Caffeine is something that on average 90% of Americans enjoy, but it can also be a headache trigger or headache inhibitor. Caffeine is all around us, and can be found in a number of beverages, chocolate and even in some popular over-the-counter and prescription pain relievers, but how is it affecting our heads?
The Buzz on Caffeine
Before a headache or migraine, blood vessels tend to enlarge, but caffeine has “vasoconstrictive” properties that cause the blood vessels to narrow and restrict blood flow, which can aid in head pain relief. When caffeine is added to the combination of acetaminophen and aspirin, the pain relieving effect is increased by 40%. If you feel a headache coming on, a cup of joe might lessen the severity of your symptoms.
On the other hand, though caffeine does not directly cause headache, too much of the substance can trigger “caffeine rebound.” A caffeine rebound headache occurs from withdrawals of caffeine after a sufferer continually consumes too much of it. Though the physical side effects can be severe, only 2% of the population suffers from caffeine rebound.
Although most headache sufferers can consume up to 200 mg. per day, the NHF advises patients with frequent headaches to avoid daily use. But this doesn’t mean you have to cut your caffeine off, try slowly decreasing your intake, and remember it’s always best to enjoy in moderation.
PRODUCT —MILLIGRAMS OF CAFFEINE (APPROXIMATE)
Coffee (5 oz. cup)
Drip, regular—106-164 mg Percolated, regular—93-134 mg Instant, regular—47-68 mg Decaffeinated—2-5 mg Espresso (1 oz. cup)—30-50 mg
Loose-leaf tea (imported, 5 oz. cup)
Black—25-110 mg
Oolong—12-55 mg
Green—8-36 mg
Tea (black tea assumed, 5 oz. cup)
Brewed, major U.S. brands
-1 minute brew—20-80 mg
-3 minute brew—21-33 mg
-5 minute brew—35-46 mg
Canned iced tea—39-50 mg
Iced tea (12 oz.)—67-76 mg
Instant tea—22-36 mg
Cocoa and chocolate
Cocoa beverage (mix, 6 oz.)—2-8 mg
Milk chocolate (1 oz.)—6 mg
Baking chocolate (1 oz.)—35 mg
Sweet chocolate (1 oz.)—20 mg
Ovaltine—0 mg
Postum—0 mg
Soft drinks
Mr. Pibb, diet (12 oz.)—57 mg
Mountain Dew (12 oz.)—54 mg
Coca-Cola, Diet Coke (12 oz.)—46 mg
Tab (12 oz.)—46 mg
Shasta Cola (12 oz.)—45 mg
Mr. Pibb (12 oz.)—44 mg
Dr. Pepper (12 oz.)—41 mg
Pepsi (12 oz.)—38 mg
Diet Pepsi (12 oz.)—36 mg
Diet Rite (12 oz.)—36 mg
Royal Crown Cola (12 oz.)—36 mg
Cragmont Cola—0 mg
7-Up—0 mg
Sprite—0 mg
Fanta—0 mg
Fresca—0 mg
Root beer—0 mg
Club soda—0 mg
Ginger ale—0 mg
Tonic water—0 mg
Orange soda—0 mg
Grape soda—0 mg
Sports/Energy drinks
AMP tall boy (16 oz.)—143 mg
Enviga (12 oz.)—100 mg
FIXX (20 oz.)—500 mg
Full Throttle (16 oz.)—144 mg
Full Throttle Fury (16 oz.)—144 mg
Monster Energy (16 oz.)—160 mg
No Name (formerly known as Cocaine) (8.4 oz.)—280 mg
Red Bull (8.3 oz.)—76 mg
Rockstar (16 oz.)—160 mg
SoBe Adrenaline Rush (16 oz.)—152 mg
SoBe No Fear (16 oz.)—174 mg
Vault (8 oz.)—47 mg
Food/Other products
Foosh energy mints (1 mint)—100 mg
Haagen-Dazs coffee ice cream (.5 cup)—30 mg
Hershey’s chocolate bar (1.55 oz.)—9 mg
Hershey’s special dark chocolate bar (1.45 oz.)—18 mg
Jolt caffeinated gum (1 stick)—33 mg
Non-prescription stimulants
Caffedrine capsules—200 mg
NoDoz tablets—200 mg
NoDoz maximum strength (1 tablet)—200 mg
Vivarian tablets—200 mg
Non-prescription pain relievers
Advil—0 mg
Anacin—32 mg
Bufferin—0 mg
Excedrin Migraine—65 mg
Excedrin Extra Strength (2 tablets)—130 mg
Midol—32 mg
Motrin—0 mg
Plain aspirin—0 mg
Tylenol—0 mg
Vanquish—33 mg
Diuretics
Aqua Ban—200 mg
Fluidex—0 mg
Permathene water off—200 mg
Pre-Mens Forte—100 mg
Cold Remedies
Actified—0 mg
Contac—0 mg
Comtrex—0 mg
Coryban-D.—30 mg
Dristan—16 mg
Neo-synephrine—15 mg
Sudafed—0 mg
Triaminicin—30 mg