Are Journalists Addicted to Coffee?

Everybody loves a nice cup of coffee first thing in the morning. Yet a recent survey shows that journalists, in particular, are most likely to consume the heaviest amounts of any profession, and more frequently. And despite rich antioxidants that can be beneficial for health from this drink, excess coffee intake can be detrimental.

Pressat, a U.K.-based press distribution company, surveyed 10,000 professionals to find out just how much coffee they drank a day. Findings revealed that 85 percent of the respondents had at least three cups of coffee a day, while 70 percent of them felt that they couldn't function without it.

Journalists topped the list of the coffee drinkers, with police officers and teachers following shortly after. The top three professions consume a little over four cups a day.

Excess amounts of coffee can cause irritability, irregular heartbeat and stomach pain or bleeding, in more severe cases. In some cases, it can even increase the risk of stroke.

However, small amounts of coffee have been linked to health benefits--ranging from improved brain function to lowered risk of liver disease.

At the end of the day, most would say, it's all about moderation.