The Buzz on Caffeine
Posted on July 14th, 2008 by joshua
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Millions of Americans jump-start their days with a cup of coffee, and then drink another cup or two or three throughout the day. Starbucks stores and others have proliferated throughout the country and throughout the world. More and more people try to move faster and faster to keep pace with the increasing demands of modern society. Not surprisingly, coffee represents 75% of all caffeine consumed in the United States.
Drinking coffee isn’t just a matter of personal taste. It has become a cultural habit, an entertainment and a form of comfort. It’s warm, it’s foamy; and it tastes good with sugar, chocolate powder or cinnamon on top. It’s an enjoyable social moment, a ritual and a symbol of dynamic, busy, working people.
Coffee producers spend a lot of time and money to reassure the American public that drinking coffee isn’t bad for their health. A recent New York magazine article acknowledges that media sends Americans mixed messages on how good caffeine really is for us. Here are two headlines highlighted in the article: “Caffeine may help prevent autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis,” and “Drinking moderate amounts of coffee is believed to slash rates of Parkinson’s disease.”
Caffeine, the essential ingredient of coffee, is said to enhance alertness, concentration and mental and physical performance, and its negative side effects are downplayed. But coffee does have some health risks. It inhibits the absorption of essential minerals, such as iron, magnesium and zinc, as well as B vitamins. Many studies have also linked heavy coffee consumption with higher risks for miscarriages, osteoporosis and heart disease.
Do you rely on coffee? How does your body react to caffeine?
I love the smell of coffee, the color, and the taste. In moderation it works great as a stimulant but I stopped drinking it about four years ago because I was having big problems with the acidity. However, I do have expresso occasionally after a big lunch. If I have it on a full stomach the acidity does not bother me. It helps to keep me alert for the afternoon but I can still go to sleep at night. So I really savor my expresso lunches.
Coffee leaves a pretty prominent and devastating mark on my body. I’m very sensitive to the methylxanthines contained in coffee and the effect is a hormone imbalance that leads to acne along the jawline, pimples on my back, fybrocystic breasts, increased anxiety, blood sugar crashes and food cravings.
Because espresso has been an enjoyable ritual for me for 15 years, I find it very difficult to abstain - especially in winter months or when I find my moods falter (there’s that great high before the blood sugar crash…). I’m come to peace with the side effects and keep my dose very light — using it in “medicinal” doses to combat a poor mood or fatigue.
In lieu of my morning cuppa, I have come to enjoy exploring various teas and have recently taken to having a cup of hot lemon water in the morning. It’s been a slow and steady process, and I find my body grateful for it as well as complaining more loudly when I deviate from this decision!
Good article. It’s all about balancing the amount of Caffeine consumption. I’ve heard that Starbucks coffee is very addictive…there’s some people that visit Starbucks 2 - 3 times a day.