why isn't coffee considered a dirty habit like smoking?

from the wastefulness of the kcups - to the sludge left behind ... why isn’t the addiction to caffeine seen as filthy as smoking? better marketing? coffee is unpleasant at a biological, evolutionary programmed level

 

Smoking has been associated with the big C. To my knowledge, coffee has not been implicated yet.

Currently: future neurologist, current psychotherapist Previously: investor relations (top consulting firm), M&A consulting (Big 4), M&A banking (MM)
 

Yeah, agree with chicandtoughness - we're at a point in terms of health-consciousness where the implications of any foodstuff are pretty well understood. While smoking is definitively one of the leading causes of preventable death globally, drinking coffee is almost unequivocally safe within so-called "usual" levels of intake and is arguably more likely to improve health outcomes than to cause harm at doses of up to three or four cups of coffee daily.

"Work is the curse of the drinking classes" - Oscar Wilde
 

Coffee has antioxidants, a positive impact on glycogen spikes/levels, and it is a brain stimulant, which can increase productivity and lead to better brain functionality. Coffee has also been associated with lower risk of heart disease.

Coffee is better compared with water consumption than with consumption of cigarettes and tobacco products. It's just like anything else, excessive amounts will be bad for you, but short of that, studies have shown it's nothing but positive as part of a well-balanced diet.

 

Wastefulness is both relative and controllable – we personally don’t use k-cups, we make a pot of coffee, we each bring thermoses of java to work. At work, I sometimes make tea, using a mug. Very rarely do I venture into a Starbucks or Gregory’s for caffeine on the go – and my understanding is some shops will use your reusable container, even giving a small credit or discount [like how some supermarkets give a 5 cent credit for each reusable bag you bring].

If you find coffee personally unpleasant, don’t drink it, it’s a free country. As said above, drinking coffee is closer to consumption of anything where “moderation is key”. Caffeine doesn’t transform normal cells into cancer cells and there’s no “moderate” amount of acceptable cigarettes to smoke. While there are some limited benefits relating to nicotine improving short-term memory and reducing anxiety/stress – the thousands of additional chemicals, tars, carbon monoxide, etc. more than negate those bennies, IMO.

Also quitting cigarette smoking is generally a far greater challenge than quitting or reducing your caffeine intake, which speaks volumes to smoking’s impact on both your mind and body and overall health. While you might get a bit irritable when reducing either one, it’s quitting cigarettes that often entails weeks or months [for some people, even years] of fighting cravings, battling weight gain and changing your habits and behaviors as to how/when you’d normally want to have a cigarette. One can switch to decaf coffee or tea and just primarily deal with mild headaches for a matter of days as you wean off the caffeine.

 
CRE:
  1. Good coffee is one of the most pleasant things I can imagine

yes

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

One thing is certain, both go great together.

However, lets be realistic about the health benefits. Black coffee (or coffee with a light amount of milk and no sugar) drank in moderation won't cause any negative side effects. However, what most people consider "coffee" is crap from Starbucks loaded with sugar, lots of milk, whipped cream, syrups and have 1 or 2 espresso shots that make up 5% of all the contents in the cup. The number of additives people put in their coffee negate any health benefits and puts you in the fast lane for diabetes.

Coffee is very acidic and is also a diuretic which can be tough on your intestines causing inflammation and leading to wonderful health issues such as hemorrhoids, anal fissure, and other possibly increased risk of crohns disease (this is according to my gastroenterologist)

Finally, Coffee is a stimulant like amphetamines (adderall) and cocaine, albeit less stronger. We know that stimulants can cause all sorts of blood pressure, heart, and nervous system issues, yet most studies (paid for by starbucks) touting the health benefits of coffee tend to never mention this. Hypertension is no laughing matter and considering the fact that people who drink coffee drink it multiple times a day throughout their entire adult lives, it's hard to imagine it not being an influencing factor in determining a persons blood pressure in the long-term. Lets also not forget insomnia. Apparently coffee is so healthy that you can't drink it past 4pm lol

I like coffee a lot and I'm not saying people shouldn't drink coffee. However most these studies are financed by Starbucks and the coffee industry, make assumptions such as the individual is in perfect health and drinks one cup of black coffee per day in the morning. That's rarely the case. Yes, there are health benefits from drinking coffee, but I think a lot of people are lying to themselves if they think there a no negative long-term side effects.

The real health benefit of coffee is that its the one substance keeping us employed and enabling us to do math in the morning.

 

Sugar in coffee should be negligible compared to the amount found in soda. If you're healthy, you'll be fine. I knew an older lady that drank a minimum four cans of Diet Coke daily. She was in her 50's and still going strong. This was 10 years ago though. Eating too much broccoli will give you kidney stones...moderation is key.

Full disclosure: I'm not compensated by Starbuck.

 

I don’t drink coffee for the fact that people need it to function and I don’t want to get addicted. Why start in the first place. You’ll also save some money over time.

It feels great not being dependent. I’ve gone to so many Starbucks with coworkers with cravings (multiple times a day when we’re on the road), and I get my usual - a bathroom break, a bagel, and a place to charge my phone for a few minutes. Sometimes one of those green juices.

Often I’m the only one like this. This is my perspective of you buddy : )

Have compassion as well as ambition and you’ll go far in life. Check out my blog at MemoryVideo.com
 
odog808:
I don’t drink coffee for the fact that people need it to function and I don’t want to get addicted. Why start in the first place. You’ll also save some money over time.

It feels great not being dependent. I’ve gone to so many Starbucks with coworkers with cravings (multiple times a day when we’re on the road), and I get my usual - a bathroom break, a bagel, and a place to charge my phone for a few minutes. Sometimes one of those green juices.

Often I’m the only one like this. This is my perspective of you buddy : )

Same, the #lowenergy people otherwise can’t keep up the productivity without it

 

I went cold turkey for like 1 or 2 years once and then once I rebooted I felt so much better.

Now I cycle and it's definitely the way to go. Anywhere from as little as 100mg a day (half a cup) to 800mg if work requires it. Ensures caffeine always hits and I can quit whenever. Usually have like 50mg on weekends.

Pills are also much more cost effective and easy to measure plus no side effects like heart burn or yellow teeth. Makes it a no brainer for me.

 

Illo ea officiis soluta et magnam. Dolor ut deleniti laboriosam culpa voluptatum culpa. Blanditiis soluta alias facere beatae voluptate.

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. (++) 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (202) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (144) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”