Starbucks Question

I copied and pasted this from the Men's Forum.  This is by DX.  If some of you don't know who he is...You really need to.  He is probably the most knowledgable person alive (including all MDs) in the world on WLS.  I believe he is a college professor who had RNY.  He had complications and was in and out of the hospital for 6 months.  During this time all he would do was read and absorb information on WLS and how it effects the body.  Just reposting.  Brian Sorry to pass on a re-post ... But, saves a lot of typing…  Randall Posts "Coffee Talk" every morning, and some have asked in the past... PLEASE SKIP! if not interested.......or (skip to the end for the "group participation section)

Many Dr.’s advise against it. I’ve seen this question a number of times-
Why No Caffeine?
And the responses are incredibly varied.
Although Caffeine is a MILD Diuretic,
It is often presented without the "Mild,"
And its powers to dehydrate us are often Overstated.
Yes, it does contribute to dehydration but not at
A level that is significantly higher
Than talking a walk
Or being exposed to "Air Conditioned" Air
For a prolonged time.
(in fact one recent study of Male Athletes,
showed NO impact on hydration what-so-ever.)
I wanted the "Absolute End All Info" from my surgeon
And his explanation was this-
"It’s not so much the Dehydration issue that causes me to
Advise people to give up caffeine prior to their surgery, but
The negative impact it has on Healing and the formation of
Scar tissue."
Whhhaaaaaaat?

Yep,
Caffeine constricts the capillaries,
Those smallest of the small little
Tubes in our circulation system.
It is in the capillaries that the exchange between the blood
And the cells of the body takes place.
Here the blood releases its oxygen and takes on carbon dioxide,
Except in the lungs, where the blood picks up oxygen
And releases carbon dioxide.
In the special capillaries of the kidneys,
The blood gives up many waste products
In the formation of urine.
Capillary "beds" are also the sites where white blood cells
Are able to leave the blood
And defend the body against harmful invaders.
Capillaries are so small
That when you look at blood flowing through them
Under a microscope,
The cells have to pass through in single file.
When these capillaries constrict,
All of these activities are reduced.

Even though Caffeine is a "Vasodilator,"
(a substance that causes blood vessels, deeper in the body
To become wider by relaxing the smooth muscle in the vessel wall)
That is only the larger veins and arteries,
Caffeine is one of the few Vasodilators,
(as is the herb- feverfew)
That has the exact opposite effect
On the small blood vessels- Capillaries.

Since the area of a trauma or cut need extra Blood/oxygen/food exchanges
in order to heal the tissue, anything that constricts the capillaries
slows the production of new tissue- Healing.

It is the same with nicotine.
Someone who smokes and consumes even moderate amounts of caffeine,
"Heals" or generates new tissue 40% to 60% slower than those who do not.
This also accounts for the less elastic and more wrinkled skin
or those who smoke and consume caffeine.

Doing a little extra internet and library research-
There are numerous other bad things about caffeine, such as-
A significant association between caffeine and decreased bone mineral density.
(however, this can be off set by just one serving of milk per day)
In Pregnancies, mal-formations in fetus,
And prior to becoming pregnant, caffeine reduces fertility rates.
(However, these effects have only been seen in rats
And no Human studies have ever been sited as conclusive)
The list of-
"Bad, but not too…."
Goes on and on.
Caffeine, it seems, is one of the most studied of compounds
that we humans take into our bodies and the effects,
Other than the Constriction of Capillaries,
is marginal and in nearly every study,
rides the fence of what could be considered "Significant."
Even the constriction of the Capillaries
in combination with it’s mild Vasodilator effects,
Are a Good Thing,
If you are trying to reduce the symptoms of a Migraine headache.

Since my Doc is a Bariatric Surgeon,
I asked specifics as to how it would effect my Pouch.
Once again, it’s a "Fence Sitter."
Yes, coffee is a mild irritant to the pouch and should be avoided early on.
But, It’s not the caffeine that is the "baddie.".
It’s the tannic acids from coffee that are present even in De-Caf,
so switching to De-Caf for it’s benefits on pouch irritation
is a little like switching from Bourbon to Scotch
so you can Drive home safely from the party.
Just some "Food for Thought" about caffeine-

It’s the only "psycho-active substance"
That We, in fact every country on the planet,
Regularly dispenses to children.
Cokes, chocolate, etc…
Although sites touting the "Benefits of Caffeine"
(see below)
All include the persuasive fact that it is "Natural"
"Occurring in Nature" and some how this makes it
"Not a Drug."
The THC active ingredient in marijuana
Also fits this bill as does nicotine,
But we would be hard pressed to think of them as "Safe" because of that fact.

There’s an excellent link to-Energy Fiend.-
http://www.energyfiend.com/the-caffeine-database/
That tells how much caffeine is in which drinks and foods.
And a bit of caffeine as relates to Bariatric Patients at-
http://www.bariatricbytes.com/caffeine.html

And an exceptional source for information about caffeine can be found at-
http://coffeefaq.com/caffaq.html
It’s sort of a compilation of EVERYTHING-
Pro and Con, to be found about caffeine.

Are there some benefits of caffeine?

Other than the "boost" to the nervous system
Often helpful while making a long drive home at night,
Other benefits have been touted, ranging from –
Lowering incidence in Parkinson's disease,
Its association with lowered incidence of Alzheimer's Disease,
And, even the reduction of gallstone formation associated with caffeine use.
The tannic acid in coffee has great anti-oxidant effects,
but can also raise uric acid levels
And should be avoided by those with history of kidney stones.

The benefits here were all in literature published by
The "good people" of Vivarin, a Caffeine tablet, and so
The research or at least the "interpretation of it
Is a little suspect. Sort of like "The Benefits of Tobacco"
As presented by Phillip Morris Co..

Do be on guard and take a "Grain of Salt" with a lot of the
"Caffeine Information" to be found on the Web.
Such sites as-"Everything You Need to Know About Caffeine"
Are publications of the -International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation
Which is an "informational organization funded by the beverage
Industry. Sort of a "Public Lobby Group," that "spins" information
In a positive light for those who fund the publications. In other words-
Highly specialized advertisement.

As to the Metabolic benefits?
A study published in this July’s edition of "Neuropsychobiology" –
http://content.karger.com/ProdukteDB/produkte.asp?Aktion=Jou rnalHome&ProduktNr=224082
Has found that sustained caffeine use
Has No significant enhancing effects on performance
Or mood and does not provide a restorative effect after poor sleep.

Yet another set of studies show improved endurance for athletes.

Here’s an Odd One---Caffeine got your tongue?
A new study suggests caffeine—
Potentially because of how it interacts with neurons in the brain—
Might actually hinder your short-term recall of certain words.
"tip-of-the-tongue (TOT) phenomenon" where you Know something
But the name or fact "escapes you" just for a bit-
"You know! What’s his name! I can believe I can remember it right now."
This slip between long-term memory and short term recall
May be caused by too much caffeine.
Article at-
http://www.apa.org/monitor/julaug04/caffeine.html

So, It’s clearly not a Black and White issue…
But then again few things are.
But this long ramble about caffeine?
I often see the question about "Why No Coffee?"
And I had already gotten in one cup too many today.

I guess that the other reason to avoid-
You could end up writing yard-long posts on the Board!

Best Wishes-
Dx NOW-  The Group Participation section------------- I Like My Coffee, Like I like my women.....______________! (Post your own - fill in the blank) Some of the past have included- I Like My Coffee, Like I like my women.... ...Dark and Sweet! ...Hot and Creamy! ...Hot and Rich! ...Cold & Bitter! ...Swirling on my Tongue! ...Poured in My Lap! ...in a Paper Cup! ...Quickly in the Morning, then none the rest of the day! ...handed to me at a drive-in window! ...____________________ (yours?)