Nov 19, 2008 7:52 pm US/Eastern
HealthWatch: Strips Test Caffeine Level In Coffee
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
Have you ever wondered if your cup of decaf is really decaffeinated? Now there's a way to find out.
About 15 percent of coffee drinkers choose decaf.
Even though most decaf cups have less caffeine than regular brew, the Food and Drug Administration doesn't monitor the levels – so you could be getting an unexpected, or unwanted, jolt.
One savvy research group is aiming to change that.
Even decaf coffee has some caffeine in it, and now java enthusiasts can test each cup before they drink it.
"First of all, I've got high blood pressure," coffee drinker Lou Brusco said. "It's no good for me, and I can't sleep with the caffeine."
"The caffeine varies from 5 milligrams up to 500 milligrams in a cup of coffee," Dr. Franz Messerli, of St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital, said.
Silver Lake Research Group is marketing new test strips you can dip right into your cup.
If the coffee has under 20 milligrams of caffeine, it's considered decaf – more than that, and it's caffeinated.
"If I was one to not have, or medically needed to not have caffeine, I would definitely purchase them," one New York woman said.
Caffeine is natural. It's found in plants, seeds and, of course, coffee beans.
In small amounts it improves alertness, but for those with medical issues – especially high blood pressure – the side effects can be serious.
"We know that coffee does increase blood pressure a little bit, for a few minutes," Dr. Messerli said. "We know that coffee increases heart rate a little bit, also for a few minutes. Of course, in excess, that can be potentially harmful."
Caffeine can also cause insomnia, headache, and dizziness.
The strips may come in handy, since every restaurant's brew contains different amounts of coffee.
But if you want to be completely sure, you might want to just skip that cup of java.
"If you're really concerned about your coffee consumption, just don't drink coffee," Dr. Messerli says. "It's as simple as that."
Of course, coffee isn't the only source of caffeine. It can be hidden in over-the-counter pain relievers, cold medications, and diet pills – not to mention chocolate and soda.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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