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Coffee is not necessarily addictive

Many people feel compelled to grab their favourite brew from a commercial coffee machine day after day. When you need a pick-me-up first thing in the morning or a boost for the afternoon, there can be little better than a good cup of coffee to hit the spot.


But while some people might not know exactly where this strong compulsion comes from, it turns out that the notion of coffee actually being addictive may not necessarily be correct.

Indeed, the British Dietetic Association (BDA) has insisted that no firm scientific evidence exists that states moderate coffee drinkers can get addicted to the hot beverage.

So is it an urban myth? Research commissioned by the BDA and carried out by ICM certainly suggests so. The survey revealed that nearly three-quarters of coffee drinkers in the UK are trying to cut down on the amount they consume on a daily basis, as they think they might get hooked.

And it seems this is not the only falsehood that surrounds coffee. For instance, 50 per cent of respondents revealed they believe coffee is dehydrating and are therefore trying to drink less. However, the BDA insisted it has been scientifically proven that coffee can count towards a person's daily fluid intake, so any concerns they have are unwarranted.

Figures from the organisation show that overall, about two-thirds of people in the UK are taking steps to cut their daily coffee intake because these stories and tales have emerged over the years.

As a result, companies offering coffee machine facilities, such as restaurants, cafes and hotels, might be especially well-placed to quash these myths and give customers some actual scientific information. After all, they want and need people to keep buying their product, rather than end up seeing customers buying less coffee because of mistaken beliefs.