The Great Cappuccino Hype

For some, a regular cup of coffee is the perfect way to start the day. For others, a cappuccino or frozen coffee drink is a must. As a matter of fact the specialty drink is so popular that people are willing to wait in long lines and spend as much as $5 per a cup.

And while sipping on that favorite drink may seem heavenly, there's more than meets the eye! So, not only is that indulgence taking a chunk out of your pocketbook, it may also be affecting you your health.

For example:

o Caffeine is the main ingredient in every one of these specialty drinks. Caffeine is also very addictive. Once you're hooked it's very difficult to just give it up and there's almost always some side effect. Some side effects are headaches, dizziness, nervousness, irritability, anxiety and insomnia. Too much caffeine can lead to depression, hallucinations, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

o Milk is another main ingredient found in these specialty drinks. While many people may disagree that milk can be a danger to their health, they're also probably not aware of rBGH. rBGH is a growth hormone that is injected into cows to make them produce more milk. RHGB has been known to cause tumors in the breasts and possibly cause reproductive problems in women. The steroid may also increase the risk of some colon related problems. 

o Artificial sweeteners are often used in these specialty drinks due to its popularity of being known as a less fattening sugar alternative. Yet, artificial sweeteners are far worse than sugar because they're made with chemicals. Many of these sweeteners have been linked to manic depression, panic attacks, headaches, gastrointestinal problems, birth defects, Multiple Sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease.

o Artificial colors and flavors may also be used in these drinks because it makes them look and taste better. Plus it's often cheaper to use a fake flavoring rather than spend money on the real thing. However, artificial colors and flavors are nothing but man-made chemicals.

If the above still doesn't have you convinced, keep in mind that just one cappuccino or frozen iced coffee can contain as much as 700 calories per a cup and there's no nutritional value whatsoever. So, if you must indulge, keep it simple or simply make your own.