Andrew May - Cappuccino Cowboys

Do you drink too much coffee?? Andrew May talks about Cappuccino Cowboys and the effect coffee has on your performance.



Just say the word ‘caffeine’ and you’ll see people’s eyes light up. It’s the world’s favourite drug. Present naturally in foods and drinks such as chocolate, coffee and tea, it’s also added to energy drinks and colas to provide a stimulant effect. And although you wouldn’t expect it, you’ll also find caffeine in over-the-counter medications, including some painkillers and cold and flu remedies, where it’s used to enhance the workings of the active ingredient.

caffeine facts
• Caffeine is the world’s most popular psychoactive drug
• Coffee shops starting proliferating in Europe during the early 1820’s
• Every working day, Starbucks opens 4 new outlets somewhere on the planet and hires 200 new employees
• In Finland, the average adult drinks 10 cups of coffee a day!
• The Americans, Germans and the French reportedly consume nearly 70% of the
world's total coffee consumption
• Caffeine addiction (or caffeinism) is thought to affect 1 in 10 people


caffeine addiction quiz
To determine if you suffer from caffeine addiction, ask yourself the following questions.
1. Do you have to drink coffee to kick start every day?
2. Do you regularly rely on coffee/caffeinated drinks to boost energy throughout the day?
3. When you miss your daily caffeine intake, do you develop a headache?
4. Do you get anxiety, mood swings and irritable when you drink too much or too
little caffeine?
5. Do you drink more than 300mg (2 to 3 cups) of coffee a day?
6. Do all the employees at your local coffee shop know your name and everything
about you?
If you answered YES to three or more of the above questions, you may be addicted to caffeine.

how caffeine affects the body
You can feel the effects of caffeine in your system within a few minutes of ingesting it, and it stays in your system for many hours—it has a half-life of four to six hours in your body. While in your body, caffeine affects the following hormones:

Adenosine - Can inhibit absorption of adenosine, which calms the body, which can make you feel alert in the short run, but can cause sleep problems later.
Adrenaline - Caffeine injects adrenaline into your system, giving you a temporary boost, but possibly making you fatigued and depressed later. If you take more caffeine to counteract these effects, you end up spending the day in an agitated state, and might find yourself jumpy and edgy by night.
Cortisol - Can increase the body’s levels of ‘stress hormones’ which can lead to other health consequences ranging from weight gain and moodiness to heart disease and diabetes.
Dopamine - Caffeine increases dopamine levels in your system, acting in a way similar to amphetamines, which can make you feel good after taking it, but after it wears off you can feel ‘low’. It can also lead to a physical dependence because of dopamine manipulation.

caffeine quotient
"Caffeinism" is a state of chronic toxicity resulting from excess caffeine consumption. Caffeinism usually combines physical addiction with a wide range of debilitating effects—most notably anxiety, irritability, mood swings, sleep disturbance, depression and fatigue.
• If your caffeine quotient is less than 100 to 200mg per day, it is highly unlikely that you are a caffeine addict.
• If your total is 300 to 600 mg per day, you are undoubtedly experiencing some degree of mental and physical addiction to caffeine. Research shows an almost 200% increase of risk for ulcers. Disruption of sleep patterns begins at this level, and certain heart disease risk factors may be increased.
• Intake of 600 to 900 mg per day indicates almost certain addiction. Mood and energy levels are severely affected. Research suggests that your risk of heart attack may be twice that of non-caffeine users. If you are a pre-menopausal woman, your chance of maintaining optimal iron levels is slim. Click here for an easy to follow two week plan to quit caffeine.
• At 900 mg or more per day, you're a coffee addict, hook, line and sinker. At this level of dependency, all heart disease risk factors are significantly increased, as are the risks for stroke, psychological disorders and gastrointestinal disease. You may need medical help to kick the habit.

percolate on these ...
1. Tea substitute and Peppermint perk-up after 2pm
If you know that caffeine sends you on an energy rollercoaster, try black or green tea. With around half the caffeine, it can pep you up without the side-effects. They also contain L-theanine, a natural amino acid that lets you stay relaxed yet alert.
Caffeine has a half life of 5 to 6 hours, so a strong cup at 6pm can still have a strong presence in your body at 11pm when you’re wanting to slow down and switch off for the night. Substitute the afternoon coffee for a refreshing peppermint tea. There is no caffeine and peppermint is a natural energy booster.
2. Stay below 300mg a day
Follow the caffeine consumption guidelines and try to stick below 300mg a day
3. Juice first thing
Try and get into the habit of adding juice or fresh water to your digestive system first thing in the morning, then add some caffeine
4. Energy drinks don’t always give you wings!
Don’t be fooled - energy drinks aren't sports drinks and they’re not designed to keep up your hydration when you're active. They are often packed with unnecessary sugar and cause dehydration.
5. Keep it personal
Finally, caffeine tolerance levels tend to vary individual to individual. Some people can drink 3 pots of coffee at 11pm and still sleep like a log while others only need to smell a fresh brew of coffee and they’ll toss and turn all night. You are advised to work out what suits you, your tastes and your body.


Andrew May

Main Sources: Flip the Switch, Andrew May; Caffeine Blues, Stephen Cherniske; Caffeine, Stress and Your Health: Is Caffeine Your Friend or Your Foe? Elizabeth Scott, M.S; Caffeine Society, National Geographic, T R Reid