NBC Los Angeles /

Health

Great Wall of Caffeination: the 57 Freeway Local line of demarcation separates the amped up from non-amped up

By  OLSEN EBRIGHT

Updated 1:18 PM PDT, Mon, Jan 26, 2009

Related Topics: Los Angeles | United States

2 Comments   Post a comment Post a Comment

Chichacha/Flickr Creative Commons

Westerners like their coffee with a shot of espresso. Easterners like their coffee decaf.

 

The 57 Freeway, the asphalt barrier that divides Los Angeles from the Inland Empire, has earned a new nickname: "The Great Wall of Caffeination."

According to a new study, Los Angeles is the fifth most caffeinated city in America. On the other side of the spectrum, Riverside/San Bernardino was ranked as the least caffeinated city.

Most Caffeinated:

  1. Tampa
  2. Seattle
  3. Chicago
  4. New York
  5. Los Angeles

Least Caffeinated:

  1. Riverside/San Bernardino
  2. Atlanta
  3. San Diego
  4. Minneapolis/St. Paul
  5. Dallas

The second annual HealthSaver Caffeinated Cities Survey considered numerous caffeine sources, including coffee, tea, sodas, energy drinks, chocolate, pain relievers and caffeine pills.

The survey, released Tuesday, was conducted to "determine the caffeine consumption habits and attitudes of consumers across the U.S., and to learn more about cultural views and health benefits of this morning pick-me-up, afternoon alert booster and late-night indulgence," according to a news release.

"With the advent of rich, high-end coffees, soaring popularity of energy drinks and national fascination with green tea, our (survey) has brewed up some very interesting trends, findings and results," said Brad Eggleston, vice president of HealthSaver. "This groundbreaking research is an important tool to help educate about the health benefits of moderate caffeine consumption in the United States."

Other Survey Findings:

  • For the second straight year, nearly one-half of all respondents (42 percent) said coffee/specialty drinks would be the hardest to give up.
  • Men are much more likely than women (47 percent vs. 39 percent) to say coffee would be the hardest to give up, similar to the first annual survey.
  • Nearly three-fourths (72 percent) of all respondents said they are not addicted to caffeine.
  • Among age groups, the older the consumer, the more likely they are to say coffee would be the most difficult caffeinated product to give up, a pattern similar to that found last year.

For more information, including last year's numbers and other breakdowns, view the news release here.

Comments (2)

Sort by: Most Recent | Oldest
  • Sharon McEachern Tuesday, Jan 13 at 3:30 PM FLAG COMMENT Add chewing gum to the list of products that have caffeine. More and more beverage, food and pharmaceutical products have higher and higher amounts of caffeine. Most people have no idea just how much caffeine they consume daily. A cup of joe at Starbucks has 50 percent more caffeine than home-brew.Caffeine can be seriously dangerous to your health. People who consume way too much caffeine can become caffeine-intoxicated and h ... MORE >
  • mom Tuesday, Jan 13 at 2:38 PM FLAG COMMENT I should have been in that survey. I have set a world record I'm sure on drinking the most Diet Coke!!!

Post a Comment

Name


Comment - You have 2000 characters left

Enter both words below, separated by a space, in the field located to the lower right. Can't read the words below? Try different words or an audio captcha. What's this?