If you’re like most red-blooded American men, you drink coffee.
It’s America’s third most consumed drink (after water and soft drinks).
And it’s been so ingrained in our culture that it’s one of the few socially accepted addictions.
Some men even drink an entire pot a day.
Should you be worried? An Australian study seems to suggest so.
You see, the most extensive study of coffee’s effects on the human brain was just conducted by the University of South Australia.
It included 17,702 participants aged 37-73, and found that those who drank more than six cups of coffee per day increased their risk of dementia by 53%. [R]
To add to the bad news, excessive coffee drinkers also had significantly smaller brain sizes.
Now, most of us don’t drink six cups of coffee per day.
But I think we’ve all had days where we’ve pushed that limit.
The truth is, coffee in moderation is fine. In fact, there are various benefits to coffee.
For one, it helps us focus. Not bad, considering attention is at a premium these days.
Also, as long as you take your coffee black, it has zero calories. Many have cured their binge eating habits by turning to coffee and the appetite suppressing effects it had.
The issue with coffee is when it becomes an impulsive habit.
Are you aware of how many cups you drink per day? Or do you impulsively refill your mug after each last sip?
Here’s a suggestion:
Try to see coffee-making as a meaningful ritual.
Schedule certain times in your day to make yourself a cup.
Try slowing down by using an AeroPress or a Chemex instead of a Keurig.
Take in the sounds, the smells, and of course, that first sip.
Taking this ritualistic approach to coffee will not only prevent excess intake, but it gives you the chance to truly enjoy that delicious brew.