I have addressed the benefits that coffee can have on some people with regards to exercise. It should be noted that this effect can occur with some people, but certainly not all. In fact, one negative experience I have had with coffee has made NOT have it before exercise. It makes me very weak, to the point where I actually cannot run for long periods, and when I say long, I mean for more than 5 minutes.

This, in fact, on my body, does not solely occur when combined with exercise. Coffee, as a whole, makes me weak. If it gives me energy, it is a nervous kind, one that cannot be controlled, harnessed, nor put to use. My love for coffee really does come more from it's socially binding powers and it's taste and comfort. Not for the energy it gives me, because it no longer gives me energy.

This, I believe, is not an occurrence which is alienated solely in my body, but in many a body. We can explain it quite easily if we take as truth the discoveries of Stephen Cherniske, who authored "Caffeine Blues" after studying the affects of coffee over a period of 10 years.

Cherniske states in his book that coffee does NOT give energy. This feeling we get, which we call energy, is caused by the body making an effort to rid the body of what it takes as a toxin, coffee, and it is this extra effort that the body must bring together that seems to us to be energy. A caffeine stimulation. To link that to why I, and many others, feel very weak and tired after coffee, lets explain this differently.

You are tired. Your body needs rest or food or something. Instead you give it coffee. The coffee asks, or demands your body to expend energy, energy it doesn't have, to get rid of it. Result, you now have less energy.

Over a period of a few years, theoretically this would cause a severe lack in energy and hence, a fierce dependance on coffee.

Another interesting point mentioned by Cherniske is the point about toleration. This recommendation that up to 3 cups a day is fine, is a scientifically unstable statement. Because when it comes to coffee, there is no 'OK' amount for every person. Every person reacts to it differently, or rather, can tolerate it to different levels. Furthermore, those on a very healthy diet, e.g. raw foodists, will seemingly be able to tolerate coffee a lot less than those on a MacDonalds diet. The cleaner the body, the less it can tolerate toxins, essentially.

Aware as we all are that coffee can deny us good sleep if consumed late in the day, we are not so aware that coffee, at any time, can ruin, if just a small amount, our sleep. As pointed out by Cherniske, Coffee inhibits the bodies ability to reach good quality deep sleep, the most important phase of sleep. This lack of quality sleep drives us in deeper to the coffee's lair.

One final point to consider, or rather, to discover, is exactly how much money is invested in the coffee industry. One of Brazil's largest exports is coffee. Brazil is huge and coffee is one of their biggest export. That's how much money is in coffee.

So, be very careful who you listen to.

Are the people promoting coffee earning money from it?

Too right they are.

Related links

http://www.alivefoods.com/nutrition.html#coffee

http://www.mercola.com/2003/dec/10/coffee.htm

Mint Cocoa Coffee

* 1 ounce of chocolate mint liquear
* Dash of shaved chocolate
* Whipping cream (optional)
* Regular coffee or try Dutch Chocolate Decaf flavored coffee