We are often asked what effect caffeine has on mental health and the use of EMPowerplus.
Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system (CNS), which means that it can weaken the balance of elements critical to CNS function. Research shows that excessive caffeine intake can actually make depressive symptoms worse!
For example, in a study using depressive patients consuming 750 mg or more of caffeine per day, 50% showed severe depression as rated on the Beck Depression Scale. These scores were significantly higher than low or moderate users of caffeine in the same population.1 According to the National Institute of Health, a moderate intake of caffeine would be 250 mg per day or less.
In our experience, heavy caffeine consumers generally respond more slowly to the Truehope program and may not realize the full healing potential of EMPowerplus. If you’re transitioning to EMPowerplus and heavily consume caffeine, we recommend setting a goal to reduce or eliminate your caffeine consumption. Doing so will allow EMPowerplus to work faster and more effectively for you.
How much caffeine do you consume? The reference chart below was compiled by the International Food Information Council.
| Item |
Milligrams (typical)
|
Caffeine range*
|
| Coffee (8 fl. oz. cup) | ||
| Brewed, drip method |
85
|
65–120
|
| Brewed, percolator |
75
|
60–85
|
| Decaffeinated, brewed |
3
|
2–4
|
| Espresso (1 fl. oz. serving) |
40
|
30–50
|
| Teas (8 fl. oz. cup) | ||
| Brewed |
40
|
20–90
|
| Instant |
28
|
24–31
|
| Iced (8 fl. oz. glass) |
25
|
9–50
|
| Some soft drinks (8 fl. oz.) |
24
|
20–40
|
| Energy drinks (8 fl. oz.) |
75
|
72–75
|
| Cocoa beverage (8 fl. oz.) |
6
|
3–32
|
| Chocolate milk beverage (8 fl. oz.) |
5
|
2–7
|
| Milk chocolate (1 oz.) |
6
|
1–15
|
| Dark chocolate, semi-sweet (1 oz.) |
20
|
5–35
|
| Baker’s chocolate (1 oz.) |
26
|
26
|
| Chocolate-flavoured syrup (1 fl. oz.) |
4
|
4
|
| *For the coffee and tea products, the range varies due to brewing method, plant variety, brand of product, etc. | ||
1Greden J. Caffeine and tobacco dependence, in Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry, Baltimore, William & Wilkins, 1985:1026–33