Blood Pressure and Caffeine Major Sources

The prevailing wisdom is that caffeine raises blood pres­sure only temporarily and that the body adapts to the caf­feine; thus, it is not a threat for people with high blood pressure over the long term. Some experts, including psy­chiatrist Dr. James D. Lane at Duke University Medical Cen­ter, disagree. Dr. Lane says his studies show that regular use of caffeine can keep blood pressure elevated, increas­ing normal blood pressure by ten or so points, enough to push a person over the edge into a high blood pressure cat­egory.

The rise appears greater in older people with high blood pressure, according to other research. A study at the West Australian Heart Research Institute in Perth showed that systolic blood pressure was nearly 5 points higher and dias­tolic pressure 3 points higher in older coffee drinkers (300 milligrams caffeine per day or 5 small cups of coffee) than in non-coffee-drinkers.

Dr. Lane firmly believes caffeine is an overlooked con­tributor to high blood pressure. His advice for those with high blood pressure: Gradually give up caffeine for a few weeks and see if blood pressure declines.

Milligrams

Coffee:

Brewed, 8 ounces                                            135

Instant, 8 ounces                                                95

Starbucks espresso, 1 ounce                              89

Decaffeinated coffee, 8 ounces                          .5

Tea:

Lipton tea, 8 ounces                                     35-40
Snapple ice tea, all varieties,                  16-ounce bottle 48

Herbal tea, all varieties                                        0
Soda:                                                       12 ounces

Jolt                                                                     71

Josta                                                                  58

Mountain Dew                                                   55

Diet Coke                                                          47

Coca-Cola                                                          45

Dr. Pepper                                                         41

Sunkist Orange Soda                                          40

Pepsi-Cola                                                         37

7-UP                                                                    0

Sprite                                                                   0

Caffeinated Waters:                                       16.9 ounces

Java Water                                                       125

Krank20                                                          100

Aqua Blast                                                         90

Water Joe                                                     60-70

Aqua Java                                                    50-60

Ice Cream: 1 cup

Ben & Jerry’s No Fat Coffee                             85

Starbucks Coffee Ice Cream                         40-60

Haagen-Dazs Coffee                                             30

Yogurt:                                                 8 ounces

Source: The Center for Science in the Public Interest based on data from the National Coffee Association, the National Soft Drink Association, the Tea Council of the USA, and information provided by food and beverage companies, and J.J. Barone, H.R. Roberts (1996) “Caffeine Consump­tion,” Food Chemistry and Toxicology.