Woman Dies from Caffeine Overdose and Expert Calls for Action in New Book and FDA Petition

An autopsy released this week has found caffeine to be the cause of death for a woman from New Mexico. The incident took place in June 2004 after she was admitted to a hospital after a fight with her son. The injuries sustained were thought to be the cause of her lapsing into a coma but was later revealed that high amounts of caffeine were found.

"So many hidden forms of caffeine exist," says Kushner, "from baked goods, frozen dairy products, gelatins, puddings, analgesics and even lipstick!"

Kirkus Discoveries calls Kushner's new book, "A wake-up call about caffeine" and "full of interesting factoids" while listing specific health threats (heart disease, central-nervous-system disorders, ulcers, cancer) and mapping out specific routes to end dependency.

"It's unfortunate that a death must result to draw attention to this most insidious drug," adds Kushner. Her organization, the Caffeine Awareness Alliance. has formally petitioned the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) to require manufacturers of caffeinated products to indicate the exact amount of caffeine in milligrams so consumers can make informed choices.

Caffeine intoxication can produce mood swings and insomnia, increased muscle tension, impair digestion and nutrition, restrict blood circulation to the brain, raise blood pressure and accelerate the heart rate. Death can result in as little as 5 grams of caffeine.

"Life Without Caffeine" features numerous clinical studies by respected medical journals and healthy alternatives to coffee.

Marina Kushner is the founder of the Caffeine Awareness Alliance, the first non-profit organization dedicated solely to educating consumers about the dangers of caffeine intoxication. She is a reformed coffee drinker, leading investigative journalist and speaker. She is president of Soy Coffee, LLC, makers of the popular caffeine-free coffee substitute "Soyfee", which is made from soybeans. Certified organic, its brewed just like coffee and comes in 8 delicious flavors like hazelnut, mocha, french vanilla & house blend. Its available at select health food stores or online at http://www.soycoffee.com.

Gourmet Coffee Beans

You can be a coffee lover without knowing much about... Read More

Tips For Choosing The Perfect Travel Mug

A good travel mug is a must when you need... Read More

History of the Coffee and Espresso Machine

A large percentage of the population loves to drink both... Read More

Coffee in America

American coffee? Technically there is no such thing, at least... Read More

Coffee Storage Myths; Freeze Your Fresh Roasted Coffee & Other Popular Misconceptions

So you are finally fed up with that bland black... Read More

History of Instant Coffee

Mention instant coffee to any connoisseur and you are sure... Read More

Coffee Roasting De-mystified

How many different names have you run across for different... Read More

Italian Coffee - Something For Everyone

Espresso, caff? latte, cappuccino; there would seem to be as... Read More

What Makes Hawaiian Coffee So Special?

Coffee was first introduced to the Islands by Chief Boki,... Read More

Does Coffee Make You Fat or Help with Diabetes?

Who the heck knows?According to two studies published in the... Read More

Coffee - How to Buy, Store, and Grind it for the Perfect Cup

In the early days of the coffee craze, before the... Read More

A Little Secret Your Dentist Doesnt Want You To Know

Most dentist, particular those who specialize in cosmetic dentistry love... Read More

Gourmet Coffee Habit Costing Consumers as Much as $1,500 Yearly

Gourmet coffee consumers rarely consider the cost of their daily... Read More

Creating the Perfect Foam

Most places that serve cappuccinos in the United States have... Read More

Coffee Breaks - Do They Create Stress?

The American custom of taking break during the working hours.... Read More

Starbucks Product Review

Have you had the pleasure of tasting Starbucks new less... Read More

Those Elusive Coffee Beans!

With the spread of various coffee beans into our lives,... Read More

Coffee, Caffeine & Fitness

One look at a line at the local Starbucks in... Read More

Home Coffee Roasting

Home Coffee Roasting ? Makes all the differenceAs I sit... Read More

Coffee and Health

From the year dot, my mother taught all her children... Read More

3 Simple Tips For Making Perfect Coffee

Want to brew the perfect cup of coffee?Here are 3... Read More

Starbucks Coffee History

To summarize something as phenomenonally successful as Starbucks coffee history... Read More

Coffee Roasting: Learning the Fundamental Art of Making Coffee Can be Fun

Coffee roasting from light to very dark, is an art... Read More

Diabetes and the Preventive Power of Coffee!

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is one of the most rapidly... Read More

Coffee Is A Historic Beverage, And It Makes For A Great Gift

Ahhhhh, coffee... a fantastic dark beverage that wakes us up... Read More