The Dangers Of Caffeine...

[Baby_Sham]

Ok, so this gentleman had liver disease, which played a big part in his death, but I still wanted to share this and ask you all to make a concious effort to reduce your caffeine intake.
I've not had any for over two months now, and I can honestly say I feel ten times better for it. I used to have daily headaches and heart palpitations, which I put down to stress, late nights, and alcohol consumption, but after the first month of cutting out tea and coffee, I saw a huge improvement.


Scary stuff...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2453928/John-Jackson-dies-caffeine-overdose-energy-mints.html

[Old_Geezer]

You were probably addicted to get withdrawal symptoms. In moderation most things we have have beneficial affects too. Give it a bit and an article will come out extolling the wonders of coffee.

[Dizmo]

Too much of anything will kill ya.

[vulcan42]

The article is already here.
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/06/this-is-your-brain-on-coffee/?_r=0

[Baby_Sham]

I didn't drink enough to be addicted, I would literally have two cups of coffee in the morning, and maybe a cup of tea during the day.
I think I must just be sensitive to caffeine, but stories like this just make you realise how lethal it can be.

I can't think of anything that caffeine would be beneficial for.

[Baby_Sham]

Vulcan, interesting article, but, " It’s not clear exactly what coffee had to do with their longevity"... so there's no actual scientific proof then.

[Robinia]

That was a massive dose in man who was already ill.
I drink about 4 or 5 mugs of tea a day and have no desire or reason to stop. Caffeine accelerates the effect of painkillers for me.

[vulcan42]

Baby_Sham, I posted the link just to show Old Geezer that 'extolling the wonders of coffee' articles already existed. Personally I don't think enough testing has been done on either of the two theories.

[Baby_Sham]

I think my main 'shock' was that, as a heavy drinker myself, I suppose I wouldn't know if I had liver problems, until something was diagnosed/came to light.
I just think it's quite scary how something so 'harmless' *could* have such fatal results.

[Dizmo]

The same goes for alcohol and any other substance that is put through our bodies. Too much caffeine, alcohol, milk, bread, cheese, etc will cause damage. The list is endless. I think as long as we, as humans, moderate these things we shouldn't have too much of a problem. My business partner used to smoke 30-40 roll-ups a day and 20 cups of coffee. He stopped smoking and just increased his 'coffee' intake to compensate. My step dad has a side dish with his salt at night - too much salt will knacker you.

[Baby_Sham]

This is all true, but I think with alcohol, salt and cigarettes, it's far more 'known'. No one has a pint of vodka and thinks it's good for them, we all know the dangers of this, yet coffee is swigged back morning, noon and night, without a second thought.

[hc4361]

There's been a few deaths in recent years due to caffeine overdose

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-475021/Overdose-drama-girl-14-cups-espresso.html

[Zacs-Master]

I gave up caffiene about 7 or 8 years ago. I was mistakenly given a coffee at a diner in NY followed by a top up. About half an hour later I literally thought I was having a heart attack.

[Zacs-Master]

Sorry, meant I was given a regular coffee instead of a decaff.

[Baby_Sham]

Hc, blimey. It's the first I've heard of it, so I'm really shocked to read it's not an isolated case.

A good friend of mine had a similar thing happen to him, Zacs. He drank two cans of red bull (when it first came onto the market) and about half an hour later he collapsed and someone had to call for an ambulance as he thought he was having a heart attack.

I really do believe that water is a much, much better choice over coffee.

Well done Xerus! :)

[atalanta]

can't possibly reduce my coffee intake. I've already got too much blood in my caffeine-stream

[society]

Caffeine could be a dangerous drug to someone who's not used to it. I've never drank tea or coffee and one day decided to try some tea. That was a most unforgettable and learning experience. I was up all night, running to pee every five minutes, and my heart was racing out my chest. Never again...

[hc4361]

society, I was raised with a constant supply of sweet tea in my bottle, then my feeder cup and as soon as I was old enough to hold a cup it was non stop tea. When I was about 8 I joined in with the grown ups and had coffee made with milk before bed.

What do you drink if you don't drink tea or coffee? There is nothing nicer than a hot drink on a cold day

[Baby_Sham]

Society, it's only recently I've noticed the adverse effects it has on me, and I feel much much better without it.

Hc, yeah, me too. My Mum used to give us warm, sweet tea in our bottles and then cups.
I agree nothing beats a hot drink on a cold day, but there are plenty of alternatives.
Herbal tea's are lovely, and decaf (most), also I like to drink plain hot water with a few squeezes of lemon. It sounds boring, but I don't think I could go back to tea and coffee now.