#44 - Caffeine Blues
Caffeine Blues : Wake Up to the Hidden Dangers of America's #1 Drug by Stephen Cherniske
According to the author, caffeine causes just about every health problem we can imagine and should be completely avoided. While I do agree about the addictive qualities, I question some of the extreme statements in the book. What problems does it cause? What doesn't it cause?
When I worked at the coffee show many years ago, I sometimes referred to myself as a pusher. Here I was, getting paid to feed addictions all day long. And oh the headaches when I'd go on vacation for a week and drink less than my 5 or 6 cups a day! Now I'm down to one or two cups of tea, if that, and would like to avoid additional addiction. I don't think that small an amount is really going to cause me any great harm, regardless of what the book says.
Posted by rachel at April 8, 2005 03:34 PM
I have read the book and I think you misinterpreted it. At no point in the book does it say caffeine causes anything, it simply states that caffeine puts a large contribution to many illnesses and it shows where the research came from. I think there are only two questions that address this point. One; are these industries capable of putting an addictive and dangerous chemical in food and drink. Answer; yes, as is shown by the original 'coca- cola' being made almost exclusively with cocaine. Second; Is caffeine potentially very dangerous. Answer; yes, most people can feel that it makes them more stressed and hyped up (some more so than others)and stress in the long term is bad can be devastating to human health. Look it up in any psychology book.
Nearly everyone drinks coffee, cans of drink and eats chocolate. Why? They provide no function and we could spend the money on something else, it's not as though they're good for you. The only reason most people eat them everyday is because they are addictive
I have read the book and I think you misinterpreted it. At no point in the book does it say caffeine causes anything, it simply states that caffeine puts a large contribution to many illnesses and it shows where the research came from. I think there are only two questions that address this point. One; are these industries capable of putting an addictive and dangerous chemical in food and drink. Answer; yes, as is shown by the original 'coca- cola' being made almost exclusively with cocaine. Second; Is caffeine potentially very dangerous. Answer; yes, most people can feel that it makes them more stressed and hyped up (some more so than others)and stress in the long term is bad can be devastating to human health. Look it up in any psychology book.
Nearly everyone drinks coffee, cans of drink and eats chocolate. Why? They provide no function and we could spend the money on something else, it's not as though they're good for you. The only reason most people eat them everyday is because they are addictive
Posted by: Joe at June 3, 2005 11:43 AM