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The Downsides of Coffee and Chocolate 2014
The Downsides of Coffee and Chocolate 2014
com
The downsides of coffee and chocolate
How to assess your caffeine addiction
And how to become caffeine-free
Last updated: 21/05/14
G.Moller 2007
Gary Moller
Inter Clinical Laboratories Registered Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis and Medical Nutrition Consultant
Academic Qualifications:
DipPhEd, PDip!eha", PDip#port$ed %&tago'
(ithout )ail, a"out e*ery mo+th, a+other report is released a"out the wo+der)ul health
"e+e)its o) a good cup o) co))ee or a "ar o) chocolate. (e hear little or +othi+g a"out
the dow+side o) their co+sumptio+. (hy is this, -as it a+ythi+g to do with the )act
that the co))ee "ea+ is a multi."illio+ dollar glo"al i+dustry, seco+d o+ly to oil i+
commodity tradi+g, /ou "e the 0udge. 1he chocolate i+dustry has a *ery similar
patter+ o) ra+dom out"rea2s o) good +ews.
(e hear that co))ee a+d chocolate are )ull o) healthy a+ti.o3ida+ts. ood )or your
heart, )or pre*e+ti+g ca+cer, 4l5heimer6s a+d so o+. (hat we do +ot hear is that a+
apple or 0ust a"out a+y other )ruit, let alo+e "erries, co+tai+s more a+ti.o3ida+ts per
ser*i+g. 7) the a*erage co))ee dri+2er replaced each o) their daily cuppas with a piece
o) )ruit, "erries or a )ew +uts, they would "e much more disease resista+t a+d would
"e addi+g years o+to their li)e e3pecta+cy, tha+ would e*er "e gai+ed through co))ee
or chocolate co+sumptio+.
I want to make it known before I go any further, that I really enjoy a good cup of coffee and am
equally partial to a block of chocolate. But too much of a good thing can be quite harmful. I am
going to explain the downside and then show you how to minimise the risks while still enjoying
the pleasures of a good coffee or block of chocolate.
7 co+cede there might "e a health "e+e)it . somewhere . "y co+sumi+g co))ee a+d
chocolate, "ut 7 remai+ s2eptical, "ecause "ig 8uestio+s remai+ o*er the impartiality
o) much o) the research "ei+g pedaled a"out. 1his is compou+ded "y the scarcity o)
research i+to their ad*erse e))ects a+d its lac2 o) pu"licity. 7 guess there is +ot much
)u+di+g )or this 2i+d o) research a+d 7 dou"t there are a+y massi*e corporate media
machi+es at the ready to e+thusiastically spread the "ad +ews a"out a product that
may "e ma2i+g hu+dreds o) millio+s o) dollars )or them.
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What is the downside?
7 am +ot e3pecti+g this to wi+ a+y )rie+ds "ecause challe+gi+g o+e9s addictio+s
usually ge+erates a hostile respo+se. 4+d the pro"lem with chocolate a+d co))ee is
they are highly addicti*e. 7t is "ecause they co+tai+ ca))ei+e which chemically addicts
i+ 0ust a matter o) days.
(e are a ca))ei+e.soa2ed society. :a))ei+e is a stimula+t. 7t is )ou+d e*erywhere . i+
tea, chocolate, cocoa, ma+y pai+.2illers such as ;uro)e+.Plus, <;o.Do5e= pills,
her"al party pills, so)t dri+2s, sports a+d e+ergy dri+2s, e*e+ i+ e+emas . a+d co))ee .
o) course>
:a))ei+e is e3tremely addicti*e a+d, "y e3te+sio+, so is co))ee . a+d a+y other product
or com"i+atio+ o) products that co+tai+ it. 7t is addicti*e "ecause ca))ei+e mimics the
"ody6s +atural +eurotra+smitters. 1oo much stimulates the +er*ous system i+to o*er.
dri*e a+d the +er*ous system respo+ds "y reduci+g its ow+ productio+ o)
+eurotra+smitters. 7+ +o time at all, the "rai+ a+d +er*es "ecome relia+t o+ the
e3ter+al source o) stimulatio+ 0ust to )u+ctio+ +ormally. 1he e))ect is *ery similar to
+icoti+e, which e3plai+s why smo2ers are i+*aria"ly hea*y co+sumers o) ca))ei+ated
products . a co+ditio+ o) cross addictio+ or reductio+ o) o+e addictio+ "y
su"stitutio+.
Let me tell you a couple of stories:
Cathy %+ot her real +ame', i+ her early 209s had "ee+ o+ wor2er6s compe+satio+ )or
most o) her short wor2i+g li)e, su))eri+g chro+ic pai+ a))ecti+g her upper "ody, arms
a+d ha+ds. #he was e+rolled i+ a physical reha"ilitatio+ programme. #he was also
u+der the care o) a gastroe+terologist a+d had "ee+ u+dergoi+g +umerous tests )or
se*ere "outs o) a"domi+al pai+. ;o progress was made with her reha"ilitatio+ or
a"domi+al pro"lems. 1he reaso+s "ecame o"*ious whe+ her )ather approached me
a+d as2ed i) her co))ee a+d Diet :o2e co+sumptio+ might ha*e a+ythi+g to do with
her health pro"lems. 7t tur+ed out she was dri+2i+g two 2i+g.si5e "ottles o) Diet :o2e
per day, plus se*eral cups o) percolated co))ee> #he was a ca))ei+e addict. 7t still
"lows me away that +o+e o) her medical specialists had co+sidered the possi"ility o)
her dietary ha"its "ei+g a )actor with her a"domi+al pai+. (e )ailed to properly
reha"ilitate her "ecause we were +ot allowed to deal with her addictio+ %#uch are the
restrictio+s o) medical ser*ice co+tracts' a+d 7 would +ot "e surprised i) hal) her
i+testi+e has si+ce remo*ed.
John %+ot his real +ame' was a you+g tradesma+ who su))ered disa"li+g migrai+es.
4ll the doctors could do was to place him o+ power)ul drugs that ga*e some relie).
$y )irst clue was that the migrai+es happe+ed mostly duri+g the wee2e+ds. ?po+
8uestio+i+g, 7 disco*ered that he co+sumed eight pea+ut sla"s, plus se*eral cups o) tea
duri+g each wor2 day. @ecause he was co+sumi+g much less i+ the wee2e+ds, he was
goi+g i+to stimula+ts withdrawal, triggeri+g a migrai+e.li2e headache.
Peter %+ot his real +ame', a you+g 71 specialist approached me "ecause he was losi+g
muscle weight. 1he )irst clue was he tur+ed up to the )irst co+sultatio+ clutchi+g a
"ottle o) diet co2e. 7t tur+ed out he dra+2 up to A liters o) :o2e per day, se*eral cups
o) "rewed co))ee a+d he smo2ed a"out 25 cigarettes per day> -is diet co+sisted
e+tirely o) ta2eaways. 7t came as +o surprise that he had de*eloped 1ype 77 dia"etes a
)ew years ago, progressi+g to re8uiri+g daily i+suli+ shots. ;o wo+der he was losi+g
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muscle> 7 was )urther asto+ished that his li)estyle a+d diet had recei*ed less tha+
passi+g atte+tio+ "y his medical specialists.
:athy, Boh+ a+d Peter all )ace li*es that will "e seriously hi+dered "y ca))ei+e
addictio+ a+d co+se8ue+tial health a+d li)estyle issues. 1hey ser*e to "low the myth
that ca))ei+ated products are all "liss a+d good health. 1here is a dow+side a+d it ca+
"e catastrophic. Cortu+ately, the co+se8ue+ces are less dramatic )or most people.
I can't stand the taste of coffee, so I will never be a coffee
addict. I drink Coca Cola (or Pepsi) occasionally, but have never
understood why it should be considered to be a central element of
western (at least merican) civilisation. I will happily eat lots of
chocolate, however ! but the hi"h su"ar and fat content rather than
the caffeine content is what compels moderation.# Gregor.
Too much caffeine is harmful
#ome o) the )ollowi+g may "e partially due to reactio+s to other su"sta+ces, such as
arti)icial sweete+ers )ou+d i+ ca))ei+ated products li2e *arious diet so)t dri+2s.
Digesti*e upset a+d damage to the gut, i+cludi+g ulceratio+s a+d polyps
E3treme )atigue, especially i+ the mor+i+g
Psychosis, especially i) com"i+ed with a *ery low )at diet
7mpaired co+ce+tratio+
-yperacti*ity
4ggressi*e "eha*iour
;er*ous tics, tremor, sha2i+g a+d muscle spasms
7mpaired athletic per)orma+ce %athletes ta2e +ote'
Disio+ pro"lems
#leepi+g disorders
!aised "lood pressure
$igrai+es a+d headaches
#tai+ed teeth, rotte+ gums a+d "ad "reath
Are you a caffeine addict?
7) you are +ot a mor+i+g perso+, i) you +eed that early mor+i+g cuppa to get goi+g, or
i) you )i+d yoursel) co+ti+uously thi+2i+g a"out the +e3t tea "rea2, the+ you might "e
hoo2ed o+ ca))ei+e. 7) you ha*e daily ca))ei+e )rom a+y sources e8ui*ale+t o) 2.E
cups o) percolated co))ee or more, or ha"itually ha*e e*e+ 0ust a si+gle cup "ut always
at the same time o) day, the+ co+sider yoursel) hoo2ed to some e3te+t.
7t is curre+tly the cra5e i+ ma+y competiti*e sporti+g acti*ities to ta2e massi*e doses
o) ca))ei+e. 1his is +ot healthy, with ma+y you+g athletes "ei+g suc2ed i+to this a+d
co+se8ue+tly "ecomi+g addicted, to the e3te+t they +eed their pre.competitio+
ca))ei+e hit 0ust to )eel <+ormal=, let alo+e o+ )ire>
Are you hooked on caffeine?
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1a2e the test to disco*er i) you ha*e a ca))ei+e addictio+. 1his is importa+t, whether
you are a+ a*erage perso+ who 0ust wa+ts to 2eep )it a+d healthy, or a serious athlete,
see2i+g sporti+g supremacy. &+e o) the "est measures that you ca+ do )or your health
a+d per)orma+ce is to get your "ody a+d "rai+ completely )ree o) ca))ei+e, so that
they ca+ operate optimally u+der its ow+ steam.
The caffeine addiction test
1his is really simple to start, "ut may +ot "e that easy to complete. :hoose your day
care)ully a+d the+ #1&P> 7 recomme+d you start o+ a (ed+esday so that you are
goi+g through the worst o) a+y withdrawal Criday a+d the wee2e+d a+d hope)ully o+
the way up "y $o+day.
-a*e +o more ca))ei+e or other stimula+ts o) a+y 2i+d )or 10 days i+ a row. 1o do this
properly, you +eed to read medici+e, )ood a+d dri+2 la"els *ery care)ully. :a))ei+e is
e*e+ )ou+d i+ some ma2e.up products to supposedly to+e the s2i+> @e especially
cautious o) her"al products, sports reco*ery )ormulas, weight loss product a+d her"al
teas. ;asal deco+gesta+ts a+d headache remedies may ha*e stimula+ts added,
i+cludi+g ephedri+e a+d ca))ei+e. 7) there is a hi+t o) a stimula+t, ditch it.
No pain-killers please!
/ou will )eel )i+e )or the )irst day or so, "ut "y day 2.E do +ot "e surprised i) you
"egi+ to su))er withdrawal symptoms which may "ecome 8uite se*ere:
#plitti+g headache/migrai+e
$uscular aches a+d pai+s
E3treme tired+ess, sleepy, do5i+g
$uscle wea2+ess
Poor e+dura+ce
Clu.li2e symptoms
@ad temper
1rou"le sleepi+g
Poor memory
Poor eyesight a+d sore dry eyes
Dry mouth, sore throat
:o+stipatio+
:o+sta+t cra*i+g )or a cup o) co))ee
7) the a+swer is <yes= to a+y o) the a"o*e, the+ you are hoo2ed. Depe+di+g o+ how
hoo2ed you are o+ ca))ei+e a+d other stimula+ts, the symptoms will ra+ge )rom mild
to se*ere.
Detoxify
;ow you ha*e to get all o) these to3ic stimula+ts out o) your "ody a+d gi*e your "ody
time to throw se*eral physiological switches to "egi+ to recomme+ce ma+u)acturi+g
its ow+ +eurotra+smitters as it should "e. 1his is +ot easy )or the hea*ily addicted
perso+ a+d +eeds at least 10.14 days o) "ei+g completely ca))ei+e.)ree to deto3i)y.
Warning! 1a2e care whe+ dri*i+g, or doi+g ha5ardous acti*ities that re8uire
co+ce+tratio+.
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old turkey
:old tur2ey is the o+ly way to do it. Duri+g the 10 days you must +ot gi*e i+to
temptatio+. ;o matter how "ad the headache, )atigue or the cra*i+gs, you ha*e to
tough it out . +o pai+ 2illers at all . +ot e*e+ a+ythi+g as i++ocuous as a+ aspiri+. ;o
chocolate dri+2. 1o o*ercome the addictio+, your "ody has to reset its physiology:
e*e+ the slightest wa*eri+g )rom your goal a+d your "ody will )ail to reset a+d
deto3i)y.
Duri+g this period a+d )or E.4 wee2s a)ter this, it is a good pla+ to a*oid situatio+s
where you are e3posed to ca))ei+ated products, or )eel pressured to ha*e <0ust a little
"it=. 7 ha*e "ee+ assumi+g that you are a +o+.smo2er. ;icoti+e )ree. 7) you smo2e,
all o) this ad*ice will come to +othi+g. 1he assumptio+ is also made that you are +ot
o+ prescriptio+ medici+es li2e a+ti.depressa+ts.
!eep up the nutrients
Duri+g this period o) deto3i)yi+g, it is stro+gly recomme+ded to ta2e i+
suppleme+tary *itami+s a+d mi+erals o*er the wee2s o) resetti+g your meta"olism.
Dri+2 o+ly water a+d ple+ty o) it, "ut do +ot o*erdo it . too much water ca+ actually
cause a se*ere headache. 7 stro+gly recomme+d that you co+tact me a"out getti+g a
prescriptio+ )or Dr (ilso+9s 4dre+al Catigue Programme. 1his programme will help
to calm the +er*es, reduce the se*erity o) head aches a+d migrai+es, calm "lood
pressure a+d reduce muscle cramps. -ere is a li+2 to more i+)ormatio+ a"out adre+al
)atigue, i+cludi+g Dr (ilso+9s "est seller "oo2 o+ the su"0ect.
"a#e a sauna twice a week
4 sau+a helps rela3 the "ody a+d mi+d while assisti+g deto3i)icatio+ o) the "ody.
Please read this article here a"out how to use a sau+a )or health.
4)ter a"out 10 days:
$ou will start to feel great
/ou will )i+d it easier to get out o) "ed a+d to get goi+g )irst thi+g i+ the mor+i+g
/our head will )eel clearer a+d your me+tal )aculties sharper
/our cra*i+g )or ca))ei+e will "e much dimi+ished or go+e completely
/ou will ha*e more stami+a
/ou will ha*e )ewer muscular aches a+d pai+s
@lood pressure a+d pulse will "e more co+siste+t
/ou will "e wo+deri+g what o+ earth to do duri+g tea "rea2s at wor2>
%taying free of caffeine addiction
&+ce 2.4 wee2s ha*e passed with "ei+g ca))ei+e.)ree you will )eel great. 1he
challe+ge +ow is to 2eep that way "y:
Li*i+g a li)estyle that is completely ca))ei+e )ree . choosi+g ca))ei+e.)ree products
li2e caro" chocolate a+d deca) co))ee or ca))ei+e )ree her"al teas, or +o+e o) these at
all.
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@ei+g a *ery sporadic ca))ei+e co+sumer. 1he sporadic optio+ is the o+e that 7 ha*e
chose+:
&+ly dri+2i+g tea or co))ee o+ special occasio+s, such as whe+ meeti+g a )rie+d )or
a cuppa "ut this must "e irregular.
;e*er ha"itually ta2i+g i+ ca))ei+e daily
;e*er ta2i+g ca))ei+e at the same time o) day, o+e day a)ter a+other, otherwise the
"ody9s circadia+ rhythms will ad0ust to this
&)te+ deli"erately goi+g se*eral days or wee2s i+ a row without a+y ca))ei+e
Limiti+g occasio+s o) ca))ei+e i+ta2e to a si+gle cup or e8ui*ale+t
&) course, ma+y people will opt )or their daily cuppa, pre)erri+g +ot to co+)ro+t the
Dar2 #ide. ;ot a pro"lem . it6s their choice, "ut certai+ly +ot )or meF "ecause, i+ my
"oo2, addictio+ o) a+y 2i+d mea+s loss o) choice a+d ris2i+g my health. @ei+g a"le to
e3ercise real choice represe+ts i+depe+de+ce a+d )reedom.
affeine and athletes
1here is much power)ul commercial hype, "ac2ed "y *olumes o) 0u+2 scie+ce that has
literally suc2ed the sporti+g commu+ity, i+cludi+g coaches, trai+ers a+d e3ercise
physiologists i+to "elie*i+g that ca))ei+e is a+ i++ocuous a+d esse+tial ergoge+ic aid
)or sport. 7t is +ot i++ocuous: ca))ei+e i+gestio+ is a practice that leads to i+co+siste+t
per)orma+ce a+d premature "ur+out. 1he lo+g term health co+se8ue+ces are real.
$y e3perie+ce is that e+dura+ce athletes who are addicted to ca))ei+e ca+ impro*e
their stami+a "y up to a whoppi+g 20G without ha*i+g to do a+y e3tra trai+i+g, i)
they 0ust )ollow the guideli+es i+ the article a+d "ecome ca))ei+e.)ree> 7) you are a+
athlete or coach a+d you do+6t "elie*e me, the+ ta2e the ca))ei+e test a+d pro*e me
wro+g.
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