Edible caffeine for non-liquid eye openers

For years, millions of Americans have gotten their daily caffeine fix from a cup of coffee or can of cola.

Now marketers and manufacturers are hoping they'll consider non-liquid jolts from caffeinated gum, candy, mints — and even sunflower seeds.

Jolynn Agostini, an assistant professor of nursing at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, says studies have shown that caffeine can provide stamina and enhance moods. But people should read labels carefully and be sure not to overdo it, she said.

"I think the most important thing for people is to look at the label and find out how much caffeine is in these products," Agostini said. "You don't want to get too much caffeine."

Agostini says the recommended amount of caffeine per day is between 200 and 300 milligrams — or about three 8-ounce cups of coffee.

"Read the label, see how it fits in," she says. "Every person has a different tolerance to caffeine. Some people get a bigger jolt out of it than others. You need to get to know your own acceptable levels."

Below, we round up a few examples of ways to get caffeine without filling up a Styrofoam cup or cracking open an aluminum can.

CANDY: Java Pops. According to Web sites that sell these lollipops, they come in flavors including cappuccino and Irish creme and pack 60 milligrams of caffeine.

GUM: Caffeinated gum brands include Blitz Energy Gum, Penguin Peppermint Energy Gum and Jolt Energy Gum. Caffeine content varies.

STRIPS: Nrage Energy Strips dissolve in your mouth, similar to breath-freshening strips. The company Web sites says four strips offer an equivalent amount of caffeine to a cup of coffee.

MINTS: The Penguin brand offers mints flavored with peppermint, cinnamon and chocolate. The label says three mints are the caffeine equivalent of one cola. www.peppermints.com

SUNFLOWER SEEDS: Sumseeds are sunflower seeds infused with caffeine, taurine and ginseng. www.sumseeds.com