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What about caffeine?
Caffeine is a stimulant found in tea, coffee, fizzy drinks such as
cola and so-called sports drinks, and chocolate. Huge numbers of people
are addicted to caffeine, and though it's not as bad for you as many
drugs, it can still have harmful effects. Caffeine can make you more
alert in the short term but if you have too much there's a price to
pay.
What does caffeine do?
Caffeine causes irritation of the stomach and an increase in acid
production. It can aggravate stomach ulcers (even decaffeinated coffee
does this for some reason). Caffeine also causes irritability, insomnia,
a faster pulse rate and palpitations in some people. It makes your
metabolism work harder, putting a general strain on your system. Caffeine
also robs you of various minerals and vitamins.
How can you cut down on caffeine?
It may come as a surprise to you, but tea does contain caffeine just
as coffee does. A few cups of normal coffee or tea each day should do
you no harm but if you're consuming far more than that, think of ways
of cutting down. Herb teas and grain coffees can be just as refreshing
and come in loads of varieties. When it comes to chocolate, try the
'carob' chocolate, which does not taste as good as real chocolate, but
it is a much more healthy preparation. Fizzy caffeinated drinks are
best avoided altogether.
Read More:
Alcohol
Smoking
Illegal drugs
Uppers, downers, LSD and
solvents
Link to:
Caffeine & Health
What is Caffeine?
Caffeine
- A Habit of Living
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