Coffee Survey

Usually I post surveys about Starbucks, McDonald's or Dunkin' Donuts coffee but today, I have this from MarketingCharts.com:

Top US Cities for Caffeine Consumption

The most caffeinated US city in the is Tampa, Fla., followed by Seattle, Chicago, New York and Los Angeles, while the least caffeinated cities are Riverside/San Bernardino, Calif., Atlanta, San Diego, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Dallas, according to a survey commissioned by HealthSaver, and conducted by Prince Market Research.

The second annual HealthSaver 2008 Caffeinated Cities Survey was conducted to determine the caffeine consumption habits and attitudes of consumers across the US, and to learn more about cultural views and health benefits of this caffeine. The survey considered numerous caffeine sources, including coffee, tea, sodas, energy drinks, chocolate, pain relievers and caffeine pills.

Nearly half (49% ) of all respondents nationwide said they drink caffeinated coffee every day, while cola and tea tied with a 20% daily consumption rate, the survey found. Sweets containing chocolate ranked fourth among caffeine products, with a 13% daily consumption, the survey found.

For the second year in a row, Seattle ranked #1 in coffee consumption, with 55% of residents saying coffee would be the most difficult caffeine product to give up.

Seattle also is the city most likely to have residents who say they are “addicted to caffeine.”

In terms of cola consumption, Houston drinks the most, while New York drinks the least.

Caffeine-related trends:

• For the second straight year, 42% of respondents said coffee/specialty drinks would be the hardest of caffeinated products to give up.
• Men are much more likely than women (47% vs. 39%) to say coffee would be the hardest to give up, similar to the first annual survey.
• Nearly three-fourths (72%) of all respondents said they are not addicted to caffeine.
• Among age groups, the older the consumer, the more likely they are to say coffee would be the most difficult caffeinated product to give up, a pattern similar to that found last year.

Additional demographic findings:

• Women are more likely than men to say they are addicted to caffeine (29% of women vs. 24% of men).
• A majority (64% ) say they consume about the same amount of caffeine as they did a year ago.
• More than one-fourth (28%) consume less caffeine now than they did a year ago. The younger the age group, the more likely they are to say they consume more caffeine than a year ago.
• Among respondents consuming less caffeine, 53% say it is because they are seeking to improve their health; nearly one-fourth (24%) of those consuming less caffeine are doing so because of a change of diet/currently on a diet plan.
• More than one-fourth said they consume more caffeine than a year ago because their everyday routine is more demanding. Another six percent said it was because they have more access to caffeine, and two percent said they consume more because of fatigue because of sleep problems.
• More than one-half of respondents said they are “way over” their ideal weight (12%) or over their ideal weight (54%). Only four percent said they were under their ideal weight.

“With the advent of rich, high-end coffees, soaring popularity of energy drinks and national fascination with green tea, our HealthSaver Caffeinated Cities Survey has brewed up some very interesting trends, findings and results,” said Brad Eggleston, vice president of HealthSaver. “This groundbreaking research is an important tool to help educate about the health benefits of moderate caffeine consumption in the United States.”

The health benefits of caffeine are plentiful and well-documented in numerous studies in recent years, Healthsaver said. Coffee and tea, in particular, have emerged as good health food sources that can lower the risk of diabetes, heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, colon cancer, and cirrhosis of the liver, as well as lift your mood, treat headaches and even lower risk of cavities. Caffeine also enhances athleticism, endurance and performance, according to health care experts.

“Even though at one time coffee was considered harmful to your health, at this point there is no compelling research to indicate that, in fact, is true,” said Dr. Peter R. Martin, professor of psychiatry and pharmacology and the director of the Institute of Coffee Studies, Vanderbilt School of Medicine. “Newer studies actually prove coffee in moderation is good for one’s health.”

About the survey: Prince Research conducted a nationally representative telephone study with consumers in 20 major metropolitan areas in the US to learn more about their use of caffeine in everyday beverages and food. All interviews were conducted between July 1 - Aug. 21, 2008, during which period, a total of 2,005 interviews, lasting between of five and seven minutes, were completed. No incentive was offered and the sponsor of the research was not revealed.

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