Survey and Analysis of Caffeine Content in Caffeinated Beverages Sold in Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy

Abstract

Beverages containing caffeine are highly popular nowadays, as evidenced by the proliferation of coffee shops in various communities. It is important to consume caffeine in moderation, ideally not exceeding 400 milligrams per day to avoid adverse health effects. This research aims to investigate the consumption behavior of caffeinated beverages sold in 4 coffee shops in Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy. The study sample consists of 316 cadets and instructors from the academy. The caffeine content in the beverages was analyzed using UV-visible spectrophotometry.             The survey results revealed that 96% of the sample consumed at least one caffeinated beverage per day, with popular choices being cappuccino (28%), espresso (20%), americano (17%), latte (11%), mocha (8%), cocoa (8%), green tea (5%), and Thai tea (3%). Upon analyzing the caffeine content, the results revealed that the caffeine content in the coffee shop beverages at the academy ranged from 14.49 to 183.35 milligrams per serving. The beverages with the highest caffeine content per serving were the 5 types of coffee: cappuccino, espresso, americano, latte, and mocha, ranging from 121.49 to 183.54 mg. Following those were Thai tea with 122.47 to 135.05 mg, green tea with 101.31 to 110.09 mg, and cocoa with 14.49 to 17.61 mg, respectively. Therefore, the recommended consumption limit for coffee and Thai tea from these coffee shops at the academy is not more than 2 cups per day, while for green tea, it is not more than 3 cups per day.