Factors related to gastrointestinal coffee intolerance: results of an international epidemiological study
Coffee pre-treated so as to prevent heartburn represents a significant segment of coffee sold in the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), but not in most other countries, including Switzerland. Three alternative hypotheses could explain the difference: (a) Coffee intolerance is equally prevalent outside of Germany, but dealt with by alternative strategies such as abstinence from coffee; (b) Coffee intolerance is more frequent in Germany for reasons related to lifestyle or coffee quality; and (c) Coffee intolerance is not prevalent in Germany, and sales of pre-treated coffee in Germany have to be explained by suggestive effects of successful promotional efforts. In order to distinguish between these explanatory models, identical interview surveys of representative samples of the adult populations were conducted in the FRG, in German speaking Switzerland and in French speaking Switzerland. Results indicate that gastrointestinal coffee intolerance is reported much more frequently by rests in Germany than in Switzerland. In Germany consumption of pre- treated coffee is not more frequent among persons having experienced coffee-related symptoms, but is associated with intolerance to other beverages and foods, consumption of pain relieving drugs and nonsmoking. It is concluded that sociocultural factors are more important than the existence of specific somatic effects of coffee in determining whether there is a demand for pre-treated coffee
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | biblioteca |
| Published: |
París (Francia)
1988
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| Subjects: | CAFE, CONSUMO, ENFERMEDADES (SISTEMA DIGESTIVO), EFECTOS SECUNDARIOS, EPIDEMIOLOGIA, REPUBLICA FEDERAL ALEMANA, |
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