www.migraineagain.com Open in urlscan Pro
95.100.153.80  Public Scan

Form analysis
2 forms found in the DOM

<form>
  <div data-component="newsletter-widget-title" class="styled__WidgetTitle-sc-1sl26qs-2 jWtoLN">
    <div style="overflow:hidden;box-sizing:border-box;display:inline-block;position:relative;width:22px;height:21px"><noscript><img alt="newsletter icon"
          srcset="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.migraineagain.com%2Fimages%2Fnewsletter_icon.svg&amp;w=32&amp;q=75 1x, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.migraineagain.com%2Fimages%2Fnewsletter_icon.svg&amp;w=48&amp;q=75 2x"
          src="https://images.migraineagain.com/images/newsletter_icon.svg" decoding="async"
          style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%"></noscript><img
        alt="newsletter icon" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async"
        style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%"></div><span>NEWSLETTER</span>
  </div>
  <h3 data-component="newsletter-title" class="headings__H3-sc-9amwkc-2 styled__NewsletterTitle-sc-1sl26qs-3 iSRhuw cWlpih">Sign up for our Newsletter to get weekly fresh content</h3>
  <div class="styled__InfoSection-sc-1sl26qs-4 jCZJvs">
    <div class="styled__ControlsWrapper-sc-1sl26qs-5"><input type="text" name="email" placeholder="Email Address" data-component="newsletter-input" class="styled__Input-sc-1sl26qs-7 GQXNy"><button data-component="newsletter-cta-button"
        class="styled__Button-sc-1sl26qs-11 jxKGKt">Subscribe</button>
      <div data-component="newsletter-privacy-label" class="styled__PrivacyLabel-sc-1sl26qs-13 ktWjsF">By subscribing you agree to the<!-- -->
        <a href="https://www.migraineagain.com/terms-of-use/" target="_self" class="styled__AnchorStyled-sc-1sl26qs-14 bUNLCA" data-component="" aria-label="" title="">Terms of Use</a> <!-- -->and<!-- -->
        <a href="https://www.migraineagain.com/privacy-policy/" target="_self" class="styled__AnchorStyled-sc-1sl26qs-14 bUNLCA" data-component="" aria-label="" title="">Privacy Policy</a>.</div>
    </div>
  </div>
</form>

<form><input type="text" placeholder="Email Address" data-component="footer-newsletter-input" name="email" class="styled__Input-qvi34q-6 zSrRm"><button type="submit" class="styled__StyledButton-sc-7fbk28-0 fdZZfW">Subscribe</button></form>

Text Content

 1. Guide Me
    1. I'm Not Sure if I Have Migraine
    2. How Do I Prevent the Next Migraine Attack?
    3. Nobody Understands Me
    4. I Want to Try a New Treatment
    See More
 2. Symptoms & Causes
    1. Diagnosis
    2. Causes & Triggers
    3. Types & Patterns
    4. Signs & Symptoms
    See More
 3. Prevention
    1. Behavioral Therapy
    2. Natural Remedies
    3. Nutrition & Supplements
    4. Medication & Devices
    See More
 4. Self Care
    1. Mental Wellness
    2. Meal Planning
    3. Sleep
    4. Exercise
    5. Other Self-Care
    See More
 5. Treatment
    1. Alternative Therapy
    2. Diet & Nutrition
    3. Emergency Care
    4. Insurance
    5. Medical
    See More
 6. Work & Life
    1. Finances
    2. Play
    3. Relationships
    4. School
    5. Work
    See More
 7. Community
    1. Advocacy
    2. Polls & Surveys
    3. Real Stories
    4. Tips
    See More

Newsletter

Advertisement
Symptoms & CausesCauses & Triggers


WHAT’S THE TEA ON CAFFEINE CONTENT IN YOUR FAVORITE DRINKS, FOODS, AND MEDS?

By LaQuinda McCoyMedically Reviewed by Cynthia Armand, MDLast Updated: Jan 14,
2022

Medically Reviewed


Evidence-Based



Do you feel like a zombie without your morning cup of coffee? Or, maybe you find
yourself reaching for an afternoon iced coffee or an energy drink for that extra
pick-me-up. If so, you’re far from alone. Especially here in the migraine
community, we know that too much of anything usually isn’t a good thing. Like
many people, you could be overindulging in caffeine, and it might be affecting
your migraine condition.

Migraine or not, we are a coffee drinking culture. In 2020, the National Coffee
Association (NCA) released a survey that shows that 62% of Americans drink
coffee every day — with an average of about three cups a day — a 5% increase in
coffee consumption since 2015. 


That comes as no surprise, seeing as you can hardly go anywhere these days
without seeing coffee shops like Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks dotting every
corner. But do you really know the caffeine content in that cup of coffee you’re
grabbing at the drive-through on your way to work? Or how caffeine affects you?



Before you order your next double shot or cold brew coffee, here are a few
things to keep in mind about that happy little molecule we call caffeine.


WHAT IS CAFFEINE?

Caffeine is a natural stimulant that has been around since the 18th century. It
provides us with boosts of energy, heightened alertness, and increased mood.
Once caffeine is absorbed into the bloodstream, it travels to the brain. It then
stimulates the neurotransmitters adenosine, dopamine, and norepinephrine,
causing excitability of the nervous system.

While most people probably think of coffee when they hear the word caffeine, the
truth is that caffeine can be found in some pretty surprising items such as
chocolate, some over-the-counter and prescription medications, certain dietary
supplements, packaged foods, coffee-flavored ice cream, and even some chewing
gums. And of course, it’s prevalent in energy drinks, many soft drinks, and
certain teas.


CAFFEINE CONTENT IN FOODS AND MEDICINE 

The key to monitoring your caffeine intake is to read labels carefully. However,
this is tricky because the FDA currently does not require the caffeine quantity
to be indicated on beverages or foods. 

And thanks to those sneaky sources, you may be consuming even more caffeine than
you thought.

You may be wondering, how much caffeine in a cup of coffee or in your favorite
coffee drinks? Or, does green tea have caffeine? How much caffeine does
chocolate have? Are decaf beverages truly caffeine-free?

This handy chart will give you an idea of how much caffeine you might be
consuming in certain foods, drinks, and medications: 






HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH CAFFEINE?

If you are a daily caffeine drinker, you might notice needing to drink more over
time to feel the effects. That’s because the more you ingest long term, the
higher your tolerance; your body will demand higher quantities to produce the
desired effects. Where one cup of brewed coffee in the morning may have gotten
you through the day, you may find yourself craving a Starbucks coffee or an
espresso-based drink by lunchtime. 

Caffeine absorbs within 45 minutes after ingestion and peaks in the blood
anywhere from 15 minutes to two hours after consumption. 

Experts suggest that caffeine intake of 400 mg a day is considered safe in
healthy individuals.  


Anything more than that and you could be in for a nasty case of the jitters for
a few hours, or worse: Caffeine in large quantities can cause an overdose,
although that’s rare. The U.S. National Poison Data System received over 48,000
caffeine-related calls between 2000-2014. Symptoms of caffeine overdose can
include:

 * Vomiting
 * Hallucinations
 * Disorientation
 * Seizures
 * Chest pain

The effects of caffeine will vary depending on amount of consumption, as well as
the age, gender, weight, and water intake of the person ingesting it. 

And for those of us with migraine, caffeine can be both friend and foe.
Sometimes it can help stop a migraine attack or headache in its tracks, but on
the other hand, withdrawal from it can trigger one.


CAFFEINE AND HEADACHES

Many people with headache and migraine tend to reach for a caffeine-containing
product — such as Excedrin Migraine, which contains 130 mg of caffeine per
two-capsule dose — to ease head pain. This caffeine content may seem like a
reasonable amount in the short term, but combining it with other
caffeine-related products can quickly add up, and pretty soon you’re consuming
more caffeine than you realized. Long-term usage of some pain relievers,
especially those containing caffeine, can lead to medication overuse headache
(also known as medication adaptation headache). 


The International Headache Society suggests that regular consumption of caffeine
in doses of more than 200 mg per day can cause headaches. 

Long-term use of caffeine produces overstimulation of adenosine receptors. 

At the same time, when caffeine ingestion is abruptly stopped, vasodilation of
the blood vessels expands and increases the flow to the brain, causing head
pain.


WHY IS CAFFEINE USED IN SOME MEDICATIONS?

Caffeine is considered an adjuvant therapy, which, put simply, means that it
magnifies the effects of other medications. Studies show that combining caffeine
with aspirin and acetaminophen increases the strength by 40%. That explains why
caffeine is an active ingredient in so many of the medications people with
migraine reach for, including Excedrin Migraine, Excedrin Tension Headache,
Fioricet (butalbital/acetaminophen) and even certain brands of cold medicines. 



HOW TO SAFELY CUT BACK ON CAFFEINE

Once you have an idea how much caffeine you’re really consuming, you might
decide it’s time to cut back. But how can you do that without triggering a
headache or migraine attack? Here are a few tips:

 * Take it slow and steady.
 * Keep track of your daily caffeine consumption, and substitute with
   non-caffeinated beverages — ideally, water. To break a caffeine addiction
   with minimal side effects, you will need to do this for weeks continually.
 * Adjust your brewing method on caffeinated teas. Shortening the brew time
   results in less caffeine, while a longer brew time results in slightly more
   caffeine.

If you love coffee and tea and don’t want to give them up completely, perhaps an
obvious solution is to switch to decaf. But even that’s not so simple.




ARE DECAF BEVERAGES REALLY CAFFEINE-FREE?

Before you order your next decaf beverage, you might think by name, it means
there is no caffeine. But while the decaffeination process removes about 97% of
caffeine, there is no way to eliminate caffeine entirely, unfortunately. And
since the FDA does not regulate decaf beverages, there may still be trace
amounts in drinks. A cup of your favorite decaf black tea or coffee still has a
range of about 2-4 mg of caffeine remaining.


HOW IS CAFFEINE REMOVED FROM BEVERAGES?

The decaffeination process of coffee involves the use of chemicals, usually
ethyl acetate or methylene chloride. Coffee beans can either be steamed and
raised with these chemicals or processed in a caffeine-loaded water bath for
hours. In both cases, coffee-bean-flavored solution is added back to the beans.
Some people don’t like the chemical aspect of the decaffeination process, which
is why the Swiss Water Process (SWP) is an attractive healthier option. This
patented method results in a chemical-free, naturally decaffeinated beverage in
which 99.9% of the caffeine content has been removed. Sounds great, right? Let's
dig a little deeper. 



WHAT IS THE SWISS WATER PROCESS?

The Swiss Water Process works by soaking coffee beans in water to discard
caffeine using activated carbon filters. Decaffeinating the beans before they
are roasted and ground helps retain the flavor profile minus the caffeine. In
other words, those brain-boosting antioxidants and that earthy taste so many
people love and crave are preserved. 

This could be an excellent alternative for those who don't like the sometimes
weird after-taste of decaf coffee. Vestibular migraine patient and author of
“The Dizzy Cook” Alicia Wolf recommends mixing your regular coffee with SWP
decaf, gradually decreasing the amount of your regular coffee over time.



CAFFEINE-FREE ALTERNATIVES

But what if coffee isn’t your, well, cup of tea, but you still want that energy
boost sans caffeine? Fortunately, there are alternatives for the
Starbucks-averse among us:

 * Chicory root is a woody, herbaceous plant that has a similar taste to coffee.
   It also has the benefits of supporting healthy digestion and gut bacteria.
 * Rooibos tea has a sweet, earthy taste and contains antioxidants that boost
   overall health.
 * Herbal teas such as turmeric, peppermint, and ginger teas have specific
   health benefits, such as reducing inflammation, digestive discomfort, or
   nausea.
 * Sparkling water is an attractive alternative option to soft drinks. It
   provides hydration with fewer calories. Plus, it offers the same bubbly
   effect as your favorite soda.
 * Carob is a fruit derived from the pods of the carob tree. It is often used as
   substitute for chocolate, but it’s naturally sweeter, thanks to the high
   sugar content. “The flavors will be a bit different between carob and cocoa,”
   says Margaret Slavin, associate professor of nutrition and food studies at
   George Mason University. "The extraction of caffeine and its cousin,
   theobromine, makes carob less bitter.” This might be worth a try if you're
   looking for a caffeine-free chocolate dupe.


IS CAFFEINE A TRIGGER OR A TREATMENT?

It seems there is a love-hate relationship with caffeine when it comes to
helping or hurting our heads. “I think one concept that is a bit overlooked is
that of [caffeine as] a trigger,” says Cynthia E. Armand, MD, assistant
professor of neurology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. “Caffeine is
a commonly reported migraine trigger; however, that is not the case with all
individuals living with migraine. If one is curious about individual effects of
caffeine, an intake diary can be elucidating,” she advises.



Here is what a few people in our community had to say:

"Sometimes it seems like a trigger, other times it doesn't. It's a lottery!"
says Katie C.

“Sometimes it helps me, and sometimes it makes it worse," says Ivonne C.

"Sodas and coffee are OK; however, energy drinks provide instant pain," says
Kaitlin H.

"I drink two cups of coffee each morning; no more unless a migraine attack
begins, then a strong cup of coffee with meds helps," says Norma M.

It’s clear that we do love to consume caffeine. And while there’s no reason to
completely ditch your beloved coffee beans or English Breakfast tea bags, it’s a
good idea to keep your favorite drink’s caffeine content in mind. Like
everything else, caffeine should be enjoyed in moderation. Keep track of how
caffeine consumption affects your migraine attacks, and watch for it in those
sneaky, surprising sources. And the next time you roll through that drive
through, or reach for that energy drink or piece of chocolate when you’re
dragging in the afternoon, reference the above handy chart to see just what kind
of a jolt you’re in for.

Editorial Sources and Fact Checking


SOURCES

 * Understanding Caffeine Headaches. American Migraine Foundation. December
   2017.
   
   view more

 * Caffeine. Harvard: The Nutrition Source.
   
   view more

 * Fried N, Elliot M, Oshinsky M. The Role of Adenosine Signaling in Headache: A
   Review. Brain Sciences. March 2017.
   
   view more

 * Neves Da Silva A, Lake A. Clinical Aspects of Medication Overuse Headache.
   The Journal of Head and Face Pain. October 2013.
   
   view more

 * Does Caffeine Trigger or Treat Headaches? National Headache Foundation. 2019.
   
   view more

 * Tornstrom K. Does caffeine treat or trigger headaches? Mayo Clinic Health
   System: Speaking of Health. October 2020.
   
   view more

 * Espinosa Jovel CA, Sobrino Mejia FE. Caffeine and Headache: Specific Remarks.
   Neurologia. July-August 2017.
   
   view more

 * Nawrot P, Jordan S, Eastwood J, et al. Effects of caffeine on human health.
   Food Additives and Contaminants. January 2003.
   
   view more

 * Decaffeinated Coffee Beans. Coffee Research Science.
   
   view more

 * NCA releases Atlas of American Coffee. National Coffee Association. March
   2020.
   
   view more

 * Lipton R, Diener HC, Robbins M, et al. Caffeine in the management of patients
   with headache. The Journal of Headache and Pain. 2017.
   
   view more

 * Kole J, Barnhill A. Caffeine Content Labeling: A Missed Opportunity for
   Promoting Personal and Public Health. Journal of Caffeine Research. September
   2013.
   
   view more

 * McGuire S. “Institute of Medicine. 2014. Caffeine in Food and Dietary
   Supplements: Examining Safety—Workshop Summary. Washington, DC: The National
   Academies Press, 2014.” Advances in Nutrition. September 2014.
   
   view more

 * Ramalakshmi K, Raghavan B. Caffeine in coffee: its removal. Why and how?
   Critical reviews in food science and nutrition. September 1999.
   
   view more

 *  
   
   Martínez Leal J, Valenzuela Suárez L, Jayabalan R. A review on health
   benefits of kombucha nutritional compounds and metabolites. CyTA: Journal of
   Food. 2018.
   
   view more

Show Less

Advertisement

NEWSLETTER


SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER TO GET WEEKLY FRESH CONTENT

Subscribe
By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.



LATEST UNDER SYMPTOMS AND CAUSES




POST COVID-19 SYNDROME FOR PEOPLE WITH MIGRAINE: GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS --
MIGRAINE AGAIN

By Suzanne MarmionJan 12, 2022


ARE HALLUCINATIONS A SYMPTOM OF A MIGRAINE ATTACK? - MIGRAINE AGAIN

By Jessica Ailani, MDDec 9, 2021


NO HOLIDAY HEADACHE: 7 TIPS FOR MORE COMFORT AND JOY

By Paula DumasDec 2, 2021


BRAIN FOG AND MEMORY LOSS: 5 WAYS MIGRAINE MESSES WITH YOUR THINKING

By Angie GlaserNov 24, 2021


WHAT IS TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA? EXPERT ANSWERS TO FAQS ABOUT FACIAL PAIN -
MIGRAINE AGAIN

By Jessica Ailani, MDNov 24, 2021


FERMENTED FOODS AND DRINKS: SAFE OR RISKY FOR PEOPLE WITH MIGRAINE? - MIGRAINE
AGAIN

By Courtney KilianNov 16, 2021


HOW ARE FIBROMYALGIA AND MIGRAINE RELATED? - MIGRAINE AGAIN

By Jessica Ailani, MDNov 3, 2021


TMD, TMJ, AND MIGRAINE: IS YOUR JAW AFFECTING YOUR HEAD PAIN? - MIGRAINE AGAIN

By Jessica Ailani, MDOct 26, 2021


SUGAR AND MIGRAINE: HOW YOUR CRAVINGS CAN HURT - MIGRAINE AGAIN

By Paula DumasOct 22, 2021


"BE PERSISTENT. DON’T GIVE UP. THERE IS LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL"

By Community MemberOct 21, 2021


GET A HEADACHE ON THE PLANE? KNOW THIS BEFORE BOARDING - MIGRAINE AGAIN

By Paula DumasJul 22, 2021


SUMMER MIGRAINES: HOW TO ENJOY THE SEASON WITH LESS PAIN

By Meighan SembranoJun 14, 2021


Advertisement


MIGRAINE AGAIN


 * About Us
 * Meet the Team
 * Editorial Policy
 * Non-Profit Partners
 * Advertise with Us
 * Privacy Policy
 * Accessibility Statement
 * Terms of Use
 * Contact Us
 * Notice to California Consumers

NEWSLETTER


SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER TO GET WEEKLY FRESH CONTENT

Subscribe
By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
A PROPERTY OF

More From Everyday Health:Castle Connolly Top DoctorsDaily OMDiabetes
DailyEveryday HealthEveryday Health Care
© 2022 Everyday Health, Inc. Everyday Health is among the federally registered
trademarks of Everyday Health, Inc. and may not be used by third parties without
explicit permission.



We need your consent to proceed
We use cookies to personalize and enhance your experience on our site. Visit our
Privacy Policy for more information on our data collection practices. By
clicking Accept, you agree to our use of cookies for the purposes listed in our
Cookie Consent Tool.
To see a complete list of the companies that use these cookies and other
technologies and to tell us whether they can be used on your device or not,
access our Cookie Consent Tool.

You will see this message only once, but you will always be able to set your
preferences at any time in the Cookie Consent Tool. In addition, find more
information about the use of cookies and similar technologies on this site in
our Cookie Notice.
When you proceed to access our site, the companies listed in the Cookie Consent
Tool will use cookies and other technologies. This is further explained in our
Cookie Notice.
AdChoicesAgree and Access Site
Close  ✖