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| it can increase metabolism, raise the heart rate, raise blood pressure and accelerate breathing. Many sports supplement manufactures have incorporated caffeine into their formulas for these very reasons. Guarana and Mate are two of the popular herbs they use that provide a kick from caffeine. What is the number one choice amongst those who need to squeeze a few more hours into their study time or stay alert while driving? For that matter, what is a | |
| .....Over the past couple of decades specialty coffee houses have sprung up on just about every city block. Rarely do you pass by and see them empty. Usually there is a line up of patrons more than willing to shell out a few bucks for a latte, espresso or just plain regular cup of joe. Coffee is a mega-industry generating billions of dollars of sales on an annual basis. And these numbers keep growing. Caffeine is easily the world’s most popular drug and it is readily available, unregulated and for much of the population, considered a basic food group unto its own. And we are not just talking coffee here. Tea, cocoa, chocolate, soft drinks, sports supplements, pain relievers and other over the counter drugs are all popular sources of caffeine. .....I remember a time in my life that I could not imagine going a day without a cup of coffee. It was my morning ritual. From the aroma of the freshly ground beans as I brewed the perfect pot to the rush of energy it provided me to jump-start my day. No doubt about it. I was a certified coffee addict. I was also somewhat of a discerning gourmet that would sooner pack my favorite brand on a road trip than chance drinking a crappy cup somewhere else. God help me if I missed my morning cup because by mid-afternoon I would have a throbbing withdrawal headache that would persist until I got my next fix. Sound familiar? .....Then about 10 years ago I started to get serious about taking responsibility for my own health. The more I read about prevention, the more I kept hearing the words moderation. The more I read about the health hazards of too much caffeine, the more I realized my coffee habit was certainly not contributing to my pursuit of optimal health. .....Like anything else, moderation is the key word here. Too much of any one thing can kill you, even water. If you proceeded to gulp down about 90 cups of coffee in a short period of time, you would have ingested a lethal dose of caffeine. But realistically, none of us are going to go that far. Even so, there are other health concerns around excessive caffeine. .....Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system and |
major cause of insomnia, headaches, nervousness, dizziness and the jitters? You know it…caffeine! .....We all know that we should be drinking 8 – 10 glasses of water each day but did you know that drinking caffeinated beverages might put you in a deficit? Caffeine is a mild diuretic which means that it increases urination which of course increases water loss and can contribute to dehydration. Large amounts of caffeine may also contribute to calcium and potassium deficiencies which can weaken our bones, heart and nervous system. .....The bottom line for myself was that I did not like the control that coffee had over my life. I found myself “using” coffee to start my day. I weaned off my drug of choice and I did it as painlessly as I could. Freedom never felt better! To minimize the withdrawal symptoms which can include severe headaches, muscle pain, depression and irritability, try these baby steps: 1. Cut down to one cup per day. If you have the desire for another cup, drink herbal teas or water. Water can be just as energizing as a cup of coffee. 2. Start gradually switching to decaf until you are drinking 100% decaf. At this stage your chances of headache are greatly reduced. 3. If you are still hooked on the whole coffee experience you can switch over to some of the grain based coffee substitutes. Some of them are very good. 4. Or even better, a cup of herbal tea instead. Green tea has many health benefits but keep in mind it is still a caffeinated beverage. .....Over time, you will wonder what all the fuss was about. When I hear someone say that they can’t stop drinking coffee, I think back to my own experience and that is when I know. “If I can do it, any body can!” But like anything else, it is a choice you have to be ready to make. Good Health to You! |
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