Coffee _is not a food_. The active principle is caffein. This is an alkaloid and is a strong stimulant to the central nervous system. It quickens the heart action, and, unless the heart be weak, one does not need so strong a stimulant. The stimulating effect is so apparent with many, that they cannot sleep for several hours after drinking it. Others drink coffee to quicken mental activity and to keep them awake. It must be borne in mind, however, that there is a reactionary effect from all stimulants, and while coffee is not intoxicating, as alcohol, it has a similar effect upon the nerves and heart. It is given to those addicted to liquor, as a milder stimulant, when they are recovering from a spell of intoxication. Whether because of the strong stimulant, or because of some chemical effect of caffein, coffee retards digestion, especially when the digestive organs are weak. It has the redeeming feature, of having a pleasing aroma, which, because of the effect upon the mind, may incite the flow of gastric juice; but, despite the fact that no morning beverage has quite the same pleasing aroma, or pungency, as coffee, one is much better without it. One who knows that coffee disturbs his digestion and yet cannot break himself from the habit of drinking it, should have sympathy for the one who is addicted to liquor and finds it difficult to break the habit of depending upon this _so-called_ stimulant. _Cereal Coffee_ has been discussed under the heading “Cereals.” * * * * * [Sidenote: Cocoa and Chocolate] _Cocoa and Chocolate_ are prepared from the chocolate bean. Cocoa is from the shell of the bean and chocolate from the kernel. As shown by Table VII, they are more nutritious than the other beverages; yet the fat in chocolate is not like the fat in other foods. It is not used as a reserve in animal tissue as are the other fats. The active principle in cocoa and chocolate is _theobromin_ and is similar to caffein in its stimulating effect upon the nervous system, though milder. * * * * * [Sidenote: Lemonade] _Lemonade_ and other fruit drinks, particularly those made from the citrous fruits, slake the thirst more quickly than most drinks. All fruit drinks are diuretic, and, wherever the action of the kidneys is sluggish, they are especially desirable. * * * * * [Sidenote: Carbonized Drinks] are made from bottling some drink, and, before sealing, forcing carbon dioxid into the bottle under pressure. As soon as the cork is removed the escape of the gas causes effervescence. These drinks have no advantage, other than that they slake the thirst. * * * * * [Sidenote: Water] There is no beverage nor concoction devised by man equal to water. It is to be deplored that it is not used as freely as Nature demands,—from eight to ten glasses a day.