Let's Have Another Cup Of Coffee

A recent study, conducted by the discount health care service HealthSaver, revealed the coffee consumption and caffeine consumer habits in 20 major American cities, placing the Tampa Bay (Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater) area second in the nation, behind Chicago.

I was born and raised in Chicago and have lived in the Tampa Bay area for nearly ten years. Although I had in the past, I do not consume any products containing caffeine on a regular basis.

The study considered numerous sources of caffeine, including coffee, tea, sodas, energy drinks, chocolate, pain relievers and caffeine pills. Not surprisingly, the Seattle/Tacoma area, home to Starbucks, ranked tops in the most coffee consumption. Starbucks coffee must be a lot less expensive there.

I like caffeine but I have to limit my intake to a bare minimum (an occasional sip or two). The other night I pushed the limit by consuming two whole cups, laced with coffee brandy. The good old double caffeine whammy. Boy, did it taste good. The next day I was in pain; my hiatal hernia retaliated. It was my first attack of the New Year.

The study also states that responsible caffeine intake can have positive effects. Health benefits range from protecting against cirrhosis of the liver to preventing Parkinson's disease.

According to the AGA (the oldest medical-specialty society in the United States) – “Coffee and caffeine consumption reduce the risk of elevated serum alanine aminotransferase activity.” I’m not a Doctor, (however, I did spent 2 nights at a Holiday Inn Express one time) but this sounds like I should endure the pain and start drinking caffeinated coffee again. Plus it’s a lot less expensive than decaf.

The Beach Bum