subject: Caffeine Addiction [print this page] Caffeine is the most popular drug on earthCaffeine is the most popular drug on earth. Its in coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolate, soft drinks, more than 2,000 non-prescription drugs, and more than 1,000 prescription drugs. Believe it or not, some form of caffeine is consumed by nearly 200 million Americans every day. Amazingly, 100 million American adults drink three or more cups of coffee each day. Tea and coffee are the top two beverages consumed on earth after plain water. With that much caffeine consumption, its clear that people are addicted. And this caffeine addiction is a huge epidemic affecting general health wellness in this country and in the rest of the world.
There are three myths surrounding caffeine:
1.) Caffeine gives you energy. Caffeine gives you just chemical stimulation, which is not true energy. Drinking a caffeine-filled cup of coffee or tea gives you some initial stimulation, but then it causes you to crash, which leads to fatigue due to increased stress hormones.
2.) Caffeine gives you a mental lift. Drinking coffee or caffeinated tea wont make you happier in the long run. Caffeine does give you an initial lift in your emotions, but it ends up letting you down with depression and anxiety. This is why caffeine does not factor into an effective stress management program.
3.) Caffeine sharpens your mind. Drinking coffee wont make you perform better at mental tasks. You will feel increased sensation and activity at first, but the quality of your thoughts and your recall power will be decreased.
How do you know if youre addicted to caffeine? If you cant function without your morning cup of coffee, you are probably addicted. Similarly, if you drink multiple cups of coffee or tea throughout the afternoon to stay awake and alert, you likely have a problem. The true definition of caffeine addiction is this: you are addicted to caffeine if you have a craving for caffeine everyday and are consuming more than 300 mg of it per day.
Use Caffeine Wisely
You can use coffee or caffeine to your advantage if you consume it wisely. Only drink it when you need it. Also, dont drink coffee or other forms of caffeine every morning, especially on an empty stomach. Many working professionals may think that a cup of coffee is a suitable substitute for a healthy breakfast and wrongly think of this as a natural weight loss plan. In fact, the opposite is true. Caffeine on an empty stomach makes you gain weight around your midsection, and nobody wants that.
What are good alternatives to coffee and other highly caffeinated drinks? Clearly, the best choice is to drink water and only water. However, if you want another option, it is recommended by natural health experts to switch from coffee to tea. Herbal and green teas have polyphenols and catechins, powerful antioxidants. Herbal teas have no caffeine, and green tea only has a small amount compared to coffee. For more details please visit http://www.nine-secrets.blogspot.com/
