A survey found that journalists drink the most coffee among other professions and are consuming more than the recommended intake, consequently compromising their health.
U.K-based press distribution company Pressat surveyed 10,000 professionals to find out how much coffee they drink in a day and their awareness of its health implications. The results of the survey showed that 85 percent of the respondents drink at least three cups of coffee a day and 70 percent of them felt that they couldn't function properly without coffee.
Journalists top the list of coffee drinkers, followed by police officers, teachers, plumbers and trade workers, nurses and medical staff, company executives, telemarketers, IT technical support, retail staff and drivers. The top three professions consume more than four cups a day.
"Could it be that being overstretched or working late pushed the workforce to consume more caffeine?" the researchers wrote.
Millions of people drink coffee to stay awake, reduce fatigue and improve concentration and focus. The recommended intake per day is up to 400 mg or four cups of brewed coffee. Too much caffeine intake can lead to insomnia, nervousness, irritability, irregular heart rate and stomach pain. Some people can be more sensitive to caffeine than others and may experience the same problems even in little consumption.
More severe complications resulting from drinking too much coffee include higher risk to stroke, anxiety and heart problems, but 62 percent of the professionals were not aware of any of these.
Politico journalist Dylan Byers agreed with the survey results: "This is welcome news. I drink at least four cups a day, and am pretty much useless without it. My colleague Hadas drinks at least two. I'm also obsessed with the science, economics and culture of coffee. I read articles like this when I need a 5-minute break from day's media news."
