How much consumed caffeine is actually absorbed? Bioaccessibility and bioavailability in energy drinks, infusions and soft drinks

Caffeinated beverages have become a common dietary habit especially among adolescents, young adults and athletes due to their cognitive and physical performance-enhancing effects. This study evaluates the bioaccessibility (release during digestion) and bioavailability (intestinal absorption) of caff...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Melones Peña, Natalia, Gómez Gómez, Beatriz, Gracia Lor, Emma
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Institución:Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM)
Repositorio:Docta Complutense
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:docta.ucm.es:20.500.14352/123450
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/123450
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:543
Caffeine
Energy drinks
Soft drinks
Bioaccessibility
Bioavailability
In vitro gastrointestinal digestion
Química analítica (Química)
2301 Química Analítica
Descripción
Sumario:Caffeinated beverages have become a common dietary habit especially among adolescents, young adults and athletes due to their cognitive and physical performance-enhancing effects. This study evaluates the bioaccessibility (release during digestion) and bioavailability (intestinal absorption) of caffeine in coffee, teas, soft and energy drinks by applying an in vitro gastrointestinal digestion, with the aim of quantifying the real exposure to caffeine. Bioaccessibility values of 87–112 % for infused beverages, 83–103 % for soft drinks and 94–104 % for energy drinks were obtained, while bioavailability ranged from 62 to 76 %; 65–79 % and 52–76 %, respectively. Consuming a whole can of an energy drink results in a bioavailable caffeine content up to 115 mg. While these values remain within the recommended single-dose intake limit of 200 mg for adults, approaching recommended upper intake levels, particularly for children and adolescents.