How long does caffeine from coffee as a stimulant stay in the body?

Milk tea contains caffeine, so switching from coffee to milk tea does not avoid the stimulant. Caffeine occurs naturally in over sixty plants, including coffee beans, tea leaves, kola nuts and cacao beans, and it is also added in synthetic form to medications, energy drinks and some chewing gum. A 225-gram cup of coffee holds 95 to 200 milligrams, while the same size cup of tea holds 14 to 60 milligrams.

How quickly the body clears caffeine depends on its half-life, which is why an afternoon drink can still affect sleep. A 340-gram can of cola contains roughly 35 to 45 milligrams, and a 225-gram can of energy drink about 70 to 100 milligrams, according to U.S. National Institutes of Health figures. Absorption speed, peak timing and individual factors all shape how long the effect lasts.

In the afternoon, you invite a friend to grab a coffee, only to be turned down with a casual "I'm afraid I won't be able to sleep tonight," and instead they order a milk tea—does this scene feel familiar? But what you may not know is that milk tea also contains caffeine. Caffeine is a natural stimulant widely found in over sixty plants, including coffee beans, tea leaves, kola nuts, and cacao beans, and it also appears in synthetic form in medications, energy drinks, and even chewing gum. The caffeine content varies considerably across different beverages: a cup of about 225 grams of coffee contains 95 to 200 milligrams, a can of about 340 grams of cola has roughly 35 to 45 milligrams, a can of about 225 grams of energy drink contains about 70 to 100 milligrams, and a cup of about 225 grams of tea ranges from 14 to 60 milligrams. This article walks you through how caffeine is absorbed, when it peaks, and its half-life in the body, as well as the factors that determine how quickly it is fully metabolized, helping you plan your coffee and milk tea drinking times more scientifically.

"It's three in the afternoon—shall we go grab a coffee?"

"No, no. If I drink coffee, I'll definitely have insomnia tonight. I'll just have a milk tea instead."

"???"

You want to invite a friend for coffee and afternoon tea, but they turn you down with "I'm afraid I won't be able to sleep," only to order a milk tea instead—this move really leaves you scratching your head.

Caffeine is a naturally occurring stimulant found in over sixty plants, such as coffee beans, tea leaves, kola nuts (used to flavor cola), and cacao pods (the raw material for chocolate products). In addition, there is synthetic caffeine, which is added to medications, foods, and beverages. For example, certain painkillers, cold medicines, and over-the-counter drugs used to stay alert contain synthetic caffeine. Common energy drinks on the market and some chewing gum and small snacks also have caffeine added.

The caffeine content in different foods and beverages varies greatly. According to data from the U.S. National Institutes of Health:

A cup of about 225 grams of coffee contains between 95 and 200 milligrams of caffeine.

A can of about 340 grams of cola contains 35 to 45 milligrams of caffeine.

A can of about 225 grams of energy drink contains 70 to 100 milligrams of caffeine.

A cup of about 225 grams of tea contains 14 to 60 milligrams of caffeine.

So milk tea actually does contain caffeine, though compared to coffee drinks, its caffeine content is usually lower.

As everyone knows, caffeine has multiple effects on the body: it stimulates the central nervous system, keeping people awake; it also promotes gastric acid secretion, and drinking too much may cause stomach discomfort.

If you're worried that caffeine intake will affect your sleep, it's necessary to understand how it works in the human body.

According to BBC Science Focus magazine, the effects of caffeine are usually noticeably felt about 10 minutes after ingestion, but it takes about 45 minutes to actually be absorbed by the small intestine and distributed to tissues throughout the body. Blood concentration peaks within 1 to 2 hours; if the same dose is taken in tablet form, the time to reach peak blood levels is often even longer.

For most people, the amount of caffeine in the body halves roughly every 3 to 7 hours (this varies from person to person), which is what's known as the caffeine half-life. Caffeine consumed at three in the afternoon is still 50% circulating in the body by bedtime.

So how long does it actually take for caffeine to be fully metabolized? There's really no standard answer. In 2019, medical doctor Ananya Mandal published an article pointing out that the duration of caffeine's effects varies from person to person, depending on the dose and individual factors including age, weight, pregnancy status, kidney health, and sensitivity to caffeine.

Caffeine is metabolized in the liver by the cytochrome P450 oxidase system, breaking down into three dimethylxanthines: paraxanthine (84%), theobromine (12%), and theophylline (4%). These metabolites are then further broken down, excreted in urine, and ultimately fully metabolized.

After reading this article, I believe you'll have a new understanding of your own "caffeine capacity." As for when it's best to drink coffee (or caffeinated beverages), you'll have to figure that out for yourself.

Image source: Internet

The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.