Which of the following should be avoided because it contains caffeine in a patient with pheochromocytoma?

• A. Chocolate, Coffee, Tea, and Cola
• B. Water, Milk, and Juice
• C. Spicy Foods
• D. Non-Caffeinated Tea

Answer: (A)

In pheochromocytoma, anything that stimulates the sympathetic nervous system and increases catecholamine release can trigger dangerous hypertension and tachycardia. Caffeine is such a stimulant, so foods and drinks containing caffeine—chocolate, coffee, tea, and cola—should be avoided because they can provoke a surge of catecholamines and worsen symptoms. Safe alternatives include caffeine-free options like water, milk, and juice, and even non-caffeinated tea. Spicy foods don’t contain caffeine, so they are not the same risk in this context, though they may cause other GI or BP-related discomfort in some people.