ASSESSMENT OF INTAKE OF CAFFEINE IN RANDOM POPULATION IN RIYADH AND ITS LEVELS IN SOME FOOD BY HPLC

Abstract

This study involves 160 Saudi females of a mean age of 23±3.7 years who regularly consumed coffee and soft drinks. The highest percentage of participants were reported to consume less than 300 mg of caffeine daily (42.5%) and the highest level of caffeine consumption (more than 2800 mg/day) was calculated among 7.5% of the participants. The highest percentages of participants consuming caffeine were detected in coffee consumers followed by soft drink consumers (93.75% and 90.63% respectively), while the least percentage was detected in tea consumers (45.63%). The mean of consumed caffeine from coffee was the highest value (1599±416.7) compared with the caffeine content in other foods. In relation to anthropometric measurements, there were no significant correlations between them and the level of caffeine consumption except weight. There was a significant correlation between the decrease in body weight and the increase in amount of caffeine consumed (p<0.05). On the other hand, there was no significant correlation between the hours of sleep and food consumption, and the amount of caffeine consumed (p<0.05). There was, however, a high correlation between the employment status of the participant and the caffeine consumption (p> 0.05).