It is inhumane, in my opinion, to force people who have a genuine medical need for coffee to wait in line behind people who apparently view it as some kind of recreational activity. I bet this kind of thing does not happen to heroin addicts. I bet that when serious heroin addicts go to purchase their heroin, they do not tolerate waiting in line while some dilettante in front of them orders a hazelnut smack-a-cino with cinnamon sprinkles. ~Dave Barry


We seem to have a love/hate relationship with caffeine. When we can't sleep at night or we have the jitters, we blame coffee. But most of us cannot make it until 10:00 am without it. Caffeine is the world's most widely consumed psychoactive substance, but unlike others it is legal and unregulated. In the U.S.,  90% of us depend on our daily dose. 

Humans have consumed caffeine since the Stone Age. Many cultures have legends about its discovery. Hunters and gatherers discovered that chewing the seeds, bark, or leaves of certain plants had the effects of easing fatigue, stimulating awareness, and elevating one's mood. These effects have been proven by research that shows that caffeine use results in decreased fatigue and increased attentiveness. Medical researchers and nutritionists have revealed the health benefits of black coffee, antioxidant-packed teas and dark chocolate. 

Turns out caffeine does more than wake us up. In moderation, it is associated with weight loss, the treatment of asthma and headaches and a reduced risk of Parkinson's disease. Coffee consumption is accompanied by a decreased risk of depression, colon cancer and type two diabetes, according to researchers at Vanderbilt University's Institute for Coffee Studies.

Peter Martin, a Vanderbilt University professor of psychiatry and pharmacology, says that one to three cups of coffee in particular has been proven to reduce the risk of type two diabetes by several percentage points.

"Here, it's not the caffeine but a plethora of compounds within coffee, including chlorogenic acids, that can reduce the risk not only of type two diabetes but also Alzheimer's disease and colon cancer," says Martin, who runs the University's Institute for Coffee Studies.

The important thing to remember about caffeine, is that it is healthy in moderate amounts. According to the American Medical Association, moderation is considered three cups of coffee a day, or 300 milligrams of caffeine. If you're a tea drinker, you can double that to six cups, because eight ounces of brewed tea has 30 to 50 milligrams of caffeine. 

Heavy daily caffeine use — more than 500 to 600 mg a day, or about four to seven cups of coffee — can cause insomnia, nervousness, restlessness, irritability, nausea or other gastrointestinal problems, fast or irregular heartbeat, muscle tremors, headaches, or anxiety.

Some of us end up using caffeine to mask sleep deprivation. This can create a cycle that is difficult to break. You drink caffeinated beverages because you have trouble staying awake during the day. But the caffeine keeps you from falling asleep at night or increases the number of times you wake up during the night. interfering with deep sleep, making your night less restful. You wake up tired the next day and reach for your morning jolt of Java.

Cutting back on caffeine can be challenging. Don't go cold turkey or you will risk caffeine withdrawal with symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, irritability and nervousness. To reduce your caffeine intake, try these strategies:

Keep tabs. Start paying attention to how much caffeine you're getting from foods and beverages. It may be more than you think. Read labels carefully. Even then, your estimate may be low because not all foods list caffeine. Chocolate, which has a small amount, doesn't. Energy drinks often contain large amounts of caffeine.

Cut back. But do it slowly. Drink one less can of soda or drink a smaller cup of coffee each day. Let your body get used to the lower levels of caffeine and avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Go decaf. Many decaffeinated beverages look and taste the same as their caffeinated counterparts.

Make it quick or herbal. When making tea, brew it for less time, decreasing caffeine content. Or choose herbal teas, which don't contain the stimulant.

Check the bottle. Some over-the-counter pain relievers contain caffeine — as much as 130 mg of caffeine in one dose. Look for caffeine-free pain relievers instead.