New Study About Caffeine Consumption

[Ironhold]

https://www.yahoo.com/news/study-caffeine-nicotine-don-t-090200388.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAFZphoKgMkD9lPvWXL9vXL2l7DNRRQyU5bxdQuDMfMgQANSUMzlffD59zjiINrKp9OjtXE5Ks49S7dyOVm1uGF-SldALGTsM-o4ap6dwd_Rd9KPHiE2l70kcE-Fx2YVxSp8wP4PjKTIHMxz8BuOI0mP4iJJ6wBZTxauDyhv6NAlZ

The US Navy and Pepperdine College did a study on caffeine and nicotine consumption among Navy service members. 

What they found is that while caffeine can provide a short-term boost to alertness, prolonged use, especially during high-stress operations, can actually *worsen* the effects of sleep deprivation. 

Looks like the world is finally catching on to what we already knew...

[mikbone]

 

“The U.S. Navy’s Afloat Safety Climate Assessment Survey project collected the data for the study between October 2020 and June 2023, inviting sailors to voluntarily participate in the study via an email link. Sailors from 122 ships participated.”

 

Neither a study nor science…

[LDSGator]

When I first joined the church, a bishop and I were joking around getting to know each other. I told him how LDS seem very polite, very peaceful and that I didn’t think I’d fit in. 

With the most ironic tone in history, he said “Just ask a Mormon if we can drink caffeine. You’ll see.” 

Best. Bishop. Ever. 

[NeuroTypical]

In case y'all haven't had a good cry today, here's a story I found a lot of years ago.  About caffeine and mormons and how to not judge unrighteously:

Quote

Coffee by Wilfried Decoo

What do we know about the covert life of our members? Take Irma.

 She was around sixty when I, a young convert, got to know her. Each Sunday morning she shuffled from the front door to her chair in the living room we called our chapel. Always the same seat, third row on the right. She sat down, her chest heaving. It would take her a few minutes to ease down. The creases on her face exuded an elemental sadness. Her dress, outmoded, hung over her knees, but unable to hide the webs of varicose veins on her swollen lower legs. She had the portly contour of the worn-out female worker, tenacious but tired, fed for years on cheap fatty rations. She was from a submissive generation.

 - Good morning. Good to see you, Irma.

She nodded slowly, a little dazed, pleased to be recognized.

 We knew she had a problem. Coffee. It was obvious from her sporadic, gloomy questions in Sunday School or Relief Society.

- Can coffee keep someone out of heaven?

- What if someone obeys all the commandments, except coffee?

 Irma had been baptized quite a few years ago. She belonged to that group of early Antwerp pioneers, a leftover of immersions in the city’s swimming pool, by missionaries long gone. The details of her conversion were scant. Her husband did not join. Still, he had given permission for her baptism, but never attended Church. Irma had made clear that home or visiting teachers were out of the question.

 Her faith was simple and straightforward. In any lesson, when questions were so clear-cut to be unanswerable for those who thought to be wise, she was the one to respond promptly, with the echoing orderliness of the Catholic catechism she remembered from her childhood years:

- Why is it important that we obey God’s commandments?

- It is important because they come from God.

- How do we know they come from God?

- We know because it’s said in the Bible.

 But that coffee problem remained. More than once the teacher, spurred on to act upon the needs of the individual, prepared a special lesson on the Word of Wisdom. About the evil chemicals in coffee. The diseases it fostered. About David O. McKay politely but firmly refusing the cup of tea the Dutch Queen offered him. The touchstone of our commitment. Irma listened, hunching up on her chair, soaking in the words. We knew she got the message.

 When I was called as branch president, I interviewed her. She looked down, avoiding eye contact, as if sitting in a confessional struggling with guilt, and evaded answers. I was too young, twenty-three, too innocent to be able to probe behind the weathered face.

 One night, not long after the interview, I got a phone call. It was her daughter. As she introduced herself, I sensed the same limitations as Irma’s. She spoke in dialect, trying to sanitize vowels into proper Dutch. It sounded clumsy.

- You’re the Mormon priest, aren’t you?

 Sad news, she said. Mother has been hit by a car while crossing the street. Killed instantly.

 I scrambled for the right words.

 - Don’t feel sorry, she said. It’s better for her. You know what I mean.

- I… I am not sure I knew her that well.

- You know my father is a beast. Mom must have told you.

 It all came out. Irma had bargained her permission to be baptized at the expense of increased abuse. It was the first time in my life I heard the raw details of the evil hidden behind tidy doors.

 - And then there was that thing with coffee.

- I know, I said naively.

- Yeah, he forced her. That was the deal: on Sundays, he wouldn’t let her go to your church, unless she first drank coffee with him. He knew how to get her. But she loved you people. You’ve been good to her.

 Irma got a Catholic funeral. Her husband refused any other arrangement. A day after the burial a handful of us went to the cemetery to bid our own adieu. I dedicated the grave — that her body may rest undisturbed till the morning of the first resurrection. Next to the temporary black cross planted in the churned up soil we laid a modest wreath. On the ribbon it said: “From the Mormons, To a Saint.”

 Irma, up there in glory, forgive us for not having understood, for not having searched for more inspiration. And, at least in your case, for the inept lessons on coffee.

 

[Traveler]

I saw a study a while back that said that coffee is not a problem in moderation – with the one exception of developing the habit of not starting your day without the caffeine stimulation first thing when they wake up.

I do not know if there is anything to it – but in my younger days, I used to compete in cycling and skiing.  Both sports relied heavily on the use of caffeine for performance – especially endurance.  I never used caffeine and only once placed (in each sport).  But all the guys I used to compete against are no longer able to endure a ride or a day skiing.  I do admit that it is mostly due to pain (mostly back pain and arthritis).  I do not know what the connection is but I suspect that it is more about sugar and alcohol than caffeine.

 

The Traveler

[LDSGator]

11 minutes ago, Traveler said:

But all the guys I used to compete against are no longer able to endure a ride or a day skiing. 

That’s probably due more to natural wear and tear on the body than caffeine consumption. 

[Carborendum]

15 hours ago, NeuroTypical said:

In case y'all haven't had a good cry today, here's a story I found a lot of years ago.  About caffeine and mormons and how to not judge unrighteously:

Well, I'll follow that up with a little more upbeat story about some who didn't quite obey the WoW.

There was a community of Saints about 50 or 60 years ago in Arizona.  And among them was a well-respected man in the community known as "Uncle Earl."  Everyone called him their uncle.  No one knew him as Bro. xxx.  He was Uncle Earl to everyone.  And everyone said to the kids to try to act like Uncle Earl, and you'll be fine.

One day a group of priests were being taught about the word of wisdom.  

"So, we can't even drink cider?"

"Not hard cider.  That's correct."

"Well, what about Uncle Earl?"

"What about him?"

"Well, he doesn't like his cider unless it's got a little kick to it."

The advisor thought about it for a bit because he didn't want to knock Uncle Earl off of his pedestal single-handedly.  And there was the issue of defamation should this prove to not be true.  Eventually said," Anything Uncle Earl does is just fine."

I'm not sure if I agree with his answer.

[mikbone]

3 hours ago, Carborendum said:

The advisor thought about it for a bit because he didn't want to knock Uncle Earl off of his pedestal single-handedly.  And there was the issue of defamation should this prove to not be true.  Eventually said," Anything Uncle Earl does is just fine."

I'm not sure if I agree with his answer.

But there is one man I would mention namely [Orrin] Porter Rockwell, who is now a fellow-wanderer with myself— an exile from his home because of the murderous deeds and infernal fiendish disposition of the indefatigable and unrelenting hand of the Missourians. He is an innocent and a noble boy; may God Almighty deliver him from the hands of his pursuers. He was an innocent and a noble child, and my soul loves him; Let this be recorded for ever and ever. Let the blessings of Salvation and honor be his portion. 

Commentary from The Prophet Joseph Smith.

Joseph Smith became a great orator as he matured.  I love how he shared his love of P-rock while avoiding his sharp edges.

We could all learn from Joseph Smith.

We named #8 child after the gunslinger.  

When we blessed him in Sacrament meeting you could hear the the audible gasps.

Edited May 30, 2024 by mikbone

[Traveler]

3 hours ago, Carborendum said:

Well, I'll follow that up with a little more upbeat story about some who didn't quite obey the WoW.

There was a community of Saints about 50 or 60 years ago in Arizona.  And among them was a well-respected man in the community known as "Uncle Earl."  Everyone called him their uncle.  No one knew him as Bro. xxx.  He was Uncle Earl to everyone.  And everyone said to the kids to try to act like Uncle Earl, and you'll be fine.

One day a group of priests were being taught about the word of wisdom.  

"So, we can't even drink cider?"

"Not hard cider.  That's correct."

"Well, what about Uncle Earl?"

"What about him?"

"Well, he doesn't like his cider unless it's got a little kick to it."

The advisor thought about it for a bit because he didn't want to knock Uncle Earl off of his pedestal single-handedly.  And there was the issue of defamation should this prove to not be true.  Eventually said," Anything Uncle Earl does is just fine."

I'm not sure if I agree with his answer.

I was raised by very strict parents.  However, my father would often say, “Anything you see me do is okay for you to do.  If it is something that I do not do – you will be much better off avoiding it.  And if I catch you – you will automatically be in trouble.”  My wife was raised with the attitude – do what I say and not what I do.  It took her a while to adjust but she came around and is a wonderful example.

As a side note – my parents claimed that of all their kids – I was the most difficult.  My father was an accomplished artist – I have no precognitive visual capabilities and my main goal as a kid was to launch something into outer space.

We all have different skills (spiritual gifts).  I take this to mean that even though we can use others as example for certain things – we will never be what someone else is or intended to be – we best learn to navigate and master our own life and destiny (that I believe is the intent of agency).

 

The Traveler

[Traveler]

1 hour ago, mikbone said:

But there is one man I would mention namely [Orrin] Porter Rockwell, who is now a fellow-wanderer with myself— an exile from his home because of the murderous deeds and infernal fiendish disposition of the indefatigable and unrelenting hand of the Missourians. He is an innocent and a noble boy; may God Almighty deliver him from the hands of his pursuers. He was an innocent and a noble child, and my soul loves him; Let this be recorded for ever and ever. Let the blessings of Salvation and honor be his portion. 

Commentary from The Prophet Joseph Smith.

Joseph Smith became a great orator as he matured.  I love how he shared his love of P-rock while avoiding his sharp edges.

We could all learn from Joseph Smith.

We named #8 child after the gunslinger.  

A few side notes about brother Porter.  He was in attendance on April 6, 1830, when the Church was organized.  He was 17 at the time.  I believe he was Joseph’s childhood best friend and likely knew more about the first vision and many other such things than many others (even family) that knew Joseph.  Porter was also a loner, classical antisocial and not a religious scholar or interested in doctrine or church positions and if Joseph was a fraud – Porter not only knew him very well, but he would have exposed him.  Porter was very dedicated to Joseph and later to Brigham.

My great grandfather was a person that Porter noticed as a boy coming across the planes to Utah.  Porter sort of took the boy under his wing and trained him to become a US Marshal (among other things).   On occasions they worked together though Porter never had a partner.   There were stories about Porter passed down through our family.  My first son was named after Porter and great granddad.  Not necessarily a good idea – sometimes kids will take up some of the personalities of their name.

 

The Traveler

[mikbone]

44 minutes ago, Traveler said:

My first son was named after Porter and great granddad.  Not necessarily a good idea – sometimes kids will take up some of the personalities of their name.

I love many of Porter’s qualities.  We would have gotten by swimmingly.

[NeuroTypical]

3 hours ago, mikbone said:

...the murderous deeds and infernal fiendish disposition of the indefatigable and unrelenting hand of the Missourians.

Love it.  To the Missourians credit, in 1976 they did rescind the Mormon Extermination order and apologize:

Quote

WHEREAS, on October 27, 1838, the Governor of the State of Missouri, Lilburn W. Boggs, issued an order calling for the extermination or expulsion of Mormons from the State of Missouri; and

WHEREAS, Governor Boggs' order clearly contravened the right to life, liberty, property and religious freedom as guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States, as well as the Constitution of the State of Missouri; and

WHEREAS, in this Bicentennial year as we reflect on our nation's heritage, the exercise of religious freedom is without question one of the basic tenets of our free democratic republic;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHRISTOPHER S. BOND, Governor of the State of Missouri, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the State of Missouri, do hereby order as follows:

Expressing on behalf of all Missourians our deep regret for the injustice and undue suffering which was caused by this 1838 order, I hereby rescind Executive Order Number 44 dated October 27, 1838, issued by Governor Lilburn W. Boggs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF:  I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the great seal of the State of Missouri in the City of Jefferson on this 25^th day of June, 1976.
Christopher S. Bond
Governor

 

Quote

We named #8 child after the gunslinger.  

2 hours ago, Traveler said:

My first son was named after Porter and great granddad.  Not necessarily a good idea – sometimes kids will take up some of the personalities of their name.

Love that too.  Here is my wife with our own Porter Rockwell (Rock for short):

[mirkwood]

I played an RPG called Deadlands for a while.  Think haunted western rpg.  My character's name was Orin Porter Rockford.

[laronius]

We weren't allowed to drink caffeine growing up and I still choose to abstain. But I'm pretty sure there are things I consume food wise (quality and quantity) that are probably worse than caffeine. I've always been intrigued by the potential spiritual ramifications of choices/lifestyles that obey the strict letter of the law of the word of wisdom (things that keep us from holding a temple recommend) but clearly fall short of the spirit of the law. Will people be held spiritually accountable for a shortened lifespan or reduced quality of life for unhealthy eating? Are there other reduced spiritual blessings we experience? If so, it's a topic not discussed enough if at all.

Edited May 31, 2024 by laronius

[LDSGator]

Speaking of caffeine, I tend to look down on people who drink energy drinks because of the caffeine, but I absolutely love soda. Which is loaded with caffeine.        

[mirkwood]

Multiple prophets and apostles have/do drink soda with caffeine.  If caffeine was a WOW issue do any of you really think they would be consuming it? 

[LDSGator]

On 6/1/2024 at 4:26 PM, mirkwood said:

Multiple prophets and apostles have/do drink soda with caffeine.  If caffeine was a WOW issue do any of you really think they would be consuming it? 

I’ve drank cola in front of bishops and in ward buildings and no one cared. 

[mirkwood]

4 hours ago, LDSGator said:

I’ve drank cola in front of bishops and in ward buildings and no one cared. 

Good

[LDSGator]

3 minutes ago, mirkwood said:

Good

Every religion has that one issue that people use to show off how holy they are. In Catholicism it is yelling out prayers in Latin to show off. With Pentecostals it’s incoherent babbling to pretend you speak in tongues. From what I’ve seen, the same is generally true with LDS who refuse to drink caffeine.  

[mirkwood]

3 minutes ago, LDSGator said:

Every religion has that one issue that people use to show off how holy they are. In Catholicism it is yelling out prayers in Latin to show off. With Pentecostals it’s incoherent babbling to pretend you speak in tongues. From what I’ve seen, the same is generally true with LDS who refuse to drink caffeine.  

 

And a few other issues.

[LDSGator]

I forgot 80% of the Latin I learned in childhood but a few years ago at my friends wedding I showed off my pre-Vatican II credentials by stumbling through the “Our Father” in Latin. 

[Ironhold]

45 minutes ago, LDSGator said:

Every religion has that one issue that people use to show off how holy they are. In Catholicism it is yelling out prayers in Latin to show off. With Pentecostals it’s incoherent babbling to pretend you speak in tongues. From what I’ve seen, the same is generally true with LDS who refuse to drink caffeine.  

IRL I'm on a medical restriction to where I'm supposed to avoid caffeine. I've had a few sodas with it here and there, and can confirm that it does weird things to my blood pressure. So yeah, for me this part of the issue is a moot point. 

What I was looking at was the vast quantities some people consume over a prolonged period, which they then try to justify. 

[LDSGator]

Just now, Ironhold said:

IRL I'm on a medical restriction to where I'm supposed to avoid caffeine. I've had a few sodas with it here and there, and can confirm that it does weird things to my blood pressure. So yeah, for me this part of the issue is a moot point. 

What I was looking at was the vast quantities some people consume over a prolonged period, which they then try to justify. 

Hope you feel better my friend 

[Ironhold]

10 minutes ago, LDSGator said:

Hope you feel better my friend 

Thanks.

Back in 1992 I had a medical emergency that the doctors came to suspect was the result of a bleeding stress ulcer, but due to their own incompetence (military health care is an oxymoron...) they waited so long to give me an endoscopy that if it was an ulcer it had managed to heal itself. I was put on the restriction back then, and given that I now have some cardiovascular health issues it hasn't been lifted. I actually had to get after my mom in the middle of a CVS because she got it in her head that I needed water pills to deal with some swelling and she tried to hand me a package that was clearly labeled as having caffeine.