The Truth About Caffeine: How Companies That Promote It Deceive Us and What We Can Do About It

Marina Kushner
SCR Books (2006)
ISBN 9780974758244
Reviewed by Juanita Watson for Reader Views (5/06)

Coffee is made from the roasted, ground bean of the coffee tree. It originally grew wild in Ethiopia yet now is cultivated throughout the world. Caffeine is the slightly bitter-tasting alkaloid chemical that is found naturally in many plants, including the seed (bean) of the coffee tree. Caffeine is one of the most powerful stimulants to the central nervous system (CNS).

In “The Truth About Caffeine”, Kushner dispels the myths of coffee consumption and reveals to the reader just how dangerous this popular pick-me-up really is to the body. A highly addictive substance, many people are hooked before they know it. It is qualified as addictive because the drinker eventually needs more and more to get the same effects (increased tolerance), and once intake is stopped there is a withdrawal period, which usually consists of headaches, fatigue, etc. Being such a socially accepted beverage, coffee is usually not the first consideration when someone isn’t feeling well, or has been diagnosed with some type of illness – Kushner states with her book, that caffeine intake should always be factored into the situation.

Kushner spells out how coffee is being linked to breast cancer, pancreas cancer, bladder cancer, heart disease, stomach problems, heartburn, and more. Though the author mentions other examples of caffeine problems, such as children and soft drinks, “The Truth about Caffeine” is really geared towards coffee and the effects of coffee on the body. I found much of the information about the dangers of caffeine and coffee very eye-opening. Being an on and off again coffee lover myself, reading this book reinforced much of what I’d already knew about coffee’s dark side. I will definitely be thinking twice before I have another cup of my old favorite.

Kushner has developed an alternative to drinking coffee, a soy bean product called Soyfee. She talks about the health benefits of the soy bean and suggests making the switch from coffee to Soyfee. I’m not a big fan of soy products therefore my opinion tends to be a little biased regarding this subject. Nevertheless, I do admire Kushners contribution to growing number of alternatives to coffee, her message on the dangers of caffeine, and her genuine interest in people’s health and well-being.

It is crucial that we begin to wake up to the fact that the seemingly harmless cup or two of coffee most Americans drink every day could be setting them up for illness and disease in the future. For this reason, I would recommend “The Truth About Caffeine” to anyone that is concerned about their health.

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