7 Myths About Caffeine

For many of us a morning without coffee or tea is a like the proverbial day without sunshine. For me much of it is about the ritual. Okay, who am I kidding? It’s about the caffeine. Mmm, I love caffeine–that naturally occurring alkaloid found in the leaves, seeds and fruits of more than 63 plant species worldwide. But at what risk do I indulge in my morning coffee and afternoon espresso?

Caffeine is most famous for its role as a stimulant and it’s ability to delay fatigue. I clearly get a boost of energy and clarity, as had been scientifically proven. But caffeine has also acquired a bad-boy reputation–an unfair one, perhaps? Extensive studies into its safety show that there are still many misconceptions about caffeine. Allow me to tackle some of the myths surrounding my beloved alkaloid.

Myth No. 1: Caffeine is addictive
Facts: Well, this depends on what you consider “addictive.” Caffeine is a stimulant to the central nervous system, and regular use of caffeine might cause mild physical dependence–but caffeine doesn’t affect your life the way addictive drugs do, and thus most experts don’t consider caffeine dependence an addiction, per se. When regular caffeine consumption is quickly halted, some of us experience symptoms that last from one to several days–this can be avoided if caffeine consumption is reduced slowly.

If you try to stop cold turkey, you may experience one or more of these symptoms:

headache
fatigue
anxiety
irritability
depressed mood
difficulty concentrating

Next: Myth No. 2

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Angie H.

6:12PM PST on Dec 22, 2011

Caffeine is a drug! I was weened onto tea as a kid, I love it and miss it a lot as I got allergic to it. Had chronic fatigue for 15 yrs. Doc said I'd have to learn to I've with it as there was no cure! yeah Right! Also had severe insomnia. One night I went to bed and woke up with a huge rash all down my thigh over 3 days it turned into hundreds of blisters. Took 3 weeks to go away then a week or 2 later it would break out somewhere else. 2 Drs. said it was shingles I knew it wasn't. 5 months later no thanks to any dr. A friend told me her friend broke out in blister from caffeine. I was shocked as I had tried everything else never thinking it could be my 2 to 8 cups of tea a day. Stopped drinking tea and slept 10 hrs. a night for about 3 months and never got the blisters again. Use to then have one decaff in the a.m then my fingers were beginning to get arthritis looking nodules and pain. dr. said arthritis but blood test said no arthritis. I stopped the one decaff and pain in fingers went away only one knuckle has a bit of a deformed. I think caffeine drinks can cause arthritis. Use it sparingly and wisely. Oh decaffe still has a small amount of caffeine in it about 10%

send a green star

Patricia B.

11:45AM PST on Dec 22, 2011

I am trying to stop from drinking so much coffee!

jessica w.

11:38AM PDT on Sep 13, 2011

thanks

Past Member .

2:31PM PDT on Jul 12, 2011

i didn't know caffeine was in soft drinks !!!

Brenda T.

7:14AM PDT on Jun 22, 2011

I was told to keep off caffeine because I have high blood pressure.

Carol S.

6:12AM PDT on Jun 11, 2011

I'm caffeine sensitive, and as a seven year old was introduced to it by my late dad. I lost height due to not being fully grown yet, and my teacher threatened my dad if he did not take it away until I was. It CAN stunt growth in a young child, and should be withheld, to my personal knowledge. Also, I have weight-gain diabetes in my family (Type 2?), and lost a ton when I simply started using sugar substitutes instead of sugar. But still wish the sugar lobby in the US would try stevia instead of sugar cane, and dump the calories for others. Also, it is said that stevia is better still than the substitutes, due to ketonuric phenylalanine. I am new to this beat, and not fully abreast of these matters, but do not know why we cannot weed out some native crops and things that are not healthy and cannot also stop preying on human life by peddling addictive substances too.

Wioletta S.

4:54AM PDT on May 31, 2011

2:48PM PDT on May 22, 2011

Thank you

Mary g.

8:53AM PDT on May 19, 2011

is it true that those with fibrocystic breast should avoid caffeine?

will w.

12:20AM PDT on May 18, 2011

i love my coffee. and don't care a dam for what the experts say. as they say this today but tomorrow they say something else.
i think they terrorist trying to stave us out of food as they say food is bad for us.
my motto"if you like it have it . you only one life"