The World of Caffeine:
The Science and Culture of the World's Most Popular Drug
Bennett Alan Weinberg, Bonnie K. Bealer
This is a great book - it is highly informative, very well researched and, also, entertaining. The authors take you on a compelling journey through the history and culture of how caffeine was discovered and how it has been used over the years.
Caffeine is unusual in that it is accepted and used right across the world. In the authors words:
"Caffeine is the only addictive psychoactive substance that has overcome resistance and disapproval around the world to the extent that it is freely available almost everywhere, unregulated, sold without license, offered over the counter in tablet and capsule form, and even added to beverages intended for children".
The history and science of how we have arrived at our current day coffee, tea, chocolate, and cola drinks is fascinating as is the information you learn about caffeine. For example:
- the caffeine in cola drinks is an additive usually produced from coffee and tea;
- the 'lift' caffeine gives you depends not only on how much you consume but on your body weight;
- Robusta coffee beans have a higher caffeine content than Arabica beans;
- caffeine is fat soluble and passes easily easily through all your cell membranes reaching all your major organs and your central nervous system;
- despite being one of the most widely researched drugs in use, we still do not fully know how it is able to act on so many body systems simultaneously;
- pure caffeine is extremely toxic and must be handled with hooded ventilation systems, masks and gloves.
Caffeine has been claimed to cure many ailments and to cause many others. The authors do a good job at presenting information on the health effects, reproductive issues, and caffeine dependence.
The book is divided into five main parts:
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Caffeine in history
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Europe wakes up to caffeine
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The culture of caffeine
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The natural history of caffeine
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Caffeine and health
Definitely an interesting book, very well written, and easy to read.
Click the image to check availability at Amazon.
Sharla Race