffeine can boost your energy levels and keep you awake for hours on end, but how much do you REALLY know about this popular drug?

- Caffeine naturally occurs in over 60 different types of plants.

- It cannot accumulate in your blood and 97% of caffeine is used by your body, the remainder is urinated out.

- Caffeine stimulates brain activity and can temporarily make you more productive mentally.

- Using more than 350 mg of caffeine a day on a regular basis causes a dependency.

- Your headache medicine probably contains some form of caffeine.

Considering how many people ingest caffeine each day, you can imagine that it has a huge bearing in how workers perform on a daily basis. Caffeine is quite literally the key behind most of the work done in the US!

Did You Know?

Caffeine is the world`s top drug. More than 90% of Americans consume it daily . . . in one form or another!

Energy Drinks: All the caffeine, none of the coffee

Zapping you with energy 24/7

Energy drinks are one of the most commonly used coffee alternatives. Students chug them by the six pack, to stay awake during all night study sessions, shift workers find them invaluable for making the switches at work and you`ll find a million other uses for these drinks, as well.

When it comes to drinking your energy, there are a lot of options on the market. You`ll want to try different energy drinks to find out which ones work for you. Some factors to consider include:

- Taste: Some drinks work well but are so unpleasant to drink that you`ll never use them!

- Amount of caffeine: Obviously, when you`re trying to stay awake, more is better, but there might be occasions when you just want a little caffeine boost.

- Other ingredients: Many energy drinks contain taurine as well as caffeine and a variety of other active ingredients, so pay attention to the list.

- Price: If an energy drink is too expensive, chances are, you won`t be buying it. You can sometimes get around the cost by buying online and buying cases instead of just one can at a time.

Energy drinks are definitely the way to go if you enjoy sipping your caffeine.
Loading

Caffeinated Candy: Stay Awake with Sweets

Mints, candy and more packed with caffeine

Even if you aren`t interested in drinking your daily caffeine fix, there are other options. Why not opt for a tiny mint that holds all the caffeine of a larger bottle of energy drink? It`s more efficient, too!

Caffeine can be delivered to the body in a variety of ways, so you have your pick. Caffeinated candy is a popular one for several reasons:

1. A tin of super caffeine mints is FAR easier to carry than a bunch of cans of Red Bull.

2. Under the tongue delivery is nearly instant, as opposed to having to digest an energy drink.

3. Candy is fun. Candy is good. Who doesn`t like candy?

4. For those of you who are sworn off sugar, there are even sugarless caffeine candies.

If you`re interested in more information on caffeine filled mints and candies, read on!
Loading

Are You a Caffeine Junkie?

Loading poll. Please Wait...

What Are Your Views on Caffeine?

Let everyone know what you think is the best way to get your caffeine fix.

  • WriterBuzz Nov 6, 2010 @ 10:46 pm | delete
    Wow, your lens is cool. Just thought I'd leave a comment to let you know. I also gave you a thumbs-up and made you one of my favs. Thanks for sharing this information. If you have time, surf on by and check out my newest lens on Migraine Headaches. Leave me a comment on what you think .
  • paperfacets May 14, 2010 @ 1:03 pm | delete
    No caffeine later than 2PM. It keeps me zinging. I make my espresso every morning, it is better than Starbucks. Thanks for the Blessing. I shot up to #3 in DIY. The completion makes it so hard to get higher in that category. It will be my personal milestone to get to #1. Gave you a like, cause I do.
  • The-Java-Gal Jan 26, 2010 @ 11:46 pm | delete
    From coffee or tea. That way I am more in control of additional, perhaps not so healthy ingredients. Enjoyed your informative lens.
  • coffeediscounts Sep 16, 2009 @ 10:26 pm | delete
    Interesting lens! And to the Dr. E who posted below: what a crazy conundrum!!

by

athomemomblog

I`m a Canadian expat and a work at home mom of 3 beautiful boys, 6, 5 and newborn. My interests are quite varied, so you`ll find lenses on many topics... more »

Feeling creative? Create a Lens!