mans also may include increasing the possibility
of coronary heart disease in susceptible persons,
promoting the progress of atherosclerosis and
affecting chromosomal structure or action
(Punke, 1974).
Caffeine is America's most widely used central
nervous system stimulant; it is contained in
various popular beverages such as coffee, tea,
and colas; prescription medications such as
APCs; over-the-counter analgesics such as Anacin;
over-the-counter stimulants such as NoDoz;
and cold preparations such as Dristan
(Greden, 1974). Of all the sources of caffeine,
coffee contains the greatest amount of caffeine
in a single serving and is ingested more often
by more adults than any other caffeine source
or beverage. In 1972, Americans spent over 1.4
billion dollars for over 150 billion cups of coffee
or a per capita consumption of 36 gallons,
and more persons over age 10 drank coffee daily
(64%) than milk (5 1 %), soft drinks (47 %), or
tea (27%) (Ray, 1974).