The Caffeine Habit

There are more than170 million drug addicts in the U.S.,andthe strange thing is that you can be

counted as one ofthem.You consume your drug of choice every day;you'd feel ill if you couldri'thave it;

you'd have a hardtime quitting it.

_______________(46)Andif you think you get it only in coffee,tea,coca cola,or in smaller bite ofchoco-

[ate,you haven'tbeenpaying attention.Food manufacturers recognize a hot market when they see it,and

with anywhere from55%to 90%of the U.S.population consuming caffeine every day._______________(47)The

popular Red Bullenergy drink is one of them,and others like caffeine-infusedgum,mints,beer,candy,even

soap一which is supposed to provide itscaffeine boost through the skin.

Regular amount ofcaffeine has been the subject of endless medical studies.We know caffeine could

work effectively bycontrolling neurotransmitters that would normally make you sleepy,improvingcognitive

Function and evenathletic performance.________________(48)"Exactly what level of caffeineis harmful is not

clearlyestablished,but generally more than five cups of coffee is too much,"saidphysiologist Harris Lieber-

man from U.S.ArmyResearch Institute of Environmental Medicine,who has been studying the effectsof

caffeine for morethan 20 years."It's typically possible to die from a caffeineoveruse,but,"says Dr. Eric

Lavonas, a North Carolinaemergency-room doctor,"you have to really work at it."_______________(49)Bill

Bradley,in 2000presidential candidate,attributed his irregular heartbeat to caffeine overuse.

In a country ofcaffeine addicts,it's unlikely that you'll never develop a serious problem,andthere

aren't any repaircenters for coffee dependence._______________（50)The highest caffeine boost can be felt one

hour followinginput,but significant effects can last for eight hours.If you're at risk forheart disease or

digestivedisorders,talk to your doctor about how much caffeine you should be drinking.Like any pleasurable

substance,caffeinecan be abused.So enjoy一butwith care._________（46）

A.Depending on thestudy,the stuff now is turning up everywhere.

B.The chemical thathas you addicted,of course,is caffeine.

C.But how much istoo much?

D.Far more commonare people who simply fall ill from eating or drinking too much of that stuff.

E.Here are seventips to loosen the death grip of caffeine addiction.