Assessment of the caffeine-containing beverages available in the local markets, and development of a real energy drink based on the date fruit

Globally, tea, coffee, soft and energy drinks are daily consumed as a source of caffeine. Energy drinks gained a great public and scientific issues, thus this study assessed the caffeine content in some caffeine-containing beverages. Given the increasing demand for newly formulated healthy drinks, the date fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L. cv. Siwi) was used to develop a fruit-energy drink as an alternative for the energy drinks. Results displayed that the coffee addition even to 80 mg,/250 mL, did not significantly altered the acidity of the final developed drink. It contained rapidly metabolized sugars of 27.86 g/250 mL without added sugar and was slightly neutral (pH = 6.04). The sensory assessment revealed that the added coffee (up to 320 mg/L) enhanced its aroma and taste but negatively affected the color. The high naturally occurring vitamins and minerals content and the gross energy; made this drink a super energy drink to fulfill the needs of athletes. Some of the tested local caffeine-containing beverages contained caffeine higher than those mentioned on the product label. On the other side, Turkish coffee brews contained 1.99-9.46 mg/g and the instant coffees had provided the highest ever caffeine (24.71 mg/g), such that their daily consumption should be alarmed.

Automated summary

This study assessed the caffeine content in caffeine-containing beverages and developed a fruit-energy drink using date fruit as an alternative. The results showed that adding coffee to the beverage did not significantly affect its acidity, but enhanced aroma and taste while negatively impacting color. The new drink had high levels of vitamins, minerals, and energy, making it suitable for athletes. Some tested caffeine-containing beverages had higher caffeine content than stated on the product label, and Turkish and instant coffees had the highest caffeine content.