DECATUR - You've made it to the office, but your eyes still haven't quite opened for the day. Then, that familiar scent hits your nostrils. The dark, rich smell dances like a rumba for your olfactory system, pulling you closer. And with the first sip of morning coffee, all is right with the world.

"It's as much a part of the office life as anything," Marquis Beverage project manager Duane McCoskey said of the morning brew.

Caffeine is something many use to get going in the morning and keep going in the afternoon, but as with all food and drink, it's important to monitor consumption.

Emily Cook, a registered dietitian at Decatur Memorial Hospital, said three 6-ounce cups of coffee or 300 milligrams of caffeine are the generally accepted dose for the general population. Pregnant women should take in 300 milligrams or fewer of caffeine per day.

"But of course, caffeine can vary from individual to individual," she said, adding that people should go mainly by the physical effects they experience personally with caffeine consumption.

Caffeine can interact in those with diabetes, people who have a history of heart palpitations and pregnant women, Cook said. But if a person has no medical issues, there is not necessarily a set limit to how much caffeine is acceptable.

"They aren't necessarily bad for you," she said of caffeinated beverages. "There are some good effects of coffee and tea. However, you need to use moderation, as with everything."

An 8-ounce cup of coffee has 60 to 120 milligrams of caffeine, Cook said. Teas can have 20 to 100 milligrams in an 8-ounce cup. Soft drinks have 20 to 40 milligrams, and a can of Red Bull energy drink has about the same as a cup of coffee, 80 milligrams. One ounce of espresso has 40 milligrams of caffeine, and decaffeinated coffee has a five to 20 milligrams per cup, Cook said.

Caffeine is a stimulant that works to make the heart start pumping faster, thus causing a rise in blood pressure, Cook said. Having caffeine on an empty stomach can hasten its effects, especially in someone who is sensitive.

Annie Getsinger can be reached at agetsinger@herald-review.com or 421-6968.