ARS | Publication request: Caffeine, Theobromine and Theophylline Content of Commonly Purchased Weight Loss and Sports Performance Enhancing Dietary Supplements

Submitted to: Experimental Biology
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: February 3, 2006
Publication Date: April 1, 2006
Citation: Andrews, K., Schweitzer, A., Zhao, C., Holden, J.M., Roseland, J.M., Brandt, M., Spease, C., Woo, J., Dwyer, J., Picciano, M., Saldanha, L., Fisher, K., Betz, J., Yetley, E. Caffeine, theobromine and theophylline content of commonly purchased weight loss and sports performance enhancing dietary supplements. Experimental Biology, April 1-5, 2006.

Technical Abstract: Consumers¿ intake of caffeine occurs through dietary supplements as well as traditional food and beverage items. To better identify overall consumer exposure to caffeine, 63 products commonly marketed for weight loss or sports performance were selected from 4 sales channels. Caffeine-containing dietary supplements were selected when labels listed one or more of these ingredients: caffeine, guarana, yerba mate, cocoa, kola, green tea and citrus aurantium. Samples were analyzed with blinded standard reference materials for caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline content by high performance liquid chromatography. Expected daily intake of caffeine from the use of the supplements was calculated using claimed values and analytical values along with maximum recommended label amounts. Laboratory analysis of 63 products showed a range of 0 - 204 mg caffeine/pill. Among 63 products analyzed, 33 had a label claim for caffeine content. Of these, 85% had a mean analyzed value within 20% of the claimed content, with 20 products above and 8 below the claim level. If taken at maximum recommended label amounts, 55% of the products provided >200 mg caffeine/day. In these products, theobromine levels ranged from 0 - 15.7 mg/pill and theophylline levels ranged from 0 - 2.2 mg/pill. Funded through ODS/NIH Y4-HV-0051.