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If you can’t face the day without a coffee fix, your genes could be to blame. It seems those who drink a lot of coffee have a gene that helps the liver break it down. So, craving a cup of tea or coffee in the morning may be due to your biology rather than personal taste. People with the caffeine gene – ‘caffeine addicts’ – need more coffee than others to get the same buzz. The gene could also explain why some people just can’t resist chocolate. (more…)

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Espresso means something to everybody. Some avoid it like the plague, others rely on it to kick start their day. Some don’t appreciate the high amount of caffeine it contains, while others see it as the perfect potion to ensure a late night out. Either way, espresso isn’t always easy to make, which is why this guide is aimed at helping you shop for the perfect espresso machine. (more…)

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Even those of us who do our best to eat well often end up dehydrated because we underestimate how much water the body really needs. Added to this, the caffeine in tea, coffee and colas acts as a diuretic, meaning when we drink anything caffeinated we need to take in more water than usual. Being dehydrated can affect energy levels, lead to high blood pressure, and interfere with good digestion. Here’s why you should stay hydrated, and some tips on how to. (more…)

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What you eat has a lot to do with how well you sleep. Insomnia can be caused by stress, anxiety, medication, depression, and a range of other complaints, both physical and psychological. But if all’s well in your world and you still can’t sleep, you may want to consider your diet. Sleeplessness could be caused by something you’re eating or drinking, or something you should, that you’re not. Here’s a list of sleep-friendly foods you can add to your diet if you’re in need of some kip. (more…)

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You may not be able to get through a morning without your first cup of coffee, but is the boost you get really from the caffeine that it contains? A new study suggests that coffee ‘addicts’ might be fooling themselves completely, or that the coffee buzz comes from some source other than caffeine. (more…)

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According to some researchers, indulging in a cup of coffee may do a lot more good for people who work long shifts like nurses and lorry drivers than simply keeping them awake. The research claims that a jolt of caffeine may improve job performance, which would mean fewer job-related injuries and accidents. This is good news for people who suffer from shift work disorder (SWD) as reported in The Guardian. (more…)