Caffeine may not give a jolt to health

The vaunted benefits of coffee and tea may be in spite of the stimulant rather than because of it.

By Emily Sohn, Special to The Times

A triple nonfat mocha may taste good, but it's likely the jolt that drives millions of people to fork over three bucks or more for the steaming cup of brown liquid. Between 80% and 90% of North Americans consume caffeine regularly, according to a 2004 review, with an average daily consumption equal to about two mugs of coffee or four 16-ounce bottles of soda.

The habit has become less guilt-inducing recently, with growing evidence that both coffee and tea can fight cancer, heart disease, diabetes, Parkinson's disease and more. Because most people equate these beverages with the caffeine in them, it's tempting to conclude that the stimulant is what gives these wonder drinks their powers.

That may not be the case. Caffeine's effects on health appear to be considerably more nuanced.

More >>