Caffeine

[Smallpotatoes]

It's been a week since I stopped drinking diet soda. I had bad headaches the first day or two, but I'm OK now.
Saw my doctor about the reflux and trouble swallowing on Thursday. He prescribed a generic version of Prilosec. I'm seeing a gastroenterologist on the 25th.
It's the same guy I saw in 2003. I had an endoscopy then and there was nothing precancerous.
I'm a little worried I won't be so lucky this time.

 

[JackReacher]

This is my eighth day of drinking nothing but water. If you took the over, you win.

Changed my diet a bit. Nothing drastic, just smaller, more sensible meals. Couple miles on the treadmill three or four times.

Down 6 pounds. I'll be impressed if I can keep that up, which won't happen, I'm sure.

 

[Flying Headbutt]

A buddy of mine here at work swears by the Five Hour Energy drinks. I've tried it maybe two, three times. Seemed to work pretty well. But since Red Bull does the trick for me, you get more for your money with Red Bull.

The problem with Red Bull is there's a lot more sugar. You go to Target and get a six-pack of 5 Hour Energy for 12 bucks if you really need the stuff.

 

[JackReacher]

Sugar-free Red Bull.

 

[Dick Whitman]

Dredging up an old thread to report that I am down to one 7.5-ounce baby Diet Coke today. I'm a little unfocused, and I have a little bit of a headache, but I'm hoping to ditch it totally by the end of the week. Thought about trying to get through today without one, but the headache was throbbing a little too much.

The wife is pretty happy about it, but I don't think she'll be completely pleased until I also ditch Caffeine Free Diet Coke. I figure I'll kick the chemical addiction first, then go after the psychological one.

 

[Football_Bat]

I think most energy drinks are putrid, but I did find one I like: Rockstar Energy Cola. Tastes good for a cola and one can gets me going good.

Must be the ginseng, guarana and ginkgo more than the caffeine, 'cause all regular joe does is just ... keep me regular.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

If they ever make caffeine free Coke Zero, I will be a very happy man...

 

[cranberry]

I'll have a double expresso or a strong Costa Rican coffee (black) every morning. Sometimes another around 3:30p-4p.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

I want Mountain Dew to come out with its version of "Zero"

Although, I tried Mello Yello Zero the other day and it was pretty gross.

 

[YankeeFan]

I'll have a double expresso or a strong Costa Rican coffee (black) every morning. Sometimes another around 3:30p-4p.

Good man. Do you make the espresso at home, or get it from a shop?

And, pet peeve, but unless you're in France, it's espresso.

Just had two doubles. They did the trick in more ways than one.

 

[cranberry]

I'll have a double expresso or a strong Costa Rican coffee (black) every morning. Sometimes another around 3:30p-4p.

Good man. Do you make the espresso at home, or get it from a shop?

And, pet peeve, but unless you're in France, it's espresso.

Just had two doubles. They did the trick in more ways than one.

Usually, at home, from one of these...

 

[YankeeFan]

Old school. Nice.

 

[The Big Ragu]

Nothing wrong with a bialetti. They are as good as the day they started making them and do the trick as well as anything.

 

[cranberry]

The gaskets wear out pretty quickly if you use them everyday, like we do, but you can get replacement gaskets, too.

 

[Brooklyn Bridge]

You people who don't like drinking a whole pot could, you know, make less. I've been doing it for years because the other guy in my shop doesn't drink coffee. I make about 3 cups for myself. It takes a bit of getting used to the formula (you do have to cut down on water and coffee), but works just as well.


Or you can make it from a coffee press, which is basically foolproof and can be picked up at Target for about $15.

 

[The Big Ragu]

BB, I have every device possible to make coffee and espresso. And I love a good Brazillian coffee press as much as anything!

 

[Bubbler]

On Sunday, it'll be a year since I quit caffeine. Considering I found out this summer that I had a (minor) heart problem that was being exacerbated by caffeine use without knowing it back when I quit, I'm glad I did.

Finding Caffeine Free Regular Dr Pepper didn't hurt either, though I have to get when I'm on road trips.

 

[schiezainc]

I cut caffeine completely about two or three years ago but fell off the while a couple months back as soda was just too damn good not to drink it when out to eat.

I've cut out soda completely again as of this month and am down to a once-a-week Redbull just to keep me sane at work.

 

[jr/shotglass]

I've cut enough vices for this stage of my life. I'll keep my Diet Coke. And there's no point in replacing it with caffeine-free Diet Coke; I know the difference in taste, if not in effect.

Like I said in that other thread, Diet Coke. No Coke. No Pepsi, no Diet Pepsi, no Coke Zero. Nada. Diet Coke. In a can, preferably.

Surprisingly, coffee and tea never did a thing for me. Never got into either.

I'm done here. I need another sip of my Diet Coke.

 

[The Big Ragu]

Why do people on here consider caffeine a vice (other than that it has been fed to you that way)?

What are the known negative health effects of caffeine in moderation?

If anything, there are positive known effects, including lower risk of heart disease, diabetes and possibly less cognitive decline as you age.

About the only known negative effects of caffeine I know are that it constricts blood vessels, so if you have high blood pressure already it may be bad. Also it can make you jittery or anxious. But do most people who drink a couple of cups of coffee a day really walk around too jittery or anxious?