The caffeine content of Maxwell House differs between its various coffee offerings. Maxwell House sells varieties that range from decaf to bold flavors, and each contains at least some caffeine. Though you may enjoy a temporary boost from caffeine, too much may lead to unwanted side effects.
Caffeine in Maxwell House Blends
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The caffeine content in Maxwell House varies somewhat between the varieties. Like other major coffee providers, Maxwell House coffee offers regular grounds blends that contain the highest amounts of caffeine, lighter blends that have reduced caffeine, and decaf which contains minimal caffeine.
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However, it is important to know that caffeine is not required on nutritional labels. Nor are companies required to report their exact caffeine content, so it can vary between different blends. According to research paper published in October 2014 in Nutrition Reviews, the Food and Drug Administration does not require the amount of caffeine to be listed on nutrition labels, because it is not a nutrient.
Still, there are some general estimates that may help you figure out how much caffeine each cup of Maxwell House contains. For example, Maxwell House Colombian coffee's caffeine content is approximately 100 to 160 milligrams in every 2 tablespoons of grounds, or 12 fluid ounces of prepared coffee.
Similarly, Maxwell House master blend's caffeine content is approximately 100 to 160 milligrams in each 2 tablespoons of grounds, or 12 fluid ounces. Maxwell House medium roast's caffeine content is approximately 100 to 160 milligrams in every 2 tablespoons of grounds, or 12 fluid ounces of prepared coffee.
Maxwell House also offers decaf and lighter-caffeine blends. Maxwell House does not provide the exact amount of caffeine in their decaf blends. However, independent organizations have provided some information on this.
According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, Maxwell House Decaf Ground Coffee contains 1 to 5 milligrams of caffeine in each 1 tablespoon of coffee grounds, or 6 fluid ounces. By comparison, the same amount of Maxwell House Lite Ground Coffee contains 25 to 50 milligrams of caffeine.
Recommended Caffeine Intake
People drink coffee every day, to help give them a perk, and to help wake them up. If you are one of them, you should keep in mind how much Maxwell House coffee you drink.
The Mayo Clinic says up to 400 milligrams of caffeine a day is safe for most adults, which is about 4 cups of coffee. In addition, the USDA indicates that, on average, 1 cup (8 fluid ounces) of prepared coffee has 96 milligrams of caffeine. This means that Maxwell House coffee's regular blends are about average for caffeine content.
Read more: How Many Cups of Coffee Can You Drink a Day?
Not everyone can tolerate or should take in that much caffeine. You should not drink more caffeine to compensate for sleep deprivation. Teenagers should limit their caffeine intake. They are also at risk of consuming caffeine with alcohol and other drugs, which can be dangerous.
Children should not drink coffee or take caffeine. Women who are pregnant or breast feeding should talk to their doctors about the amount of caffeine that is safe and alternatives if needed.
People who consume too much caffeine can experience symptoms such as jitters, increased heart rate, headaches, trouble sleeping, excessive urination and dehydration. A March 2019 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition states that too much coffee may modestly increase a person's risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The study looked at people who drank six or more cups of coffee each day.
People with caffeine sensitivity should avoid coffee altogether. Even decaf coffee has modest amounts of caffeine, and this small amount may cause side effects for people with a serious sensitivity.
- Nutrition Reviews: "Regulatory Status of Caffeine in the United States"
- Center for Science in the Public Interest: "Coffee"
- Center for Science in the Public Interest: "Caffeine Chart"
- American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: "Long-Term Coffee Consumption, Caffeine Metabolism Genetics, and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: A Prospective Analysis of Up to 347,077 Individuals and 8368 Cases"
- USDA FoodData Central: "Coffee, Brewed"
- Mayo Clinic: "Caffeine: How Much Is Too Much?"