Caffeine: Are the Perks Worth the Price? Caffeine is the world’s most widely used drug. Approximately 90 percent of Americans consume caffeine in some form every day.
Is a caffeine habit harmless, or can it constitute an addiction to a potent drug? Janice Keller Phelps, MD, shares how at an addictions conference where she guest lectured, juice, and fruit were provided instead of the usual fare of coffee and tea:
“The doctors were furious. Some of the most virulent reactions came from three of the speakers scheduled to deliver addresses. They flatly refused to start the program until they had their morning cup of coffee. The sponsors had to order a special urn of coffee on the double, and we all had to sit around and wait until it was made and brought out before we could get on with the meeting. I was supposed to talk about addictions that day, but the scene we had just witnessed said more about it than I could have if I had talked all day.” 1
A large proportion of caffeine users exhibit dependence-like behaviors. 2 Just one cup of coffee a day can create dependency and cause withdrawal symptoms. 3 Caffeine has been called “bad habit glue” because it makes other drugs like nicotine more addictive. 4
“Grounds” for Concern. Americans consume 400 million cups of coffee per day or about 3 cups per person. The daily intake of more than half of Americans is 300 milligrams (mg) of caffeine; 30 percent consume above 500 mg.
Major dietary sources of caffeine are from coffee, tea, caffeinated soda and energy drinks. It also is found in varying amounts in chocolate, cocoa, caffeinated juice drinks. Caffeine-spiked water, alcoholic beverages—even gum—are now available. Many drugs, especially weight-control aids, alertness tablets, pain relief medications, diuretics, and cold/allergy remedies also contain caffeine. While caffeine can quench an occasional headache, repeated usage can cause “rebound” headaches when stopped.
Metabolic Mayhem. Caffeine causes metabolic mayhem by injecting stress hormones into the system. It manipulates dopamine for a quick lift, but it also can cause an increased risk for depressed mood and mental “fog” later on. How? Caffeine increases cortisol, a stress hormone, which at persistent high levels impairs a key memory and stress-regulating center in the brain, the hippocampus. 5 6
Caffeine uses chemical trickery to induce a state of alertness and wakefulness that finally results in fatigue and depression, much like a “plastic millionaire” uses credit cards to borrow large amounts of money that must be paid back at greatly inflated interest rates.
And interest comes due quickly with drug-induced energy and alertness. Symptoms of repeated caffeine stimulation and withdrawal are headache, fatigue, insomnia, decreased energy, decreased alertness, drowsiness, depression, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and mental “fog.” Flu-like aches, nausea/vomiting, and muscle pain/stiffness can also occur, leaving you craving more caffeine and creating a vicious cycle of dependence.
“Buzz” by the Bottle. Caffeine dependency can form at a young age, usually from caffeinated pop. One-quarter of American beverages consumed are soft drinks. 7 That is about 600 12-ounce servings per year for every man, woman, and child. 8 Teen consumption is the highest with males drinking about one-half gallon a day. 9
The mix of phosphoric acid, sugar, and caffeine is not good for the brain, bones or bodies at any age. A daily12-ounce soda adds 75 cups of sugar in one year. It increases obesity risk in children by 60 percent, and doubles the risk of diabetes in adults. Sugar-free drinks are often higher in caffeine and not effective in appetite control. Soft drinks drain stress-protective nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, and B vitamins. 10 11
Life-giving Lift. Real brain and body benefits come from good nutrition and lifestyle choices, not a drug. Eating plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans at regular meal times imparts real strength and vigor. Daily exercise increases energy and mental alertness and is a powerful mood-booster. Caffeine robs you of the deep sleep needed to rejuvenate cells, memory, and immune health.
Drinking at least 8 glasses of water daily detoxifies the cells; improves circulation and organ health; reduces fatigue; controls appetite; aids digestion; improves alertness; and cleanses the entire system of waste. Keep a bottle with you and drink between meals so you won’t be thirsty during mealtime.
It will take time to recover lost energy reserves as you shift your lifestyle to more healthful choices. If you are a heavy caffeine user, work with your health care provider and implement change gradually.
The Living Word
God understands our need for energy, cheerfulness, and strength. He has provided spiritual and lifestyle principles that increase our capacity to face life’s challenges: “He gives power to the weary; and to him with no vigor; He increases strength.” 12
It takes time to recover lost ground when we have practiced habits that have worn down physical and mental strength. God has promised renewal and guidance: “Those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. 13
We have seen how vital pure water is to our survival. Jesus Christ refers to Himself and His Word, the Bible, as the “Water of Life,” which He invites us to take “freely.” 14
God is inviting you to take hold of His strength and His ways today!
Balanced Living Health Series: 8 (BLHS 8)
1Phelps J. The Hidden Addiction and How to Get Free. (Boston, MA: Little, Brown and Co, 1986) p. 3.
2Psychopharm 2004 Oct;176(1):1-29
3Ibid.
4Psychopharm 1999 Mar:142(4)327-33.
5Clinical and biochemical manifestations of depression. Relation to the neurobiology of stress (2). Gold PW, et al. N Engl J Med 1988 Nov:319(7)413-20. 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
6Why stress is bad for your brain. Sapolsky RM. Science 1996 Aug:273(5276)749-50.
7National Soft Drink Association website: www.nsda.org
8Ibid.
9Liquid Candy. Jacobson M. CSPI
10Ibid.
11Rice, P. Stress and Health (Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Publishing, 1992).
12Isa. 40:29.
13Isa. 40:31.
14Rev. 22:17.
