Abstract
Eighty-percent of the US adult population regularly consumes caffeine, but limited
information is available on the extent and patterns of use. Caffeine use is a public
health issue and its risks and benefits are regularly considered in scientific literature
and the lay media. Recently, new caffeine-containing products have been introduced
and are widely available on Army bases and are added to rations to maintain cognitive
performance. This study surveyed caffeine consumption and demographic characteristics
in 990 US Army soldiers. Data were weighted by age, sex, rank, and Special Forces
status. Total caffeine intake and intake from specific products were estimated. Logistic
regression was used to examine relationships between caffeine use and soldier demographic
and lifestyle characteristics. Eighty-two percent of soldiers consumed caffeine at
least once a week. Mean daily caffeine consumption was 285 mg/day (347 mg/day among
regular caffeine consumers). Male soldiers consumed, on average, 303 mg/day and females
163 mg/day (regular consumers: 365 mg/day for male soldiers, 216 mg/day for female
soldiers). Coffee was the main source of caffeine intake. Among young males, energy
drinks were the largest source of caffeine intake, but their intake was not greater
than older males. Regression analysis indicated an association of higher caffeine
intake with male sex, white race, and tobacco use (P<0.01). Most soldiers consume caffeine in levels accepted as safe, but some consume
greater quantities than recommended, although definitive information on safe upper
limits of caffeine intake is not available. Labels of caffeine-containing products
should provide caffeine content so individuals can make informed decisions.
Keywords
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Biography
H. R. Lieberman is a research psychologist, Military Nutrition Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA.
Biography
S. McGraw is a research nutritionist, Military Nutrition Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA.
Biography
T. Stavinoha is chief, Performance Nutrition Services, Evans Community Hospital, Ft Carson, CO; at the time of the study, she was a registered dietitian, Military Nutrition Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA.
Biography
A. White is a principal associate, Abt Associates, Inc, Durham, NC.
Biography
L. Hadden is lead programmer analyst, Abt Associates Inc, Cambridge, MA.
Biography
B. P. Marriott is professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of South Carolina, Charleston; at the time of the study, she was a principal associate at Abt Associates, Inc, Durham, NC.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 23, 2012
Accepted:
February 1,
2012
Footnotes
FUNDING/SUPPORT Support for this research was provided by the US Army Medical Research and Material Command and the Department of Defense Center Alliance for Dietary Supplement Research.
STATEMENT OF POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST H. R. Lieberman has occasionally consulted for, and been reimbursed for travel to meetings, by manufacturers of caffeine-containing products and manufacturers of products that compete with caffeine-containing products. The other authors of this article have no conflict of interest to disclose.
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
