Got to grab that cup of coffee every morning?  You may get the surge of energy but at what cost?

The effect of caffeine:

On cholesterol:

Coffee consumption is a major contributor to the variation in levels of total cholesterol. In a sample of sedentary middle-aged men, coffee intake exceeding 2 1/3 – 3 cups per day is associated with elevated plasma concentrations of 3 well-established cardiovascular risk factors.

On the fetus:

Moderately high levels of caffeine or coffee intake (more that 8 cups per day) may be teratongenic (abnormal structural development of embryo). Safe levels of consumption have not been established, therefore, pregnant women should completely avoid caffeine.

On benign breast disorder:

Cutting back on caffeine has relieved the discomfort of benign breast disorder for many women , but careful studies have yet to determine the role of caffeine in the disorder.

On blood pressure:

Caffeine (in amounts roughly equivalent to several cups of coffee) can significantly elevate resting blood pressure in subjects who do not regularly consume caffeinated products. Elevation in blood pressure produced by caffeine can add to the elevation produced by psychological stress. Therefore, the combination of caffeine and stress in daily life may produce significantly greater elevations in blood pressure than would either caffeine or stress alone.

On adrenal gland:

Caffeine stimulates the epinephrine and noreepinephrine and hormones to bring about a “caffeine high”. Eventually more and more caffeine is required to produce the same high and the adrenal gland will become fatigued and will not react to stress properly.

Common Symptoms of caffeine toxicity

anxiety and tension
headaches (usually diffuse, throbbing “tension headache” type]

Delicous Alternatives to Caffeine

Note: For those who are also dairy intolerant, it is important to watch for dairy in some grain beverage alternatives
Ovaltine- Contains barley malt extract, cocoa, dry whole milk, skim milk powder, dried whole egg, sodium bicarbonate and ascorbic acid. It tastes very satisfying, but wouldn’t be suitable vegans or those with allergies to theses foods
Horlicks- This is made from malted barley, wheat flour, skim milk powder, sugar, whey powder, hydrogenated vegetable oil (palm) and/or lecithin, salt, calcium carbonate, and potasium bicarbonate
Thuna’s Instant Dandylion Blend- roasted dandelion root, barley and rye
Canasoy’s Instant Dandelion Kofy- has dandelion, chicory, bran, wheat, molasses, lactose, vanilla, and malt.
Bambu- is an instant Swiss coffee substitute made from chicory, figs, wheat, malted barley, and acorns. The figs and acorns are reputed to give it a rich, velvety taste
Inca- contains extract of roasted malted barley, roasted barley, and roasted chicory.
Inka from Poland has extracts of roasted barley, rye, chicory, and beet root.
Cafix- a blend of malt, chicory, barley, rye, figs and beet roots
Coffree Swiss Blend Coffee Substitute from Bioforce – Chicory, figs, barley, acorns and wheat
Pero and Caro – roasted ground malted barley, barley, chicory and rye
Traditional Medicinals teas – Creamy Carob Line