Caffeine...friend or foe?

So, I’m a major energy drink buff, but does that mean that caffeine is really helping? It seems to be an issue that scientists and studies vary upon. Some say that it needs to be used in moderation. But...what exactly is “moderation”? Some people are super-sensitive to caffeine, while other are not. So, moderation is different to each individual.

I have often seen myself cutting off caffeine completely (the headaches are horrible) and then going without for a while...before I get sucked back in. The longest I have been without caffeinated drinks was 4.5 years. I gave up drinking caffeine on January 1st of 2002 and didn’t drink caffeine again until May of 2006. (it seems like less than four, but you count the whole year of 2002. :) ) <- I had to redo the math because it didn’t seem right. :)

But, I am, once again, hooked on caffeine. Research has shown that caffeine is an actual better jump start to one’s day, however it can also make one get less sleep at night. If you only drink caffeine to start you in the morning, then the effects seem to be the best...but I tend to need jump-starts throughout the day. Although it doesn’t seem quite as effective. It could be because my alleged need for it at that time is from boredom, not being tired...easily confused if you ask me.

Those years of being without caffeine...I relied mostly on sugar to boost me from day to day. Luckily, I worked out so much that I didn’t get all pudgy. I worked out around 5-6 days a week...including cardio. I did alright in those days. The issue that I face with trying that again is this - so few beverages these days have sugar, rather than high fructose corn syrup (also supposedly is okay in moderation...). And I don’t drink that crap. Moderation for that is VERY little. But...that topic is for another day. :)

So...caffeine...friend or foe. I suppose it is both. It can either be an awesome helper that gets you going in the morning, or it can be an enemy that won’t allow you to sleep and drinks away all your cash-flow...the final decision is yours. :) GB!