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 of caffeine depend on the amount consumed and the health of the individual. (1) Health benefits of moderate caffeine intake not exceeding 4 cups of coffee or 400mg of caffeine include reduced risk of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and heart disease. (2,3)

Adverse side effects of too much caffeine include headache, migraine, insomnia, anxiety, and heart palpitations. (1,2) Due to these negative effects, pregnant women and small children should limit their intake of caffeine. (1,4)

The upper intake limit (UL) of caffeine intake is 400mg for adults and less than 85mg for kids. (5)

Some of the highest caffeine foods and drinks include chocolate-covered coffee beans, coffee, energy drinks, espresso, sodas, green tea, black tea, dark chocolate, coffee liqueur, and baked goods containing chocolate.

For all these foods and drinks the amount of caffeine is an average number. The actual amount of caffeine can vary based on how strongly tea or coffee is brewed, and how much caffeine is added to various colas and energy drinks.

To find even more foods high in caffeine see the nutrient ranking of over 200 foods and drinks high in caffeine.

• 1. Dark Chocolate Coated Coffee Beans

  Caffeine per oz(28 Beans)	Caffeine per 100g	Caffeine per 200 Calories
  336mg (84% UL)	839mg (210% UL)	311mg (78% UL)

  Nutrition Facts for Candies, dark chocolate coated coffee beans. (Source)
• 2. Coffee

  Caffeine per 8oz Cup	Caffeine per 100g	Caffeine per 200 Calories
  95mg (24% UL)	40mg (10% UL)	8000mg (2000% UL)

  Nutrition Facts for Coffee. (Source)
• 3. Energy Drinks

  Caffeine per 8oz Cup	Caffeine per 100g	Caffeine per 200 Calories
  91mg (23% UL)	38mg (10% UL)	123mg (31% UL)

  Nutrition Facts for Energy Drink. (Source)

  Energy drinks are typically high in sugar, sweeteners, and other artificial additives and should be avoided.

• 4. Espresso

  Caffeine per 1oz Shot	Caffeine per 100g	Caffeine per 200 Calories
  63mg (16% UL)	212mg (53% UL)	4711mg (1178% UL)

  Nutrition Facts for Espresso. (Source)
• 5. Sodas

  Caffeine per 16oz Bottle	Caffeine per 100g	Caffeine per 200 Calories
  49mg (12% UL)	10mg (3% UL)	49mg (12% UL)

  Nutrition Facts for Pepper Soda. (Source)

  Energy drinks are typically high in sugar, sweeteners, and other artificial additives and should be avoided.

• 6. Green Tea

  Caffeine per 8oz Cup	Caffeine per 100g
  28mg (7% UL)	12mg (3% UL)

  Nutrition Facts for Green Tea. (Source)
• 7. Black Tea

  Caffeine per 8oz Cup	Caffeine per 100g
  26mg (7% UL)	11mg (3% UL)

  Nutrition Facts for Black Tea (Ready To Drink). (Source)
• 8. Dark Chocolate

  Caffeine per 1oz Square	Caffeine per 100g	Caffeine per 200 Calories
  24mg (6% UL)	86mg (22% UL)	30mg (7% UL)

  Nutrition Facts for Dark Chocolate (60-69% Cocoa). (Source)
  • Cocoa powder provides 198mg of caffeine per cup
  • Hot cocoa provides 5mg per cup
• 9. Coffee Liqueur

  Caffeine per 1.5oz Shot	Caffeine per 100g	Caffeine per 200 Calories
  14mg (3% UL)	26mg (7% UL)	15mg (4% UL)

  Nutrition Facts for Coffee Liqueur. (Source)
• 10. Chocolate Cake with Frosting

  Caffeine per Slice	Caffeine per 100g	Caffeine per 200 Calories
  8mg (2% UL)	6mg (2% UL)	3mg (1% UL)

  Nutrition Facts for Chocolate Cake With Frosting. (Source)

  Other baked goods containing caffeine include chocolate cake, chocolate-coated cookies, and anything with chocolate frosting.

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From the Nutrient Ranking Tool

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• Foods High in Caffeine
• Foods Low in Caffeine
• Vegetarian Foods High in Caffeine
• Breakfast Cereals High in Caffeine

View more nutrients with the nutrient ranking tool, or see ratios with the nutrient ratio tool.

Related

• Chocolate High in Theobromine
• High Sugar Foods
• High Potassium Foods
• High Sodium Foods

Data Sources and References

1. Wierzejska R. Dietary sources, health benefits, and risks of caffeine Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig. 2012;63(2):141-7. 22928360
2. O'Keefe JH, Bhatti SK, Patil HR, DiNicolantonio JJ, Lucan SC, Lavie CJ. Coffee for Cardioprotection and Longevity J Am Coll Cardiol. 2013 Sep 17;62(12):1043-1051. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2013.06.035. Epub 2013 Jul 17. 23871889
3. Higdon JV, Frei B. The Impact of Coffee on Health Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2006;46(2):101-23. doi: 10.1080/10408390500400009. 16507475
4. Wierzejska R. The Safety of Ingested Caffeine: A Comprehensive Review Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig. 2012;63(2):141-7. 22928360
5. Mackus M, van de Loo AJAE, Benson S, Scholey A, Verster JC. Caffeine in the Diet: Country-Level Consumption and Guidelines Appetite. 2016 Aug 1;103:353-357. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2016.04.038. Epub 2016 Apr 30. 27142708