Many soft drinks contain caffeine and its related substance theobromine (from tea and cocoa) that act like sugar in their effects on the body.

They stimulate the adrenal glands to release an adrenal-like substance, which in turn causes the liver to release sugar into the blood stream.

That is what gives you the ‘lift’ or ‘chick’

The problem is that the blood sugar-regulation mechanism cannot long tolerate the constant stimulation of habitual caffeine ingestion.

Often the blood sugar lowering mechanisms overreact, causing low blood sugar and its concomitant complains such as:

• Chronic fatigue
• Dizziness
• Depression
• Allergies
• Behavioral disorders

Caffeine irritates the stomach lining and cause an increase in stomach acid (which can cause gastric ulcers).

In addition, caffeine affects the nervous system, leading to insomnia and restlessness.

Prolonged use of caffeine can contribute to a number of serious diseases:

• Cancer
• Bone loss
• Mental disorders
• Birth defects