A brand new examine has revealed the “huge” variations within the quantity of caffeine in coffees from main excessive road chains like Costa, Starbucks and Pret A Manger.
Which? discovered {that a} medium cappuccino at Costa accommodates a “massive” 325mg of caffeine – across the quantity contained in 4 cups of tea and virtually 5 occasions stronger than a Starbucks cappuccino.
While the variations should not solely as a result of variety of caffeine photographs used throughout the chains, nutritionists say it’s possible you’ll be consuming “significantly more or less caffeine than you bargained for”.
The examine discovered that cappuccinos from Greggs and Pret A Manger comprise considerably much less caffeine than Costa, at 197mg and 180mg respectively. By comparability, a 250ml can of Red Bull accommodates 80mg of caffeine.
When it involves a single espresso, one from Starbucks accommodates a “meagre” 33mg of caffeine – which means at 180mg, one from Pret accommodates virtually six occasions extra.
On filter espresso, Pret A Manger led the way in which with essentially the most caffeine at 271mg – two-and-a-half occasions as a lot because the Starbucks model, which contained 102mg. Greggs was a detailed second containing 225mg.
The variations are additionally as a result of sort of espresso beans used, of which there are two essential sorts – Arabica and Robusta.
Arabica beans comprise round half the caffeine of Robusta beans, and there are additionally variations in style between the 2.
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‘Big variations in caffeine content material’
Which? nutritionist Shefalee Loth mentioned the analysis reveals it’s possible you’ll be consuming considerably extra, or much less, caffeine than you bargained for.
“Our analysis has shown that there are big variations in caffeine content between drinks from different high-street coffee shops.
“Most of the time this should not be a difficulty however for those who drink a whole lot of espresso or have to restrict your caffeine consumption you may wish to take into account what you are ordering and the place from.”
The findings also show that buying coffee on the high street could be potentially problematic for consumers who are sensitive to caffeine, or are pregnant.
The NHS says pregnant women should consume no more than 200mg of caffeine per day, advising that a mug of instant coffee contains 100mg and a mug of filter coffee contains 140mg.
A Costa Coffee spokeswoman said: “The quantity of caffeine included inside every espresso varies, relying on each the espresso and dimension of drink ordered by a buyer.”
Pret A Manger declined to remark.
Source: information.sky.com”