Caffeine’s Impact on the Brain and Behavior

The scientific paper Caffeine in Food and Dietary Supplements: Examining Safety – Workshop Summary, authored by Leslie Pray et al., presents a detailed account of a workshop convened by the Institute of Medicine at the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This workshop brought together experts in nutrition, toxicology, public health, pharmacology, and medicine to evaluate the current scientific understanding of caffeine safety, particularly in light of its increasing presence in foods, beverages, and dietary supplements. The paper focuses on the potential health hazards of caffeine, especially among vulnerable groups such as children, adolescents, and pregnant women, and identifies significant gaps in research that need to be addressed to guide future regulatory decisions.

Caffeine is the most commonly used stimulant in the world. People get it from many sources—coffee, tea, soda, energy drinks, chocolate, and even surprising places like gum, snacks, or bottled water. While most healthy adults can safely consume moderate amounts, experts are now concerned about newer caffeine products and how they may affect children, teens, and others who might be more sensitive.

To understand these concerns, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asked the Institute of Medicine to hold a workshop in 2013. The goal was to gather top scientists and health experts to explore what we know—and don’t know—about caffeine’s safety, especially with new kinds of caffeinated foods and drinks hitting store shelves.

This scientific paper is a summary of a two-day expert workshop organized by the Institute of Medicine. The event brought together researchers, medical professionals, nutrition experts, public health officials, and representatives from industry and consumer groups. These participants shared data, studies, and opinions about caffeine’s effects and discussed areas where more research is needed. No final conclusions or policies were made; instead, the workshop aimed to share current knowledge and find gaps in what we still don’t know.

The study found that caffeine is mostly consumed through coffee, followed by tea and soda. Energy drinks contribute only a small amount of caffeine overall, but they are more popular among young people.

 Most adults in the U.S. drink caffeine every day, but the amount varies by age:

• Adults between 50 and 64 years old consumed the most—about 226 mg per day on average.
• Teens aged 13–17 consumed around 83 mg per day.
• Children aged 6–12 had much lower intakes, about 37 mg per day.

Coffee was the most significant source of caffeine, especially for adults. Surprisingly, caffeine from energy drinks was low even among younger people. The paper explains that “energy drinks contributed very little to beverage caffeine intakes.”

One of the biggest worries is how caffeine affects certain people more than others. These groups include:

• Children and teens, whose brains and bodies are still developing.
• Pregnant women, where caffeine may affect the baby’s development.
• People with heart conditions or anxiety, who may react more strongly to caffeine.
• Individuals with genetic differences that make them process caffeine more slowly.

The study shared that “little is known about the interactions between caffeine and other ingredients” found in modern products like energy drinks. These combinations could increase risks, but there isn’t enough science yet to say for sure.

Caffeine works as a stimulant for the brain. It can improve alertness and help people feel more awake. But too much can cause problems like nervousness, sleep trouble, or even dependency. The study noted growing concerns about “the safety of exposure in children and adolescents,” especially when caffeine is mixed with other substances like sugar or herbal stimulants in energy drinks.

It also highlighted findings about caffeine’s addictive potential, referencing updates in medical guidelines such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which now includes “Caffeine Use Disorder” as a condition needing more research.

Caffeine may also affect the heart and blood vessels, but the science is mixed. Some studies suggest caffeine can raise blood pressure or trigger irregular heartbeats in certain people. However, others show little to no impact on healthy adults.

The workshop noted that “scientific evidence on cardiovascular effects associated with caffeine exposure is varied and incomplete.” That means we need more research to fully understand who might be at risk and under what conditions.

Another issue is how hard it is to track caffeine-related health problems. Many people don’t know how much caffeine they’re consuming, especially when it’s added to foods that don’t clearly label it. Also, poison control centers and hospitals have reported more calls and visits related to caffeine, especially in young people, but not enough data exists to fully understand the long-term effects.

The paper discussed how the FDA is exploring ways to better collect and analyze caffeine safety data. This might include creating a national registry or encouraging more long-term studies.

This study makes it clear: while caffeine is generally safe for most adults in moderate amounts, it’s not one-size-fits-all. The growing number of caffeinated products on the market raises new questions—especially for kids, pregnant women, and people with certain health conditions.

The scientific paper explains that “although the health effects of caffeine have a long history of scientific study, caffeine is being marketed to consumers in novel products and in new ways.” These changes mean we must rethink how we assess caffeine safety today—not just based on coffee or tea, but on modern foods, supplements, and energy drinks.

Experts at the workshop suggested more studies and better labeling to help people understand how much caffeine they’re really getting.

Caffeine is a part of daily life for millions, but as this scientific study shows, it deserves careful attention—especially with so many new ways to consume it. While moderate use is likely safe for healthy adults, vulnerable populations may face real risks. The study calls for more research, better monitoring, and clearer product labels so consumers can make informed choices. With energy drinks and caffeinated snacks now part of our daily routines, understanding how caffeine affects the body—especially in kids and teens—is more critical than ever.