by Catie Martin

Created on: July 09, 2008   Last Updated: October 27, 2008

Coffee is a very enjoyable drink for those who live a balanced life. The benefits for some people outway any adverse effects. Every person who drinks coffee does not abuse the drink yet it is possible to become an addict to coffee just as some are addicted to sugar.

I know this from experience because I saw the effects in my own self. I can only attest to what happened with me as a warning to others who may fall into the same trap. I was not a very healthy person because I was using the caffeine excessively.

Now I drink this beverage for the effect as well as for the taste, I am moderate. Most of the time two small cups is about all that I want and certainly not before I am going to go to sleep. The last time I have a cup of coffee is at at 6 pm because if I do have a cup later than that I will be awake when I should be snoozing.

Coffee can be a temptation for us and should be seen as a treat and not as necessary for survival because then we cross the line and become slaves to a bean. After considering the effects that coffee has on us personally we can decide what is best. Experience is a good teacher and looking at our responses is essential.

I have noticed an increased alertness and with certain flavors its really delicious and refreshing to drink coffee. When I was attempting to lose weight the caffeine helped. Actually I lost too much because I was not eating enough calories yet now I am the proper weight. I was taking too many coffee breaks during the day and not eating enough nutritional food. Even though I do drink plain black coffee I am certainly open to new flavors and for a treat drink it with sugar and or milk.

Becoming dependent on a caffeine high is not a good practice for anyone who has other health issues that may be made worse by the addiction. Certainly if a doctor or other health professional consulted advises against it those suggestions should be followed. Some people connect coffee to smoking and have to cross the hurdle of disassociating the two.

There are individuals like I was once who want to drink coffee way too much and their systems get all disturbed. They may lose too much weight because of not eating what their body really needs. They may not be drinking enough water and other liquids and become dehydrated. Their own responses can determine whether the practice is beneficial. Basically the idea of self control is a concept that all of us could profit from when we consider our choices about what we drink.

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