COMPARISON OF FLUORIDE CONTENT IN CAFFEINATED, DECAFFEINATED AND INSTANT COFFEE

A previous study has reported the mean fluoride (F) level of decaffein ated tea infusions, 3.19 ppm, is significantly (P<0.01) higher than th ose of caffeinated tea infusions, 1.74 ppm. The present study is desig ned to determine F concentrations of coffees available in the Houston area and to determine if different types of coffee may vary in their F content. Forty different brands and types of coffee were obtained fro m the supermarket or specialty coffee stores. Mean fluoride content in coffee drinks is rather low. Content ranged from 0.10 to 0.58 ppm and is much less than those in tea infusions. Unlike the tea infusions, t here is no statistically significant difference between caffeinated an d decaffeinated coffees. In view of the results of this study, coffee consumption has no major impact on total daily dietary fluoride intake .