Dear Dr. SerVaas: In the Sept./Oct. 2003 issue of the Post, a lady wrote about the tingling in her ears. I also have the problem, and my doctor suggested I may be allergic to caffeine. I have very little problem if I do not drink coffee, tea, or eat chocolate. Salt is another problem that causes ringing in my ears. It is surprising how much salt is in snacks or prepared foods. The ringing never goes away completely, but it is not loud enough to be bothersome until I eat chocolate or something salty.
Connie Pheifer
Waterford, Wisconsin
Dear Reader: Thank you for your good letter.
A close look at food labels reveals whether caffeine has been added to foods and beverages. Until caffeine amounts are listed, however, those trying to minimize their caffeine intake have a difficult time selecting the best options.
Here are some tips to help Post readers opt for lower-caffeine or caffeine-free foods and drinks. Caffeine contents are as listed in the Bowes & Church's Food Values of Portions Commonly Used, 16th Edition.
• A 9.5-ounce serving of Starbucks Coffee Frappuccino contains 98 mg of caffeine; one 12-ounce can of Coke has 36 mg of caffeine.
• A 12-ounce serving of Sunkist Orange contains 41 mg of caffeine; Minute Maid Orange has none.
• A 1.5-ounce Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate bar has 31 mg of caffeine; a 1.5-ounce Hershey's Milk Chocolate bar has 10 mg.
• Water, caffeine- and calorie-free, is the best beverage choice to cut out caffeine and keep your body hydrated.
• To be labeled "decaffeinated," at least 97.5 percent of a product's naturally occurring caffeine has been removed.
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