Drinking caffeine is a personal decision. Since many LDS people choose to drink caffeinated soda, I am going to delve deeper into the possible health effects of caffeine. Caffeine is also present in chocolate so hopefully this information will be helpful even to those who do not drink any caffeinated beverages.

Effects of Caffeine
Caffeine only takes 15-20 minutes to get into your blood stream and the effects last for about 3.5 hours. Low amounts of caffeine have a mild stimulant effect that can make you feel more awake and alert. Symptoms of too much caffeine include headache, tremor, increased sensitivity, irritability, nervousness, jumpiness, insomnia, stomachaches, and racing heartbeat. In very high doses a person may hear odd noises and flashes of light. Most experts agree that if people choose to drink caffeine occasionally in moderation there are probably no health consequences or possibility of acquiring a habit.

Caffeine has been widely studied in the past few years, and many researchers have found that consuming caffeine in large quantities can cause problems.

Habit Forming
Caffeine can be habit forming if used regularly in large amounts. People will feel a "caffeine withdrawal" 12 to 24 hours after the last dose of caffeine. It usually resolves within 24-48 hours. Symptoms can be headache, anxiety, fatigue, restlessness, drowsiness, and depression. If you are trying to get off caffeine, gradually reduce the amount you drink to avoid these symptoms.

Pregnancy
Research has shown that "low to moderate consumption of caffeine does not increase the risk for miscarriage." A few studies have shown that there may be an increased risk for miscarriage with very high levels of caffeine consumption (>800 mg/day). These studies have also shown that

"high caffeine consumption (>300mg/day), particularly in combination with smoking, or alcohol" increases your chance of having a miscarriage. These studies were not conclusive and are still being debated, so "Most experts agree that moderation and common sense are the keys for consuming caffeinated items during pregnancy." (OTIS, 2001)

Nursing
Caffeine should be used sparingly while nursing (Less than 150 mg/day). Caffeine can enter breast milk, and according the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP 2002),

"Caffeine tends to build up in babies' systems because their bodies cannot get rid of it very easily…too much caffeine can cause problems such as poor sleeping, nervousness, irritability and poor feeding."

Children
A Child's use of caffeine should be monitored closely. Children often substitute soda beverages over healthier choices such as milk. Caffeine can also act as an appetite suppressant and adversely affect their nutritional intake.

Possible Concerns
Another problem that may develop due to drinking too much caffeine is dehydration. Caffeine is a diuretic that affects the kidneys causing a need to urinate. If you are always satisfying your thirst with caffeinated beverages, your body may become dehydrated. If you do choose to drink caffeine, be sure to also drink your 8 glasses of water per day.

Consult with your physician regarding your personal use of caffeine. If you have high blood pressure or a history of cardiac arrhythmia, caffeine may need to be limited in your diet. The stimulating effect of caffeine can raise your blood pressure as well as make your heart work harder. Many people with peptic ulcer disease and reflux should restrict or avoid using caffeine. Also check with your pharmacist for possible interactions with caffeine whenever you take medications.

False Beliefs
Recent research suggests that the following conditions are NOT caused by moderate amounts of caffeine: Fibrocystic Breast Disease, Osteoporosis, High Blood Cholesterol, Cancer, Heart Disease, Chronic Hypertension, Birth Defects, Preterm Delivery, Miscarriages, and Infertility.

In some studies, large amounts of caffeine >300mg per day have been linked to infertility and miscarriage but the results are not conclusive and other lifestyle factors may have contributed to the results.

How Much Am I Consuming?
If you really love soda it is probably safe to drink about 150 mg of caffeine a day without any side effects.

Mountain Dew 12 ounces 54.0 mgs
Coca-Cola 12 ounces 45.5 mgs
Diet Coke 12 ounces 45.6 mgs
Pepsi 12 ounces 37.2 mgs
7-Up 12 ounces 0 mgs
Dark Chocolate 1 ounce 20 mgs*
Milk Chocolate 1 ounce 6 mgs*
Cocoa Beverage 5 ounces 4 mgs*
Chocolate Milk 8 ounces 5 mgs*
Cold relief medication 1 tablet 30 mgs*

(As a comparison 5 ounces of coffee has 115 mgs of caffeine)

*This is an average amount of caffeine. That means some of these products may contain a little more caffeine, some may contain a little less.

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration and National Soft Drink Association

Is Chocolate O.K.?
Some people believe that chocolate is also not to be consumed due to the caffeine that is in it. The following statements are from General Authorities discuss this topic:

"At no time has cocoa or chocolate been included in the prohibitions of the Word of Wisdom, and at no time has the Church said that cocoa is as harmful as coffee. Those who make these claims do so on their own responsibility, and obviously without knowing the facts of the matter" (Elder Mark E. Peterson, Patterns for Living [Bookcraft, 1962], pp. 235-37).

There is no prohibition in Section 89, for instance, as to the eating of white bread, using white flour, white sugar, cocoa, chocolate, eggs, milk, meat, or anything else, except items classified under the headings, tea, coffee, tobacco, and liquor" (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p.846).