But even if you have two or three, be aware that caffeine has an almost cumulative effect. And once the stimulating effects on the central nervous system wear off, fatigue that seems worse than before can set in. Caffeine is not considered an addictive substance. Rather, doctors say it causes a form of psychological dependency or habituation. Reducing its intake should normally be as simple as making up your mind to do so.
Many people recommend ginger-root tea as a substitute.
Apart from coffee, cola, chocolate and tea are on the list of foods to avoid if caffeine reduction is advised. Non-cola soft drinks can also contain surprisingly high levels. This, in turn, causes loss of potassium, magnesium and other vitamins and minerals. An apple a day really does what they say it does. The Food Guide Pyramid, a serving guide published by the U.S. department of agriculture, advises three to five servings of vegetables and two to four servings of fruit daily.