Health problems brewing for Kiwi coffee addicts

Your Sunday morning coffee might not be so much a pick-me-up, as a knock-you-down. Health authorities are worried New Zealanders are oblivious to health problems associated with daily caffeine intake.

Heart Foundation national dietitian David Roberts said studies had shown a link between high coffee consumption - more than five cups a day - and heart disease, because of an associated rise in cholesterol. There are also concerns about coffee affecting blood pressure and heart rhythm.

And if all that wasn't bad enough, researchers from John Hopkins University in the United States have found caffeine withdrawal symptoms include headaches, fatigue, decreased energy, drowsiness, depression, irritability and foggy-headedness.

Waitemata District Health Board's Robert Steenhuisen said it was amazing more New Zealanders didn't make the link between caffeine and headaches and insomnia.

"Every time things get stressful or they feel tired, they will have another coffee. Before you know it, the more stressful a situation, the more coffees people are having."

He said people trying to beat addictions for cannabis, heroin or alcohol often turned to coffee.

"I was a social worker on a residential programme assisting 25 people trying to beat addictions and they would go through 4kg of instant coffee a week."

The Heart Foundation said public education - rather than warning labels on coffee packets - was the best way to ease concerns.

"People have a choice, and they will just have to live with the consequences of their actions whether that be damage to their heart or liver or feeling irritable all the time and no sleep," said Mr Steenhuisen.

Aucklander Andrew Macky averages eight coffees a day and admits he's blase about potential health effects. "I have no other addictions. I don't smoke or anything. Just the coffee, and I enjoy it."

He admits he doesn't sleep until 1am most nights, but he doesn't blame the coffee.

"Five hours is all I need."

- HERALD ON SUNDAY