Morning Coffee/Pick-Me-Up or Caffeine Withdrawal Help?

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/blood-pressure/AN00792

It doesn't cause hyopertension, but if you already have it, I think you should not be consuming things that elevate the blood pressure even temporarily.

Swimpy, this is excellent info, thanks for the link. I have searched a little bit myself, but did not find any good one.

Caffeinated coffee? Never heard about that. And what a horror to read that chocolate should be reduced too. Are there decaffeinated chocolates out there?

Not that I know of. I haven't given up chocolate, btw. There has to be some joy in life.

By the way, I thought I should put a word of caution, in case someone has the same medical problem like me. Although I drink a lot of coffees per day, I only use 1/3 of a teaspoon per 10 oz cup. It makes a lot of difference on a cumulative basis.

Now you've done it -- had to walk across the street (okay, I got a nice view of the ocean, too) to get a cup of Mayan Mountain at Wild Oats.

I drink a mug (which is close to two cups except I use half-and-half, no sugar) and sometimes I don't finish it. Then, I either have tea in the afternoon or a half caffeinated, half de-caffeinated cup. It's important to take into consideration how big that coffee mug is -- the average one is really two cups. It's like I had three different sizes of red wine glasses, one as large as the Rose Bowl, even though I no longer indulge.

I also eat one small portion of at least 70% cocao chocolate in the morning and sometimes a piece in the evening (it actually helps me sleep).

I enjoy my coffee and will sometimes drink up to 6 or 8 cups when working through the day, but on the days when early appointments force me to forego any coffee, I don't have any withdrawal symptoms. That's means I'm okay, right? Please tell me I'm okay.

Coffee is usually one of several beverage I enjoy, but mild acid reflux disease has forced me to forego black coffee in favor of coffee with cream and a packet of Splenda which makes it an especially soothing, tasty treat.

I won't ever give up coffee until I am absolutely forced to.