Taking time out with a cup of tea or coffee is one of life's simpler pleasures. But the short-term feeling of well-being is deceptive.
Caffeine "produces a moderate increase in blood pressure which over lifetime could lead to an increased risk in cardiovascular disease", says Prof Jack James of NUI Galway,who is co-ordinating an EU-funded research programme on its effects.
The research also suggests that "the net effect of caffeine on mood is slightly negative rather than positive", he says. This is because caffeine consumers' moods are not enhanced by a cuppa but simply restored to normal. After all, quitting coffee or tea often leads to withdrawal symptoms such as tiredness, irritability, lack of concentration and even headaches.
There's more to having a cup of tea or coffee than simply getting a caffeine fix, however. There's the excuse to take a break, put on the kettle, sit down, relax for a few minutes and have a ponder or, if you're in company, a chat. Even if you're not at home or near a kettle, going to the canteen or a take-away provides that vital break.
Thanks to an ever- increasing range of herbal teas and cereal drinks, it is possible to retain the pleasure of the cuppa ritual even if you decide to cut down on your daily caffeine intake.
Here are a few suggestions for a daily routine without caffeine:
Breakfast time Coffee lovers may baulk at the notion of a decaf for that vital early-morning hit, but at least it tastes like coffee. Another option is a so-called coffee substitute made from dried and roasted dandelion roots. Its makers claim it is an excellent diuretic and can help combat liver and digestion
problems.
Morning break Other coffee substitutes include drinks made from roasted barley, rye, chicory root, carob and guarana seed, a rainforest plant native to Brazil.
Lunchtime The digestive properties of peppermint, which have been known for thousands of years, make it an excellent after- lunch drink. It is also a stimulant, so helps provide a boost for the afternoon.
Afternoon break Rooibos tea, made from a shrub native to South Africa's Cedarberg Mountains, north of Cape Town, is an excellent caffeine alternative, as it looks and tastes similar to black tea.
Bedtime All the main herbal-tea brands produce sleep-promoting teas. Most of them include chamomile, for its soothing and calming properties.
Iva Pocock