Thinking About that Black Stuff

I copy/pasted a portion of the article "Cutting Out Coffee" from www.lifescript.com, which I think is a nice website. Check this out:

Cutting Out Coffee
Monday, July 21, 2008Are you a one-cup-a-day kinda guy or more like a nine-cups-a-day kinda gal? Coffee is as much a part of the average adult’s morning routine as brushing their teeth. B ut how good is it really for you? Find out if it’s time for you to give up that cup ‘o joe. Plus: Try our 14-day plan for quitting caffeine, without experiencing withdrawals…

The aroma of a fresh brewed cup of coffee or the taste of a freshly pulled shot of espresso is enough to get anyone out of bed on time, even on a dreary, cold morning. Coffee is truly a comfort “food.” But while some studies suggest that coffee is practically a health elixir with its abundance of antioxidants, others highlight the negative side-effects that caffeine has on our bodies.

The pros: In 2007 alone, studies concluded that caffeine supplements eased post-workout muscle pain and the combination of caffeine and exercise can reduce the risk of skin cancer. Other findings said three or more daily cups of coffee may aid memory in older women, and drinking five or more cups a day can help prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
The cons: In March 2007, the American Psychiatric Association said more than 250 milligrams of caffeine daily may cause insomnia, irregular heartbeat, muscle spasms, and the inability to concentrate. Other studies indicate that an afternoon power nap is more effective than caffeine at boosting energy levels and improving alertness. And most recently, in January 2008, the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology said that drinking two cups of coffee a day doubles the risk of miscarriage in pregnant women. (See related article: Is Coffee Crashing Your Diet?)

The research can be confusing, and so can the actual caffeine content of your favorite pick-me-up – coffee, soda or otherwise. You might be surprised at how much your drink of choice actually contains:
Grande (16 oz) Starbucks drip coffee = 330 milligrams
Grande (16 oz) Starbucks caffè latte = 150 milligrams
1 can (8.3 oz) Red Bull = 80 milligrams
Single shot (1 oz) espresso = 75 milligrams
Tall (12 oz) Starbucks Tazo Chai Iced Tea Latte = 75 milligrams
12 oz Mountain Dew = 54 milligrams
8 oz brewed green tea = 30-50 milligrams
8 oz brewed black tea = 47 milligrams
12 oz Diet Coke = 47 milligrams
12 oz Coca-Cola Classic = 35 milligrams
For a little less kick, check out these options:
16 oz Snapple Iced Tea = 18 milligrams
12 oz Nestea, sweetened or unsweetened = 17 milligrams
8 oz Hot cocoa = 14 milligrams
12 oz Lipton Brisk Iced Tea, lemon flavored = 10 milligrams
8 oz decaffeinated coffee, brewed = 2 milligrams
8 oz decaffeinated black tea = 2 milligrams

Even some foods and medications contain caffeine, so check those labels:
NoDoz Maximum Strength, 1 tablet = 200 milligrams
Excedrin, Extra Strength, 2 tablets = 130 milligrams
Haagen-Dazs Coffee Ice Cream, 1/2 cup = 100 milligrams
Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate Bar, 1.45 oz = 18 milligrams
Hershey’s Chocolate Bar, 1.55 oz = 9 milligrams

So will I be cutting out coffee?? Doubtful. But maybe, when you get up to so many cups a day your not keeping track it is time to cut down.... we'll see...