Letter tiles spelling out the word "Caffeine" surrounded by coffee plants and coffee beans.

5 Caffeine Myths Debunked for Manufacturers and Suppliers

In the world of nutraceutical supplement manufacturing, caffeine is still one of the most popular and effective ingredients. In supplemental form, it’s predicted to reach USD 690.1 million by 2030 with a CAGR growth of 5.8% from 2024 to 2030. In 2023, caffeine supplements for women had a market share of 53.2%, and caffeine supplements for sports nutrition accounted for a market share of 39.7%. Although it is widely consumed via beverages, like coffee and tea, caffeine is used in other applications such as weight loss supplements, pain relievers, and performance enhancement for athletes.

Caffeine is one of the most studied ingredients and is well-known for its stimulant properties. According to the FDA, caffeine is generally considered to be healthy at normal amounts (400 mg per day). Despite the numerous studies on caffeine indicating it can be part of a healthy diet, there are still misconceptions surrounding its consumption and negative effects. Accurate information about caffeine is not just beneficial for consumers but also for manufacturers looking to diversify their product portfolio with the ingredient as well. With our experience as a tenured ingredient supplier, we wanted to set the record straight about some misunderstandings regarding caffeine. Here are the top 5 caffeine myths debunked for supplement manufacturers and suppliers:

Myth #1: Synthetic Caffeine is Not As Effective As Natural Caffeine

With the rise in popularity of natural health solutions and the perception of their superiority in comparison to their synthetic counterparts, the concept of “natural caffeine versus synthetic caffeine” is inevitably at the forefront of consumers’ minds. Natural caffeine is extracted from plant sources, such as coffee beans, tea buds and leaves, and cacao beans; synthetic caffeine is made from the synthesis of urea and different chemicals, like methyl chloride and ethyl acetate.

The word "Caffeine" written in think marker on graph paper, along with the chemical structure of Caffeine (C₈H₁₀N₄O₂).

Although they are sourced differently, natural caffeine and synthetic caffeine share the exact same chemical structure: C₈H₁₀N₄O₂. This means that they are chemically indistinguishable and have the same physiological effects on the human body. Furthermore, synthetic caffeine often has high purity levels and consistent quality due to being produced under strict laboratory conditions. This is not the same for natural caffeine, which may contain minor impurities from the plant source materials.

Myth #2: Caffeine in Supplements Causes Dehydration

Caffeine has a diuretic effect on the body. This means that an increased amount of urine is made and will pass from the body; but does that mean an increased loss in body fluid, leading to dehydration? Dehydration happens when the body loses more fluid than it takes in. The human body absolutely requires water to function, and it is understandable why there is concern surrounding caffeine in supplements causing dehydration, particularly in sports nutrition in which hydration is a must.

A man in workout clothes walking on a bridge in the city while drinking a bottle of water.

Scientific research has shown that moderate caffeine consumption does not cause dehydration. If the body is used to caffeine intake, it results in a minimal diuretic effect. If not, the body adapts quickly, in just 1 to 4 days of regular consumption. Also, more often than not, the intake of water when swallowing a caffeine supplement product can compensate for the diuretic effect. A supplement containing, at the most, 400 mg of caffeine a day can be a part of a balanced diet without a major diuretic effect on the body. And according to many experts, normal caffeine intake on a daily basis does not increase the risk of dehydration, even in athletes.

Myth #3: Caffeine is Optimally Effective in High Doses

There is a general assumption that when there is a higher concentration of an ingredient or substance, it will proportionally enhance its effects. Many manufacturers and consumers think that caffeine is only beneficial when consumed in larger quantities, leading to the belief that more caffeine always equals greater outcomes. For example, some of the benefits of caffeine include improved energy and focus. Will increasing the caffeine content in a supplement product amplify these positive effects?

The human body can best experience caffeine’s benefits at low-to-moderate doses. In low doses, caffeine has the potential to help stimulate dopamine, helping to improve mood, energy, and motivation. Also, low dose caffeine consumption before and during exercise can increase athletic and endurance performance, and ingestion of low-dose caffeine has been seen to have a better effect on cognition and brain activation.

Myth #4: All Caffeine Products Have the Same Absorption Rate

Many consumers believe that caffeine is absorbed in the body at the same rate, regardless of the supplement formulation or delivery system. After it is consumed via oral route, caffeine is rapidly almost completely absorbed into the body. 80% of caffeine is absorbed by the small intestine, with 20% absorbed by the stomach. It reaches peak concentration in the bloodstream approximately one hour after consumption.

An image of a bisected caffeine tablet surrounded by coffee beans.

The absorption rate of caffeine can actually depend on how it is formulated and consumed. For example, caffeine powder in capsules or caffeine tablets take the longest to fully saturate the blood because they have to go through the digestive system first. So in these forms, they may have a different absorption profile compared to caffeine in liquid or sustained-release formulations. Caffeine in a gum, chew, or lozenge product can even be more rapidly absorbed through the oral mucosa, which may be a key factor in improving physical performance and endurance during exercise.

Myth #5: Caffeine Only Functions As a Stimulant

When consumed, caffeine has a powerful effect on the body’s central nervous system. It blocks the effects of the neurotransmitter adenosine, which relaxes the brain and makes people feel tired. It may also increase adrenaline levels in the blood and increase brain activity levels, promoting a state of arousal, alertness, and focus. In a survey of 1,000 American adults in 2022, Food Insight found that 45% of the participants said that the main reason they consume caffeine is to feel awake or alert.

Although caffeine is widely known as a stimulant that promotes energy, it actually has versatile effects on different aspects of the human body. It has the potential to enhance cognitive function, mood, and athletic performance, as well as help with migraines, liver health and heart health and decrease stroke risk. It is also beneficial for metabolic and weight management purposes; some studies suggest that caffeine can act as an appetite suppressant. It has also been linked to promote thermogenesis, which helps the body burn more calories, and increases fat oxidation (the breakdown of fat).

Caffeine, one of the most researched ingredients in the supplement market, provides numerous benefits in addition to its well-known effects on alertness and energy. Understanding these benefits is important for manufacturers and suppliers who want to create products that maximize caffeine’s potential while also meeting varying consumer needs.

However, despite caffeine’s documented safety and efficacy at moderate levels, misunderstandings about its use can still prevent manufacturers and consumers from fully leveraging its benefits. Understanding the nuances of caffeine can allow manufacturers to create solutions for consumers that are both effective and safe.

This information is useful not just for product development, but also for educating customers. As the supplement market is growing, clear, reliable information on ingredients is becoming more important than ever. Debunking these common caffeine myths allows manufacturers to develop with confidence and increases customer trust in products that use caffeine responsibly and effectively.

An image of a smiling woman holding a caffeine supplement and a glass of water.

Vivion is committed to offering high-quality caffeine ingredients for a wide range of supplement production applications. Whether you’re creating solutions for sports nutrition, cognitive enhancement, weight management, or overall wellness, our bulk caffeine powder and ingredient options consistently meet industry-standard purity, consistency, and effectiveness requirements.

Are you ready to enhance your supplement line with the diverse benefits of caffeine? Contact Vivion for your bulk caffeine needs and see how we can be your single solution for manufacturing supplements. Our expert team is ready to assist you in finding the ideal ingredient for your formulation requirements, ensuring that you have the greatest ingredients for today’s rapidly changing supplement industry.