My Daily Fix
Most of us have a routine that we follow on any given day. Since most people have a constant rigid schedule, developing a routine is helpful in managing the day. With such a busy schedule most people are generally tired and their routine usually involves a cup of coffee or tea, an energy drink or for some, a can of soda. What do all three of these beverages have in common? They all contain caffeine.
According to author AlanWeinburg, “caffeine is the most commonly used stimulant in the country” (vii). Although some numbers vary depending of the study, a report by The Journal of the Dietetic Association stated that “approximately 90% of adults and approximately 76% of children consume caffeine on a daily basis” (112). Most studies show that caffeine intake with children has sharply risen especially with the increased consumption of soda. A study by The California Center for Public Health found a link between obesity and the consumption sugar-sweetened sodas. The highlight of the study shows that 62% of adolescents drink at least one soda or equivalent sugar-sweetened beverage per day. The study also shows that a child who drinks at least one soda a day has a 60% higher chance of being obese. Also, the United States consumes the most amount of soda than any other nation and there are no shortages of Coca-Cola and Pepsi commercials to remind Americans how popular these drinks are.
Although there are high consumption rates of soda in this country, it is still behind another beverage that most people associate with caffeine. “Coffee is the third most popular drink in the world behind water and tea” (Rome 2003). Corporate giants such as Starbucks, Mc Donald’s and Dunkin Donuts invest a lot of money in advertising in an attempt to gain and maintain a foothold on this multibillion dollar business. In the past three years, “the number of 18-to-24-year-olds who drink coffee daily has doubled, from 16 percent to 31 percent” (Shute 2007).
Contrary to popular belief, caffeine is not considered an addictive substance. When comparing caffeine to other stimulants, “its intake does no harm to the individual or society… a significant level of impairment is rarely a consequence of its consumption” (Satel 493). I found this interesting because before I read this article I would have stated that I am addicted to caffeine. This report by the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse goes on to dispute caffeine addiction by stating “caffeine consumers do not display an inability to control consumption… and …that it’s ‘dependence’ does not engage in a behavior with negative consequences (Satel 494 -496) .
DAY ONE
DAY ONE
Oh boy, what was I thinking when I thought of this idea as an experiment….. I picked a hell of a day to quit caffeine. I had to drive down to Los Angeles yesterday which was fine since I was still able to consume caffeinated beverages on the way down but I had to drive back today, the first day if my fourteen days experiment. It made for a long drive with lots of yawning. When I made a pit stop during the drive home I stood in front of the cold drinks cooler at a gas station mini mart and while looking at all of drinks in the fridge, I quickly realized that my choices were severely diminished. It basically came down to fruit juice or water. Since I couldn’t make an immediate decision, I bought water and orange juice.
It’s amazing as I went through my mental list of drinks that I would normally have in this situation, I felt somewhat proud that I was able to have the will power to resist. This is a drive I do quite frequently but now that I think about it, I have never gone on a long drive without a cup of coffee, a soda or a Red Bull.
Now on the flip side, I was really tired driving home and fortunately I drove home in the afternoon and I got a full night of sleep. So it was not like I was driving in the middle of the night. As I was driving, I told myself that if I felt drowsy I would pull over for a nap or something. Good thing I didn’t have to stop at all.
I know that this task might get a little more difficult over the next few days but I am hoping that after a while my body will adjust and that I will not feel the withdrawals as much. I guess we’ll see and I will keep you informed.
