jmg@houxk.UUCP (11/02/83)
Some time ago I wrote a few articles about problems I experienced with caffeine. Today I came across a little pamphlet called "Caffeine: Birth Defects and More" by Dr. Ronald W. Thompson, Director, Nutritional Education, General Nutrition Corporation, 1301 39th St. N., Box 349, Fargo, ND 58107 (701) 282-2300. The text of the pamphlet is as follows: FDA WORRIED OVER POSSIBILITY THAT CAFFEINE MAY CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS - REMOVE CAFFEINE FROM GOVERNMENT LIST OF SUBSTANCES "GENERALLY RECOGNIZED AS SAFE." BIRTH DEFECTS CONCERN Recent scientific studies of the effect of caffeine on laboratory rats have shown that caffeine can cause birth defects ranging from cleft palate to missing toes to delayed skeletal development. Various defects could be produced at a caffeine intake ranging from the equivalent of drinking 2 cups of coffee to 12 to 24 cups of coffee each day; an intake that the Food and Drug Administration feels is not far beyond the level a human might receive from beverages and drugs. While not yet certain that caffeine related birth defects can occur in humans as it does in rats, Food and Drug Commissioner Jere Goyan stated, "The findings have caused enough concern among FDA scientists that today I am advising pregnant women to avoid caffeine-containing food and drugs, or to use them sparingly... The scientific evidence on caffeine is inconclusive... but the evidence to date is sufficient for us to raise the warning flag..." Caffeine can cross the placenta to the developing baby. But, mothers who nurse should know that caffeine can also get into breast milk. Mothers should be concerned about the possibility of any drug getting into their milk while they nurse, and they should remember that caffeine is a drug. CAFFEINE AND BREAST DISEASE The lumps, thickenings and nodules that appear in breasts of women with a condition called fibrocystic breast disease are harmless (benign), but it is difficult for a physician to definitely distinguish them from cancerous lumps in the breast. Since the lumps are difficult to distinguish from cancerous ones and women with fibrocystic breast disease have an increased risk of developing breast cancer anyway, physicians frequently recommend that patients undergo the inconvenience and discomfort of breast biopsy. Dr. John P. Minton and co-workers at Ohio State University Medical School recently presented evidence that caffeine may be involved in the development of breast lumps in fibrocystic disease. Forty-seven women with this disease were advised to stop taking caffeine and caffeine-related substances in both liquids and foods. Twenty women accepted this advice and 13 (65%) experienced relief of symptoms and disappearance of breast lumps in 1 to 6 months. Of the seven who did not experience relief initially, three stopped smoking and continued to avoid caffeine and then symptoms disappeared. Only one of the twenty-seven women who did not take Dr. Minton's advice experienced relief; the remaining 26 women were required to undergo biopsy to determine if the lumps were cancerous. The concern over caffeine possibly causing birth defects and possible relationship to breast disease is surprising news to most Americans. The fact that caffeine can affect nerves is not. CAFFEINE NERVES Most Americans already know that while the first cup of coffee or tea provides a lift to start the day, that fourth, fifth or more cup can set your nerves jangling. This condition, known as coffee nerves or caffeinism, can produce symptoms that include lightheadedness, heart palpitation, loose stools, headache and inability to fall asleep or stay asleep at night. Including children, each American consumes an average of 200 milligrams of caffeine each day. Half of this amount is enough to produce significant bodily effects in most people. It has been estimated that 30% of Americans take between 500 and 600 milligrams of caffeine per day and 10% may use more than 1000 milligrams each day. It is not generally known that caffeine is a weakly addictive drug and as such can produce "withdrawal" when people stop using it. Symptoms, including fatigue and headache, can appear 24 to 48 hours after a heavy caffeine user quits. The headache generally can be relieved only by more caffeine. This problem may not be uncommon in people who drink a lot of coffee or tea while at work but quit over the weekend. It's not just caffeine that can cause a problem. Theobromine is a substance that has effects on the body similar to caffeine. Theobromine and caffeine are found in cocoa and chocolate-type products. If you want to cut down on caffeine there is a source besides coffee, tea, cocoa and chocolate that you should be concerned about - soft drinks. WHAT ABOUT THE KIDS? America's desire for soft drinks is unbelievable! Almost 8 billion gallons are guzzled each year. Most Americans aren't aware that many of these mixtures of sweetened water, carbon dioxide and various chemical colors and flavors also contain caffeine. In fact, two servings of three of the most popular cola drinks contain about 72 milligrams of caffeine. A cup of tea or coffee contains anywhere from 60 to 150 milligrams of caffeine. A single cup of cocoa can have as much as 13 milligrams per cup. Most mothers wouldn't think of giving their children four or five cups of coffee a day, yet frequently let them drink that many cola beverages. It's not just that all that sugar isn't good for them, but all that caffeine may be part of the reason why they can't sit still very long. Cocoa contains caffeine and, strangely enough, cocoa drinks are popular evening drinks for children; supposedly to relax them before bed time. Many parents just aren't aware that it's possible their children may actually be drinking more caffeine than they are through "hidden" caffeine in soft drinks and cocoa. THE ALTERNATIVES Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant. Cutting down on it can avoid "coffee nerves" and the problems related to it. Most of the time a lot of coffee and tea is drunk more out of habit than anything else. You can develop new habits that avoid the caffeine yet still provide the satisfaction of a hot drink. Delicious caffeine free teas are available. These teas are not "decaffeinated", but rather are made from herbs that do not have caffeine in them. Herb tea mixtures contain less caffeine than than traditional black teas, but can contain caffeine depending on the mixture. And, of course, there are decaffeinated coffees. Try juice as a replacement for soft drinks, for the kids, and for yourself. Not only are there a wide variety of tasty fruit juices but delicious combinations as well. Try the commercially prepared selection or mix your own combination to suit your taste. Delicious, and fun too. There are other advantages to using juices besides the good taste. They contain no caffeine but do provide vitamins and minerals. You can cut down on sugar consumption too by selecting unsweetened juices or juices sweetened with fructose or honey. Take care of yourself and the children. Cut down on drinking caffeine. Use caffeine free tea, decaffeinated coffee or juice. CAFFEINE AND RELATED SUBSTANCES IN FOODS: milligrams per cup Coffee instant 61-70 percolated 97-125 drip 137-153 Tea weak 8 strong 46 instant 31 Cocoa 13 milligrams per 12 oz. Carbonated soft drinks Coke 65 Tab 50 Pepsi 43 Mountain Dew 55 Other foods Almond milk chocolate bars about 6 milligrams caffeine brownies and 60 milligrams theobromine other chocolate candy per oz. sweet chocolate sauce Chocolate-flavored cake, roll cake, about 3 milligrams caffeine cookies, chiffon pie, and 30 milligrams theobromine parfait, doughnuts, per oz. candy bars, peanut butter cups