People have taken pleasure in the consumption of caffeinated beverages for many years. Caffeine naturally occurs in the leaves, seeds or fruits of at least 100 different species worldwide. Ready for a big word? Caffeine is belongs to a collection of

compounds referred to as methylxanthines. The most generally known resource of caffeine is coffee, cocoa beans, cola nuts and tea leaves. Caffeine is also inserted to soft drinks and pharmaceutical products such as cold and flu remedies.

Coffee and tea also contain other dimethylxanthines. Theophylline has comparable properties to caffeine and theobromine. Its medicinal actions are far less powerful than caffeine and theophylline. The presence of caffeine and its amount depends upon the type of product, serving size and what method was used to prepare the product. For example a 190ml cup of tea contains 50mg of caffeine, one third less than the same amount of an instant cup of coffee (75mg). A can of most soft drinks on the market have less than 70 mg of caffeine.

Despite recent publicity about caffeine that has been blown out of whack, the fact continues to be that the utilization of caffeine at intakes below 300mg/ day has no adverse effects on the vast majority of the adult population. For this reason an average intake of three to four cups of tea a day or a soft drink is well within the level considered safe.

The diuretic action of tea and caffeine is well known. The diuretic effect of tea and caffeine is reliant on the amount consumed and how long it took you to consume the tea. Caffeine in tea does not have a diuretic effect unless the amount of tea sipped at one session contains more than 250-300mg of caffeine, equivalent to between 5 and 6 cups of tea. Drinking tea can count toward your daily intake of water needed.

The amount of caffeine found in tea is less than a bottle of your favorite soft drink. Studies have shown that caffeine when consumed in small amounts is relatively safe. So put on the hot water, get out the tea bags, and sit down for a relaxing time while sipping your favorite tea. If you got to have tea without caffeine, go ahead but be aware of the decaffeination processes.

Some just aren't good for you. Enjoy your tea without worrying. Remember, it is also neutralizing all those free radicals.