How much is too much? A recent poll conducted by Prince Market Research shows Chicagoans are the most caffeinated urbanites of any other city dwellers in the U.S. We eat more chocolate and drink more cola than anyone else and rank among the top consumers of energy drinks and coffee. Adding foam to the latte, according to the poll, we're also the most likely to say caffeine is good for you.
Frankly until this survey came out I didn't think I was a culprit in that number 1 status. But how much is too much? I'm one of those people who get up every morning with my cup of coffee.. but I usually stop at one. Okay if I have extra time, occasionally it's two. After that it's off to my workout. Which usually, but not always, is accompanied by an energy drink, depending on how late I get to bed. At least 3 or 4 hours pass before I get to work and then.. gulp.. have another cup of coffee or a soda.
I'd like to blame it on the fast paced life we lead, living in a major metropolis. But the problems is according to the survey.. residents in San Francisco, Philadelphia, New York, Detroit, and Baltimore consumed the least caffeine.
In terms of chocolate, I don't eat a ton of chocolate on a daily basis. But I will defend Chicagoans in that arena by citing a Chicago Tribune Article by Mark Jacob from Halloween..
"The Chicago area has been at the center of the U.S. candy industry, producing such treats as Tootsie Rolls, Atomic Fireballs, Lemonheads, Baby Ruths, Butterfingers, Milk Duds, Milky Ways, 3 Musketeers, Snickers, Oh Henry! bars, Frango Mints, Cracker Jacks, Turtles, Doves, Jelly Bellies and Pixies. Candy historian Tim Richardson credits Chicago candy makers with popularizing the tradition of giving sweets to Halloween trick-or-treaters, calling it "a simple marketing ploy that emanated from the city's confectioners."
So it's in our historical makeup to consume chocolate. It's pumping through the city's heart! And speaking of your heart, according to the American Heart Association the jury is still out on whether high caffeine intake increases the risk of coronary heart disease. But it can raise your blood pressure and heart rate.
Food or drink for thought.. the next time you reach for your coffee or your energy drink. I know I will continue to reach for them.. but I'll try to pay more attention to how often.
