Abstract
This study aims to determine the levels of caffeine in beverages commonly consumed in Saudi Arabia.10 samples collected from Riyadh market. Caffeine level was determined using high-efficiency liquid chromatography (HPLC). Three types of samples were analyzed. The caffeine concentration ranged from 0.446 to 6.374 mg/1000 mL in coffee samples, and from 0.053 to 8.897 mg/1000 mL in tea samples. In soft drinks the caffeine amount was in the range of 1.466 - 4.698 mg/1000 mL. Green tea (Alwazah tea) had the highest caffeine content among all the studied drinks (i.e., 8.897 mg/1000 mL). This study is the first in terms of caffeine levels, applied for a variety of beverages in Saudi Arabia. On the other hand, this investigation highlights the useful results for controlling caffeine intake or setting safe limits for it in drinks consumed in the Kingdom, and for nutritional education as well.