COFFEE ADDICTS WHO NEED A BREAK

COFFEE drinkers are just as addicted to their favourite beverage as drinkers
and smokers are to alcohol and tobacco, a study has found. People who cannot
start the day without a cup are not just acting out of habit - their bodies
are responding to a physical craving for caffeine.

Researchers have discovered that regular caffeine use raises blood pressure,
affects intellectual performance and reduces blood flow to the brain.
Attempts to give it up can lead to acute withdrawal symptoms. David Kerr, a
consultant physician leading the research at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital,
gave up coffee for the study. He said: "The withdrawal symptoms were very
unpleasant. They started within 12 hours and the misery continued for a
week. I had a pounding headache that wouldn't go away and I couldn't
concentrate."

Twelve people volunteered to give up caffeine for the A3350,000 study,
which was paid for by medical research charities. All suffered withdrawal
symptoms including bad headaches, problems with concentration and difficulty
performing everyday tasks. The symptoms vanished as soon as the caffeine was
reintroduced.

Dr Kerr said: "People are always warned of how addicted they can become to
nicotine and alcohol, but they aren't aware of the addictive qualities of
caffeine. Even if they don't drink coffee, they are still taking caffeine in
tea, soft drinks, chocolate and cough remedies."

Dr Kerr, 40, and his staff have now switched to tea and he has banished the
coffee machine from his department.