If you have wandered around this blog, you may have noticed that I have the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine on my ‘faves’ list. Rightly deserving its place in my heart, it puts out the evidence that supports the movement towards more lifestyle-based solutions for many conditions. One area of interest that is particularly a passion for AzCIM’s founder, Dr. Andrew Weil, is the world of mental health. An excerpt from my Fellowship Training in Integrative Medicine was one that I think will really make you rethink your “just 1-2 cups of coffee a day” safe-place.
“A randomized, double-blind caffeine challenge study was
conducted in 28 patients with panic disorder (PD), 25 patients with generalized
social anxiety disorder (GSAD), 19 patients with performance social anxiety
disorder (PSAD), and 26 control subjects. None of the patients had taken any psychotropic medications in the
four weeks preceding the test. On two occasions 7 days apart, 480 mg of
caffeine and a caffeine-free solution were given to the participants and
anxiety scales were administered before and after each test. A panic attack was
induced in 17 (60.7%) PD patients, 10 (52.6%) PSAD patients, 4 (16.0%) GSAD
patients. None of the control subjects had a panic attack after the caffeine
intake and none of the patients or controls had a panic attack after drinking
the caffeine-free solution. This study confirmed what many clinicians and
nutritionists had long known–that patients with PD and PSAD are more sensitive
to the stimulant effects of caffeine than normal volunteers.”
Coffee
|
Type |
Caffeine |
|
Dunkin’ Donuts, brewed, 16 oz (480 |
143-206 |
|
Generic brewed, 8 oz (240 mL) |
95-200 |
|
Generic brewed, decaffeinated, 8 |
2-12 |
|
Generic instant, 8 oz (240 mL) |
27-173 |
|
Generic instant, decaffeinated, 8 |
2-12 |
|
Starbucks Espresso, 1 oz (30 mL) |
58-75 |
|
Starbucks Vanilla Latte, 16 oz |
150 |
Adapted from USDA National Nutrient
Database for Standard Reference, 2009; Center for Science in the Public
Interest, 2007; Journal of Analytical Toxicology, 2003.
Tea
|
Type |
Caffeine |
|
Brewed tea |
|
|
Black tea, 8 oz (240 mL) |
40-120 |
|
Black tea, decaffeinated, 8 oz |
2-10 |
|
Starbucks Tazo Chai Tea Latte, 16 |
100 |
|
Stash Premium Green, 6 oz (180 mL) |
26 |
|
Iced Tea |
|
|
Arizona Green Tea, 16 oz (480 mL) |
15 |
|
Generic instant mix, unsweetened, |
27 |
|
Generic instant mix, |
1 |
|
Lipton Brisk Lemon Iced Tea, 12 oz |
7 |
|
Nestea Iced Tea, 12 oz (355 mL) |
2 |
|
Snapple Plain Unsweetened, 16 oz |
18 |
Adapted from USDA National Nutrient
Database for Standard Reference, 2009; Center for Science in the Public
Interest, 2007; Journal of Analytical Toxicology, 2008.
Obviously, you can tell that I have no qualms about ‘outing’ any negative news about caffeine. I think it has a place in society, but it is all too often, misused and abused for more than just a warm, comforting liquid to start the day. In this day of ridiculously low attention to lifestyle as a major treatment for your chronic diseases, consider decreasing if not stopping your caffeine intake in order to better manage your anxiety conditions. What do you have to lose but the need for medication perhaps!
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