“Coffee is not just a drink. It's a global commodity. As one of the world's most traded products-second in value only to oil-the coffee industry employs millions of people around the world through its growing, processing and trading. But while the coffee trade is vital to the politics, survival and economies of many developing nations, the industry's pricing and futures are decided in conference rooms and on stock exchange floors in some of the world's wealthiest cities.
Coffee accounts for nearly half of the total net exports from tropical countries and is representative of the economic and agricultural issues that developing countries face today. By 2001, coffee prices had fallen to their lowest levels ever, totaling less than one third of their 1960 levels. This fall in prices has impacted more than 25 million households in coffee-producing countries and has undermined the economic sustainability of countries in Latin America, Asia and Africa.”
~Taken from the PBS Independent Lens Black Gold site.
That being said, enter the research and writings of Marina Kushner in her book entitled, The Truth About Coffee, and we begin to compound the global coffee crisis. This book exposes coffee's darker side that scientists know, but the coffee industry has tried to suppress. Coffee is highly addictive, offers no nutritional value, and has not been proven safe. The Truth About Coffee uncovers short- and long-term health issues associated with coffee consumption. The book reveals why women should avoid coffee, the role of coffee in adrenal depletion and how coffee affects pH balance, and ultimately, health. Discover how eliminating coffee from your diet can not only improve your life, but quite possibly save it.
Marina Kushner is North America's leading authority on caffeine addiction. She is an internationally renowned lecturer, consultant, researcher, and keynote speaker. She majored in investigative journalism at the University of Moscow, Russia. Marina has traveled extensively throughout the world interviewing researchers, reviewing studies, and collecting information about caffeine addiction and intoxication. Marina continues to write many progressive articles online. She has also authored the following best-selling books: The Truth about Caffeine, The Truth About Coffee, and her latest award-winning book: Confessions of a Caffeine Addict: 40 True Anonymous Short Stories. Her work and her books continue to be supported and endorsed by leading health care providers and holistic practitioners. She is the official sponsor of "National Caffeine Awareness Month", an annual international event held in March.
There seem to be two points of view regarding the contents of this thesis on coffee. Some contend that this is one of the harshest books ever written about coffee. They claim that the author clearly has an agenda. They state that the book is littered with errors - the most incredible being that the author's statement that there has been "no evidence" found on the multiple benefits of coffee. Those contesting the validity
of this book state that this is simply not true. “A long list of different research studies have found that a lengthy list of over 30 different vitamins and minerals are contained in Arabica coffee and also in the Robusta species. Multiple research studies have found evidence of the benefit of drinking coffee. Its fine if you don't agree and rather want to support the research that has been found the opposite effects, but do not suppress the existence of contradictory data.”
On the other hand, the book is packed full of information about coffee and how it can affect those who drink enough coffee to become addicted. The author shares the opinion that coffee drinkers are almost always addicted at some level. Some of the information discussed in this book is common sense - caffeine withdrawal is difficult and that it's a stimulant that is readily available. The author goes into more details and states that the side effects of caffeine addition can be extreme and drastic. She states that some people exhibit symptoms that are similar to Parkinson's Disease. She also states that some people who have been diagnosed with mental issues may not be dealing with those issues if they weren't addicted to coffee. The amount of coffee taken in every day can increase over time which could lead to other issues. It may never occur to heavy coffee drinkers that they are addicted and that the addiction may be causing the issues they are experiencing.
Some of the information in this book may seem extreme. If you are a heavy coffee drinker, it may be a good idea to do your own research and make your own determination if you are putting yourself at risk. This book is a good place to start.