| I recently read an article in the newspaper on a | | | | found that the plant uses it in two ways: a) to |
| study by the University of Palermo, stating that | | | | deter its leaves and cherries being eaten by |
| because of its caffeine content, espresso can be | | | | insects; and b) to get bees buzzing (excuse the |
| bad for the heart. Right next door to this, another | | | | pun) during pollination. So caffeine acts as a poison |
| article quoted a study declaring that chocolate | | | | to some creatures and a stimulant to others. |
| was good for us as it helps prevent a stroke. So, | | | | The amount of caffeine in coffee varies widely |
| if I believe what I've read then coffee is bad and | | | | due to many factors: the origin and varietal of the |
| chocolate is good. | | | | beans; whether the beans are wet or dry |
| But isn't this a bit contradictory? Coffee and | | | | processed; how the beans are roasted and finally |
| chocolate both contain caffeine. And if caffeine | | | | how the coffee is brewed. Guides to caffeine |
| slows blood flow, while at the same time | | | | content in coffee should be taken with a pinch of |
| increasing blood pressure, chocolate shouldn't really | | | | salt, as practically every cup is different. |
| be recommended to prevent strokes. | | | | So how much coffee should we drink? |
| It seems odd to me, that whenever there's a | | | | Everybody has their own level of sensitivity to |
| study into caffeine (good or bad), it's always | | | | caffeine. So while some of us can drink multiple |
| related back to coffee, even if the amount of | | | | cups of coffee a day without feeling any effect, |
| caffeine involved would mean drinking a ridiculous | | | | others will feel the effect after just one cup. But |
| amount of coffee. | | | | luckily our bodies are fairly intelligent and quickly |
| Caffeine is only one of hundreds of compounds | | | | tell us when enough is enough. So if you're ever |
| found in coffee. Caffeine is also found in: tea, | | | | worried about your caffeine intake just listen to |
| chocolate, energy drinks, many soft drinks, | | | | your body. Is it really the taste of coffee you |
| medicines and cosmetics. So why is it that only | | | | want or just a break from your desk? |
| coffee gets lumbered with caffeine? | | | | Something to look out for in the future is caffeine |
| What's Caffeine | | | | free, as apposed to decaffeinated, coffee. Coffee |
| The big debate, is whether caffeine (and | | | | plants have recently been discovered growing in |
| unfortunately this will always include coffee) is any | | | | the wild which are naturally caffeine free. It should |
| good for us. Caffeine is a natural substance | | | | only be a matter of years before one or more of |
| produced by the coffee plant. Studies have so far | | | | these are commercially propagated. |