Coffee Used as Poison!!!!

News Article:  According to the coffee poisoning complaint which was filed on May 29, Dr. Gonzalez-Angulo gave Dr. Blumenschein not just one cup of poisoned coffee, but two.

Doctor Ana Maria Gonzalez-Angulo, who allegedly used coffee as a deadly weapon to poison her lover, is regarded as a distinguished citizen and scientist. She is a well-known researcher in the oncology field and studies aggressive forms of breast cancer at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Following the alleged coffee poisoning accusations, Dr. Gonzalez-Angulo was booked May 30, charged with aggravated assault against Dr. George Blumenschein, and released on $50,000 bail. She is now on administrative leave, has surrendered her passport, and has been ordered "not to go within 200 feet of Blumenschein's residence or place of employment."

Doctor George Blumenschein, the alleged victim in the coffee poisoning story, is a specialist in lung and head and neck cancers at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Following the alleged coffee poisoning incident, "sixteen hours later," Dr. Blumenschein was taken to an emergency center, "where he was found to have central nervous system depression, cardiopulmonary complications and renal failure. He subsequently had to undergo dialysis."

According to an affidavit obtained by the Houston Chronicle newspaper, Dr. Blumenschein likes his coffee black, not poisoned.

On January 27, the two doctors were alone in Dr. Ana Maria Gonzalez-Angulo's home when she served him coffee. Since the coffee tasted sweet and Dr. Blumenschein liked his coffee black, he asked his lover for another cup of coffee. "She urged him to drink up anyway."

According to court documents, Dr. Ana Maria Gonzalez-Angulo said "it was sweetened with Splenda."

"The coffee tasted sweet because it was laced with a sweet-tasting toxic chemical used in antifreeze and medical research, ethylene glycol, according to a criminal complaint filed with the Harris County District Attorney's Office. The complaint referred to the chemical as a 'deadly weapon'."

 Well I wanted to get your attention!!!  You see all headlines are not what they appear to be...coffee was the choice of liquid to kill, but the REAL killer was antifreeze!  Moral of the story...do not always trust your lover to do you right! :o)  You know the real strange thing...the doc that was drinking the poisoned coffee had a second cup!  Now, if you do not sweeten you mug of joe with this agent you probably will be ok...however there are some other things to keep in mind...such as:

Caffeine is a stimulant produced naturally in many plants. Synthetic forms are also manufactured to be used as food additives. Normal caffeine usage ranges between 200 and 300 mg or the equivalent of 2 to 3 cups of coffee. Excessive use of more than 500 to 600 mg per day can lead to a variety of side effects. Caffeine is found in coffee, soft drinks, tea and over the counter stimulants. This can lead to inability to sleep or, on rare occasions, irrational actions or statements. 

More importantly caffeine has been known to produce unwanted body reactions such as irregular heartbeat in folks that react to caffeine in an adverse manner.  Now, if you do have irregular beating of the most important organ in your body, do not simply stop drinking coffee thinking the problem will go away...that would be a mistake.  You probably need to see your family doctor or, if the problem is pronounced, you just may need to go to the nearest emergency room of a GOOD hospital.  You see, messing around with irregular heartbeat can lead to clots forming and that can then lead to stroke or heart attack!!!

Also, excessive amounts of caffeine can cause irritability in some folks.  It also can be the cause of nervousness, dizziness, and the inability to focus on specific tasks.  Excessive intake of caffeine causes headaches and stomach irritation...and if you suddenly stop taking in caffeine after a long period of "caffeine abuse" you can, and probably will, have an onset of headaches and such. 

Now why am I telling you this stuff since we sell the product best known for providing caffeine?  Well, just as I pass along the real benefits to drinking coffee, I want you to know that one of the attractions of coffee, caffeine, can also be a problem if abused.  It can become somewhat addictive if the intake is huge and that is not a good thing!  Caffeine is found in coffee, but most folks ignore the fact that it is also found in over the counter meds, in chocolate, most soft drinks, and especially in some energy drinks.  You may be surprised that you just might have a caffeine addiction and have never drank a drop of coffee!!!

So what is the answer here????  Well, first we need to know just what is in everything we drink, take, and eat.  Then we need to make rational decisions as to what is really good for us and our bodies...and how much is the right amount for each of us.  Finally, we need to remember that moderation is not a bad thing...it is something we just might need to practice, even when drinking great coffee like The Alpaca Bean Coffee.  Hate to say that, but it is true. :o)