Caffeine has been a source of energy for many years in different forms. While tea and coffee have dominated the global scene, more and more consumers are opting for caffeine pills.
Benefits of Caffeine Pills
Caffeine pills provide a dosage of anywhere from 50 mg to 200 mg of caffeine, which is equivalent to one or two cups of coffee. However, they provide the alertness without the added calories, and many people use them as a weight loss supplement.
Dangers of Caffeine Pills
Caffeine pills have a high dosage, making overconsumption possible. This could lead to higher blood pressure and a dramatically increased heart rate. Also caffeine pills should not be taken with other stimulants or other caffeine-containing products such as coffee or soda. In rare cases, people have had irregular heartbeats or even a stroke with too much caffeine.
Low-Dose Pills
Caffeine pills have become stronger over the years, especially recently. However, there are a few options for a low dose of caffeine. Regular-strength Jet Alert has 100 mg of caffeine, which is equivalent to one cup of coffee. Rite Aid’s Stay Awake also contains 100 mg of caffeine per pill. Though it is not considered a caffeine pill as it also has aspirin, Excedrin contains 65 mg of caffeine per pill and can be beneficial if taken for headache purposes.
High-Dose Pills
There are numerous high-dose pills on the market, including Jet Alert Double Strength, No Doz Maximum Strength and Vivarin, which all contain 200 mg of caffeine per pill—the equivalent to two cups of coffee.
New Varieties
While caffeine pills are a popular choice, new types of pills have started to hit the market, including Jolt chewable gum, which contains 33 mg of caffeine. Also, Alka-Seltzer has come out with effervescent tabs that contain 65 mg of caffeine.