SUN.STAR columnist John Pages’ column two Sundays ago talked about coffee and exercise. Apparently, John began his affair with the “brown cup” in 2007. I can’t remember when mine actually began but probably around the time John started drinking as well.
I was advised by my doctor to drink coffee many years back because I suffer regularly from migraine but since I don't like coffee, I ignored my doctor’s advice until the day my migraine attacks became so frequent and debilitating that I was willing to try anything. Besides, I figured that coffee was probably better than painkillers in the long run.
rCoffee has brought me much relief from migraine. But before you rejoice, know that coffee is not the panacea to migraine. Coffee can offer relief from a beginning migraine but a migraine in its late stage cannot be relieved with coffee. Know also that coffee is a double-edged sword. It can offer relief but it can also trigger a migraine. So don’t drink too much.
How much is too much? I only drink one cup of coffee a day. On rare occasions, I take two. I’ve read that drinking up to three cups of coffee a day is quite safe. I would imagine, though, that 8-10 cups of coffee a day is more than enough and can probably trigger a migraine when you withdraw from it. So learn to pace yourself.
Still, despite my daily affair with coffee these days, I still don’t really enjoy the taste of coffee. So why do I drink it? Well, I used to drink coffee only for migraine relief. Starting a month ago, though, I inadvertently discovered what all coffee drinkers probably already know—that a daily dose of caffeine can do wonders for one’s energy levels.
I do realize it’s my age catching up on me because now, it’s just very difficult for me to get through 14-hour workdays. It’s probably not normal to put in 14 hours of work a day but I’m used to working long hours—I have to because I take long vacations. Since I work hard and play hard, I need tremendous amounts of energy on a daily basis.
In the past, I had my youth to tide me through. Today, I subsist on coffee to get me past midnight.
For caffeine virgins, though, drink with caution. When I first started drinking coffee, it interfered hugely with my sleeping patterns. I also suffered palpitations. It takes a while for your system to adjust. Don’t drink more than what your body can take. And if you have trouble sleeping, I suggest you stay away from caffeine.
My tastes in coffee are quite unsophisticated. I prefer my coffee cold and black. On occasion, I do drink coffee with milk, sugar and everything else that can justifiably be called sinfully fattening. On a daily basis, though, I prefer it black.
I’ve always had very high energy levels since I was young. In the last few years, though, falling asleep on the couch has become a regular occurrence. While I always prided myself on always being “wide awake,” it’s been more like “fast asleep” in the last few years.
Youth forever lost, I say. To start the workday as well as to survive it—I really need my black cup in the morning. It’s been a humbling experience.
(sunstarcebucolumnist@yahoo.com)