All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
7 unexpected foods that contain caffeine
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
Caffeine is often irreplaceable when you need to increase concentration, attention and relieve stress. According to experts, modern people consume caffeine in much larger quantities than they once did. People see caffeine as an opportunity to quickly tone up the body and get a boost of energy. Doctors say that for a healthy person, the optimal dose of caffeine is 2-3 cups of coffee a day (250 milligrams). This amount is not dangerous and allows you to "wake up" the body.
However, excessive consumption of caffeine can lead to addiction, which can lead to increased excitability, dehydration, sleep disturbances, anxiety, and gastrointestinal upset.
Read also: Energy drinks are no more effective than coffee
If you want to reduce your caffeine intake, it will be useful to know that caffeine is found not only in coffee, but also in some other products. Sometimes very unexpected ones.
Decaffeinated coffee
The name itself suggests that the drink promises to have the same taste and aroma, but without caffeine. However, this is just a nominal name. A regular cup of coffee contains 100 milligrams of caffeine, and so-called "decaf coffee" - 20.
[ 1 ]
Cola
Cola and all similar drinks made on its basis contain caffeine. Per 100 grams of the drink there can be 7 milligrams of caffeine.
Chocolate
Any chocolate contains this stimulant because it is found in cocoa beans. And the darker the chocolate, the more caffeine it contains. And some types of this sweet treat contain even more caffeine due to additional enrichment.
[ 4 ]
Ice cream
Ice cream in chocolate or with chocolate syrup – any where chocolate is present also contains caffeine. Per 100 grams of product there are from 30 to 45 milligrams of caffeine.
Diet pills
Indeed, caffeine will help make your figure slimmer and your waist thinner, but some manufacturers abuse its quantity in dosage, so be sure to pay attention to the composition of the drug.
Analgesics
Caffeine in small quantities helps to cope with headaches, but if you overdo it, you will get the opposite effect - excruciating migraines.
[ 7 ], [ 8 ], [ 9 ], [ 10 ], [ 11 ], [ 12 ], [ 13 ], [ 14 ]
Energy drinks
The tonic effect of such drinks is based on caffeine. The danger is that manufacturers do not always indicate the exact amount of caffeine in the drink.