Is caffeine actually good for you?

[Whiplash]

I sure hope it's good for you, because I absolutely abuse caffeine.. and have done so for 25+ years.

And I mean.. bad.. I've been known to drink as much as a full pot of coffee and six Coke's in the course of a full day. Twelve packs of soda never last more than 3 days in my fridge.
(A lot more like two days)

 

[BenBurch]

Yes, the malignant hyperthermia mentioned in the post above the one you quoted. With it, you react to both halothane (used in common general anesthetics) and to caffeine.

Thanks!

 

[notsure]

I always drank lots of caffeine (via tea) for most of my life, but in the recent 5 years or so, I've had to be a lot more careful because of sleeplessness. Even if the other effects are good, not being able to get a good night's sleep can seriously decrease one's quality of life.

I have seen people who can have a cup of expresso right before going to bed and it doesn't bother their sleep.

I guess it would take a while for your body to get immuned from caffeine, mine hasn't worked out that way yet. But I would get a headache if I don't get my first cup of coffee by about 9:00am.

 

[roger]

I was told by my allergist that coffee is very good for asthma, and to drink a cup every morning. I loved that man.

I'm currently trying to figure this out. I'm finding non-source cites that caffeine is a mild antihistamine. But this paper says there is a minimal effect by caffeine on histamine broncoprovocation (whatever that means).

I'm curious about it because I've always self-medicated with lots of caffeine when my allergies are bad, based on the very simple observation that I feel better when doing so. But then it could just be the stimulant - allergies and the medications I take for them make me drowsy, so why wouldn't coffee make me feel better.

My doctor has suggested a reduction of caffeine due to acid reflex. I feel the force of that argument (literally), OTOH, I'd rather feel some indigestion than allergies. OTOOH, (the other, other hand) she claims that acid reflex can eventually damage lung functioning, not something I want.

Anyone have any insight on all of this? I'll talk to my doctor about this, of course, the next time I'm in.