What do you think?
The Truth about Caffeine
Is caffeine safe? And if so, how much? Award winning author and investigative journalist uncovers the truth about caffeine and helps you kick the habit forever. Learn everything you need to know while supporting a worthy cause!
Coffee, soda, energy drinks/pills and tea are popular favorites all over the world. They taste good, keep us awake and are sold virtually everywhere. But did you know that they’re all loaded with caffeine? Up until now, the medical community has remained divided on the potentially negative effects these favorites could have on overall health. But more and more studies reveal that caffeine may not be safe in large quantities. And for some people, even small quantities may cause damage to delicate bodily systems. The Truth About Caffeine exposes what some industries don’t want you to know about this highly addictive substance. By downloading this book, you can take real steps towards improving your health and supporting The Adrenal Foundation—an organization dedicated to promoting adrenal health education and helping individuals and families affected by adrenal disorders.
Caffeine is a drug that does not add any nutritional value to food or drink. The Truth About Caffeine presents a strong case for why it has never been proven safe and why caffeine consumption should be monitored and, in some cases, avoided. The book digs deeper
* The darker side of caffeine consumption
* Facts the beverage, confectionary and pharmaceutical industries don’t want you to know
* Caffeine’s potential role in heart disease, hypoglycemia, central nervous system disorders and certain cancers
* How to improve your overall health with regard to caffeine consumption
* And more
A portion from the proceeds of The Truth About Caffeine will go directly to the Adrenal Foundation. It’s available in print, ebook and audiobook format. Get your copy today to support an excellent cause and learn all you need to know about safeguarding your health from the effects of caffeine consumption.
Coffee, soda, energy drinks/pills and tea are popular favorites all over the world. They taste good, keep us awake and are sold virtually everywhere. But did you know that they’re all loaded with caffeine? Up until now, the medical community has remained divided on the potentially negative effects these favorites could have on overall health. But more and more studies reveal that caffeine may not be safe in large quantities. And for some people, even small quantities may cause damage to delicate bodily systems. The Truth About Caffeine exposes what some industries don’t want you to know about this highly addictive substance. By downloading this book, you can take real steps towards improving your health and supporting The Adrenal Foundation—an organization dedicated to promoting adrenal health education and helping individuals and families affected by adrenal disorders.
Caffeine is a drug that does not add any nutritional value to food or drink. The Truth About Caffeine presents a strong case for why it has never been proven safe and why caffeine consumption should be monitored and, in some cases, avoided. The book digs deeper
* The darker side of caffeine consumption
* Facts the beverage, confectionary and pharmaceutical industries don’t want you to know
* Caffeine’s potential role in heart disease, hypoglycemia, central nervous system disorders and certain cancers
* How to improve your overall health with regard to caffeine consumption
* And more
A portion from the proceeds of The Truth About Caffeine will go directly to the Adrenal Foundation. It’s available in print, ebook and audiobook format. Get your copy today to support an excellent cause and learn all you need to know about safeguarding your health from the effects of caffeine consumption.
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 17, 2016
There appears to be an agenda in the writing of this book, as the writing is ripe with opinion and lacks the scientific basis that would substantiate much of the commentary. Since I am not a coffee drinker, I was interested in the actual facts that support the "truth about caffeine" and found little in this book that documents the suppositions stated by the supposed expert. If you wish to spend five hours of your life reading about the truth of caffeine, a wikipedia review may provide more facts. If the time you have left with your life matters, you'll do well to direct your attention to a different source on the subject.
January 18, 2015
Fascinating read on the dangers and risks of the overuse of caffeine. I personally developed a "panic attack" after drinking too much coffee way back in the mid 1980's and as a result chose to had stop drinking coffee and any beverage with caffeine in it. I am not sure whether or not caffeine was being added to foods where you least expected it back in the day. For a period of 18 months thereafter I totally abstained. When I started law school at night while I was working full time and drive 120 miles a day, I had to go back to drinking caffeine as I could not maintain sufficient focus in the night classes without it. Now I drink maybe two cups a day and then some iced tea. I think that's where the difficult thing comes in when living in the modern world, yes too much caffeine can be harmful to one's health, but with all the demands on our time it's hard to stay focused for the time needed to do what we need to do with all the demands on our time. The good thing about the book is that it makes one think of the risks one may be taking with one's health, explains how much is too much at least at the high ends of usage patterns the book even has some suggestions about how to stop using caffeine all together. Whether or not you chose to give up caffeine is up to you, but I beleive we should have knowledge of what the risks are and suggestions on how to get off caffeine if one so chooses
December 26, 2014
I've been eating Paleo for about a year now, and the most astonishing thing I've learned is that you really are what you eat. This is not to be taken literally, of course, but what you eat and the way it metabolizes makes a huge difference when it comes to how your body reacts. After a few weeks of eating clean, all it takes is a few handfuls of potato chips to throw my body into a tizzy. The way the preservatives and salt work their way through my system produces a whole host of side-effects from pounding headaches to nausea and everything in between. It should be no surprise that other chemicals we consume in our food, especially when consumed in excess, can produce deadly side-effects, on par with other chemical dependencies such as drugs, alcohol and tobacco.
In The Truth About Caffeine, author Marina Kushner explains how a caffeine addiction can wreak havoc on our bodies. Caffeine is not a regulated substance in the same way as drugs, alcohol and tobacco. It is readily available at the supermarket for purchase and consumption by people of all ages, hidden in everything from soda pop to chocolate to coffee and tea. Chances are a single serving a day won't hurt you (depending on the size of your serving, of course), but drink even 6 to 8 cups of coffee per day and you open yourself up to a whole host of chronic problems, from a case of the jitters to brain-fog, headaches, heart disease, ulcers, and even cancer.
And that's not all. As with so many dietary concerns, women are more affected than men. Children, because of their lower body-weight and small stature, are further vulnerable. Even a single serving of caffeine daily, in a can of soda pop, say, can greatly affect a child's learning and behaviour.
The solution is simple: kick the habit. Avoid caffeine in all forms at all costs. Though an unrealistic proposition in the 21st century, given that most of us are not the hunters and gatherers of old, cutting back to a single, 8 ounce serving a day or less, might be a more doable solution.
Kushner's prose is awkward in places and mostly repetitive. She uses fear-mongering to get her point across, utilizing a series of dramatic--though incredibly interesting--case studies to illustrate the seriousness of the matter. Regardless, it got me thinking. The bottom line is caffeine is a chemical additive. Many of us try to avoid consuming dangerous chemicals like nicotine, artificial sweeteners and red dye #40. The Truth About Caffeine convinced me that there's a much needed spot for caffeine on that list as well.
Note: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
In The Truth About Caffeine, author Marina Kushner explains how a caffeine addiction can wreak havoc on our bodies. Caffeine is not a regulated substance in the same way as drugs, alcohol and tobacco. It is readily available at the supermarket for purchase and consumption by people of all ages, hidden in everything from soda pop to chocolate to coffee and tea. Chances are a single serving a day won't hurt you (depending on the size of your serving, of course), but drink even 6 to 8 cups of coffee per day and you open yourself up to a whole host of chronic problems, from a case of the jitters to brain-fog, headaches, heart disease, ulcers, and even cancer.
And that's not all. As with so many dietary concerns, women are more affected than men. Children, because of their lower body-weight and small stature, are further vulnerable. Even a single serving of caffeine daily, in a can of soda pop, say, can greatly affect a child's learning and behaviour.
The solution is simple: kick the habit. Avoid caffeine in all forms at all costs. Though an unrealistic proposition in the 21st century, given that most of us are not the hunters and gatherers of old, cutting back to a single, 8 ounce serving a day or less, might be a more doable solution.
Kushner's prose is awkward in places and mostly repetitive. She uses fear-mongering to get her point across, utilizing a series of dramatic--though incredibly interesting--case studies to illustrate the seriousness of the matter. Regardless, it got me thinking. The bottom line is caffeine is a chemical additive. Many of us try to avoid consuming dangerous chemicals like nicotine, artificial sweeteners and red dye #40. The Truth About Caffeine convinced me that there's a much needed spot for caffeine on that list as well.
Note: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 24, 2023
Felt way too subjective and biased, saying things like “those who poison themselves with coffee” and stuff like that. Most of the examples of bad effects were cases where the person was drinking over 10 cups per day, which the author seems to think is common. If you want to know more about caffeine I think there’s better resources than this book.
September 20, 2025
A lot of good information that would have been a lot more useful and compelling if not for the extremely subjective and biased way in which it was presented. Lots of exaggerated language, fear mongering, and hyperbolic sentences that really detracted from the strong science presented. Everyone knows caffeine is bad for you, and I had already quit and was seeking out information that would help me continue my education on how it impacts sleep specifically. Many of the side effects mentioned, I’d experienced personally including anxiety, headache, needing more to keep a baseline energy, interrupted sleep etc. There is a lot of good info here, the emotion just needed to be tamped down a bit lol
September 1, 2015
I can only describe this book as a missed opportunity!
I was so surprised that it has been published several times in new editions. The subject matter is brilliant but the book reads like a piece of suburban journalism along with sensationalism minus the scientific rigour, writing skills or editorial tightness to make it more enjoyable. I'm not happy with comments such as "..whose to say.." just because A is not proven now that in twenty years B may not come up in the statistics. Really? And the last chapter on how to quit - do it, do it now and you can save $2000 per year and in 50 years that's $100,000 was really an insult to intelligence. I would love this to be re-written with a science writing editor behind her and it will shock the pants off the world. Please give it another shot Marina...
I was so surprised that it has been published several times in new editions. The subject matter is brilliant but the book reads like a piece of suburban journalism along with sensationalism minus the scientific rigour, writing skills or editorial tightness to make it more enjoyable. I'm not happy with comments such as "..whose to say.." just because A is not proven now that in twenty years B may not come up in the statistics. Really? And the last chapter on how to quit - do it, do it now and you can save $2000 per year and in 50 years that's $100,000 was really an insult to intelligence. I would love this to be re-written with a science writing editor behind her and it will shock the pants off the world. Please give it another shot Marina...
November 2, 2020
Reading about caffeine as a November reading challenge. Ooof, this one is rough. Readers should take five minutes to google the author before reading - it helped me to understand my feelings of unease as I read it. The author seems very prone to confirmation bias and lays out the case against caffeine in a not-too-balanced way. My medical training caused my eyebrows to furrow a bit at some of the the (questionable) ways that the medical arguments were presented - and some of the information is downright "fake news". Read this one with caution and be sure to double check source material. I'm not opposed to an argument against caffeine but this is not the way to do it.
November 18, 2019
Puritanical style, with little evidence to support her idea that “coffee is bad”
May 23, 2021
Why are all the great-tasting foods bad for you?? its crazy, but true. Thanks to the Author for providing this useful read.
May 5, 2022
Review originally published November 2006
While browsing our new nonfiction shelf, an interesting title caught my eye. The Truth About Caffeine, written by Marina Kushner, sends a powerful message as more people than ever before are becoming aware of the risks of improper diet and nutrition.
As I rapidly read through the "Forward" section and proceeded to take the “Caffeine Quiz," I realized how little I knew. For instance:
* Caffeine toxicity is rare, but deaths have been reported.
* Caffeine is white in its pure form.
* Researchers compare caffeine addiction to cocaine addiction.
Did you realize the FDA does not require manufacturers to list the amounts of caffeine in their products? A special section tells how you can help to change that if you are interested.
There are numerous sections relating caffeine to specific problems such as heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, menopause, SIDS, birth defects, and even cancer. Have your adolescent children read Chapter 10 “Double Trouble, Kids and Caffeine?”
Compare that "Jolt" soda of 100 mg of caffeine to your Starbucks coffee of 550 mg. A single can of soda for an adolescent can be the equivalent of four cups of coffee for an adult. AND, all root beer is NOT caffeine-free, contrary to popular belief.
To get all the facts straight on any subject, take time out of your busy holiday schedules to visit your local library today. It’s just one of the reasons we are here for you. Have a happy, healthy holiday season!
Find similar titles within our catalog.
While browsing our new nonfiction shelf, an interesting title caught my eye. The Truth About Caffeine, written by Marina Kushner, sends a powerful message as more people than ever before are becoming aware of the risks of improper diet and nutrition.
As I rapidly read through the "Forward" section and proceeded to take the “Caffeine Quiz," I realized how little I knew. For instance:
* Caffeine toxicity is rare, but deaths have been reported.
* Caffeine is white in its pure form.
* Researchers compare caffeine addiction to cocaine addiction.
Did you realize the FDA does not require manufacturers to list the amounts of caffeine in their products? A special section tells how you can help to change that if you are interested.
There are numerous sections relating caffeine to specific problems such as heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, menopause, SIDS, birth defects, and even cancer. Have your adolescent children read Chapter 10 “Double Trouble, Kids and Caffeine?”
Compare that "Jolt" soda of 100 mg of caffeine to your Starbucks coffee of 550 mg. A single can of soda for an adolescent can be the equivalent of four cups of coffee for an adult. AND, all root beer is NOT caffeine-free, contrary to popular belief.
To get all the facts straight on any subject, take time out of your busy holiday schedules to visit your local library today. It’s just one of the reasons we are here for you. Have a happy, healthy holiday season!
Find similar titles within our catalog.
October 27, 2014
Marina Kushner, North America's leading authority on caffeine addiction, wrote this book as a mission, offering a great service to all of us. It alerts us to the dangers of addiction, and also offers advice on how to cut back on ingesting caffeine.
Knowledge is power. What this book does is offer clarity about the symptoms of caffeine addiction, such as jittery nerves, and about its causes—beyond drinking coffee—which many of us are not always aware of, and thus consume these foods without considering the results. In particular, our society must consider a proper nutrition, one that is does not lead to caffeine addiction, for our children and teens, as these are their formative years, and for pregnant women, as some reports links caffeine to higher incidence of miscarriages. And since caffeine poisoning is a real danger, increased awareness about it may one day lead to regulate the food and drink we consume.
I am glad this book is produced in audio so it may reach a wider audience. The narrating was well paced and reflected the sense of mission with which the book was written, and its thrust to motivate us for change.
Five stars.
Knowledge is power. What this book does is offer clarity about the symptoms of caffeine addiction, such as jittery nerves, and about its causes—beyond drinking coffee—which many of us are not always aware of, and thus consume these foods without considering the results. In particular, our society must consider a proper nutrition, one that is does not lead to caffeine addiction, for our children and teens, as these are their formative years, and for pregnant women, as some reports links caffeine to higher incidence of miscarriages. And since caffeine poisoning is a real danger, increased awareness about it may one day lead to regulate the food and drink we consume.
I am glad this book is produced in audio so it may reach a wider audience. The narrating was well paced and reflected the sense of mission with which the book was written, and its thrust to motivate us for change.
Five stars.
September 27, 2014
Whether you drink coffee or slug down energy drinks or abstain from caffeine all together it is good to have an informative book about what most don't even realize is a drug. I know a lot of people that suffer from things like chronic fatigue who had no idea that caffeine could be a culprit. It is a personal decision whether you want to partake in caffeine, but it is always good to know all the facts. Some benefits don't always mean something is good for you. Everyone is affected differently and it is nice to have a go to book for the information you need.
October 28, 2014
I've never been a big coffee drinker, but I've always been aware of the effect of caffeine. As caffeine is present in other things as well - chocolate, sodas and even some aspirin, I think we are living in a day and age where many people are oblivious to their addiction to it. This book paints an accurate picture of the realities of caffeine addiction, and encourages readers to kick the habit. Very effective and well-written. I would highly recommend it.
November 13, 2014
This book is informative about caffeine and it's affects Most people really don't know what the real affects that caffeine does to the body. I knew a lot before reading this book but I also learned some new things. If you want to find out the truth about caffeine this book is for you. Don't be left in the dark because it could save your life. Being a self-help book it wasn't boring like most.
September 14, 2014
This book is quite informative when it comes to caffeine consumption and why you shouldn't use it in excess. It explains how it can effect your nervous system, your sleeping habits and sense organs.
If you're looking to kick the habit all together or just cut back on your intake, this book will give you the knowledge and incentative to do just that.
If you're looking to kick the habit all together or just cut back on your intake, this book will give you the knowledge and incentative to do just that.
January 5, 2014
Interesting enough that it helped me quit coffee for a year. But I only lasted a year. Yea. While the information is educational and would make you want to give up caffeine, I did find it to be a a little bit on the side of wanting to get us to buy coffee-alternative drinks, like teecino.
April 21, 2016
Remarkable book and the lady had lots of guts to write and publish it. I think caffeine was never meant to be used and abused as it is in modern times. I think the book touched on a very serious subject and in a very nice way.
July 17, 2012
This book was a little preechey about coffee, and soda. It did have some good content regarding levels in drinks, and effects on your body. r
January 3, 2015
The Truth About Caffeine By Marina Kushner is not what I usually read however the author Marina Kushner kept my interest as I read the professional opinions interpreted by the author.
May 13, 2015
I was asked to review this book and I agreed, though I don't know why. I'm not interested in these types of books. I found it boring and I couldn't get into it.
August 16, 2015
Pretty fascinating and concerning...
January 9, 2022
Took me forever to complete this one. Couldn’t get into it.
March 11, 2010
Powerful resource about the dangers of caffeine. A must read!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews