More than just a Rider

I’m a self-confessed coffee addict. I really can’t take the ‘wake-up drink’ out of my system. In fact, I am regularly seen in espresso shops. In the morning, at night, during breaks or anytime when I feel like drinking, I drink. Coffee for me is like an addictive pill that I can’t get enough of.

Lately, I have read an article which explains why coffee is addictive. It said that the most common and well-defined effect of coffee is it being the stimulant of the central nervous system. Within a minute of drinking coffee, caffeine levels peak to generate vigilance, sharp concentration and improves mood. This is the reason why it is called the ‘wake-up drink’. While some people do well with this boost, others become over-stimulated. The side effects include insomnia, anxiety, irritability and diarrhea. In the past, coffee has been linked to an array of health risks, ranging from stroke, miscarriage, high cholesterol to cancer. Thus, we have to be cautious with the amount of coffee we can take. However, what the rider did not know is that coffee is not a substitute to a normal sleep. Riders who drink more than they're used to may become restless, jittery, or sleepy. Thus, it will be hard for him to focus on the road and may thus cause accidents.

This article made me think. Aside from the health risks, am I gonna forgo my safety on the road just because of my fondness in coffee? I think I have to like tea…