Caffeine content and acidity levels of some non-alcoholic water-based beverages sold in Banda zone, Kampala, Uganda

Abstract

Background:The consumption of has gained attention due to its ability to promote acute benefits such as improved attention, cognitive performance, reduction of fatigue, increased wakefulness, and analgesia. However, the result of caffeine consumption is a concern, it is important to inform consumers about the caffeine content and acidity levels of all non-alcoholic water-based beverages.Methods:The samples were sonicated and subjected to analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet method and pH meter method for acidity content. Results: The highest concentration of caffeine was found in energy drink, ED; with 64.01±0.07 mg/L as compared to soft drinks, SD1; 20.20±0.02 mg/L, SD2; 23.14±0.08 mg/L, and SD3; 29.88±0.02 mg/L. All obtained concentrations were below the permissible levels for caffeine (200 mg/L) intake by the United States Food and Drug Administration. The study also showed that all the non-alcoholic beverages were acidic except bottled water in the sequence BW < ED < SD. The categorical range was bottled water; BW2; 8.01±0.03, BW1; 7.5±0.10, BW3; 7.5±0.11, BW4 6.85±1.38, and Energy drink; ED; 3.17±0.01, and finally, soft drinks; SD2; 2.82±0.02, SD1; 2.61±0.02, and SD3; 2.59±0.05. Conclusions: The results obtained in this study provide satisfactory information on the caffeine and acidity contents of the commonly consumed non-alcoholic water-based beverages in Banda, Kampala-Uganda. This in the future could pose serious health risks, since some individuals consume multiple servings of the drinks in a short time, which could result in intoxication/overdose.Keywords: caffeine, soft drinks, energy drinks, public health, Banda