I love the java jive

Caffeine contents in various drinks.  And another table showing much the same.

From the first article, some fun facts:

# Caffeine is similar in structure to adenosine, a chemical found in the brain that slows down its activity. Since the two compete, the more caffeine you drink, the less adenosine is available up to a point. That’s why caffeine temporarily heightens concentration and wards off fatigue.

# Within 30 to 60 minutes of drinking a cup of coffee, caffeine reaches peak concentrations in the bloodstream. It typically takes four to six hours for its effects to wear off.

# Smokers remove caffeine from their blood twice as fast as nonsmokers. That may be why smokers tend to drink more coffee.

# The average American adult consumes about 200 milligrams (mg) of caffeine a day, and the top ten percent consume an average of 400 mg, according to John J. Barone, who tracks caffeine consumption at The Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta.

# As little as 200 mg of caffeine is enough to make some people feel nervous and anxious. It might take even less for cola-guzzling kids.

# The typical American drinks about two cups of coffee a day. In 1962, when coffee consumption hit its peak, three cups was typical.

# Coffee accounts for about ¾ of the caffeine we consume. Tea makes up about 15 percent, soft drinks about ten percent, and chocolate about two percent.

For the record, a grande (16 oz.) Starbucks contains 550mg, the same as 2½ maximum strength No-Doz, or just under 10 12-oz. cans of Coke.

For the record, I drink 4-5 cups of coffee a day, which works out the same as one of those grandes.

How much coffee would you have to drink to kill yourself from caffeine poisoning?  Find out.

(via BoingBoing 1 2 3)