Coffee Addiction

A triple espresso coffee may not be the best remedy for pulling an all nighter, but the various kinds of coffees and other caffeinated products are the most popular solution among college students and office goers. Regular consumption of caffeine can lead to addiction. Coffee addiction may sound harmless, but no, it isn't. It is as harmful as cigarette addiction is. Once a person gets hooked on to caffeine, it is very difficult to get out it. However, many health professionals say that there are serveral alternatives to the chemical compound.

"Regular caffeine consumers can build their tolerance to the chemical or develop a psychological dependence on it", said Frank Schabel, assistant professor of health and human performance. Insomnia, irritability, headaches, muscle twitches, gloom, fatigue, constant discomfort and anxiety are all symptoms of caffeine withdrawal. If you develop these symptoms within a few hours of consuming caffeine, YOU ARE ADDICTED! On an average, people tend to consume close to 200 mg to 500 mg of caffeine daily. 200-500 mg? Sounds pretty harmless eh? You're Wrong. This 200-500 mg. is more than enough to get you addicted within some time of starting regular coffee consumption.

Drip coffee, as it is called, has the most caffeine content in it, usually around 230 milligrams in every 8 ounces, but it also greatly depends on how strong the coffee is. It is a common belief that soda has the highest caffeine content, but its not so. Close to 12 ounces of soda would only contain about 50 to 60 mg. of caffeine. Caffeinated drinks such as Soda, Coffee, Tea and there vast number of variations have gained immense popularity all over the world, in recent years.

Caffeine addiction is harmful, but not all that harmful either. A daily cup of coffee wouldn't do much harm, though it can get you addicted, but there are not many long term effects. Scientists say you would need nearly 100 cups of coffee a day to die of caffeine overdose!

Students are the most affected by the caffeine addiction. They gulp down mugs and mugs of coffees to stay awake all night to prepare for exams and eventually get addicted to coffee. They feel the symptoms of addiction while writing their exams! The 3 hours that they have to go without any coffee.. they feel restless, tired, stressed out, sleepy and uncomfortable. However, there are many less harmful substitutes to coffee available that can keep you awake all night as well as not poison you. Substituting energy drinks,water or juice for soda, munching pretzels or crackers also helps sta awake while studying.

Adequate sleep, regular excersise and drinking lots and lots of water are all alternatives to caffeine.

Quitting coffee abruptly is also not recommended. You should try cutting down over a period of time to reduce and eliminate any withdrawal symptoms that might be caused due to the sudden elimination of coffee from your diet.

Methods such as mixing uncaffeinated coffee with your regular caffeinated coffee, also help reduce coffee intake and cut down withdrawal symptoms. Never ever switch to decaffeinated coffee or caffeine free soda abruptly, your body won't like it. There will always be withdrawal symptoms. Hence to avoid it, always switch over gradually, slowly and steadily, little by little to ensure a symptom free withdrawal from caffeine addiction, the social evil!