All About Caffeine

I have never met a person who does not drink tea and / or coffee. We are almost brainwashed into thinking that a ‘nice cup of tea’ will work wonders if we are feeling emotionally drained, or out of sorts and a cup of coffee ‘to go’ will set us up nicely as a morning kick start or a late night pick me up.

It has become a national and even worldwide ritual. So much so that without realising it we have become hooked on caffeine.

Coffee is America’s most popular drink and therefore most popular drug.  Scandinavia also consumes more caffeine per person than any other country. It is now part of the global culture.

Drink more than 4 cups of coffee per day and you can consider yourself addicted. And for many of us we get such a high from caffeine that to think of giving it up is almost unthinkable. After all, its not like nicotine, alcohol or drugs, is it?

Caffeine, in short, is a mood altering drug.

Well the fact is that the only thing that has an effect on us is the caffeine content.

What Is Caffeine And Where Does It Come From?

• In its pure form caffeine is  a white crystalline powder that tastes very bitter.

• Natural sources of caffeine come from many plants including  the coffee bean, tea leaves, cocoa nuts and the cola nut.

• It is a chemical stimulant called trimethylxanthine which is a drug with similarities to amphetamines, cocaine and heroin although with  milder effects.

What Foods Is Caffeine In?

• Coffee
• Teas
• Colas
• Some squashes
• Chocolate
• Energy drinks
• Diet pills
• Some over the counter pain relievers – for example headache pills which cause the blood vessels of the brain to constrict and therefore relieving the pressure.

Suggested Reading

Positive and Negative Effects of Caffeine

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