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Tim Harford explains the numbers and statistics in the news and in life

Tim Harford explains the numbers and statistics in the news and in life.

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More or Less: Is Coffee Bad for You?

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Coffee in a cup with the froth making the shape of a heart

25/08/2013

Is Coffee Bad for You?

BBC World Service - More or Less, Is Coffee Bad for You?

How dangerous is your daily caffeine fix?

Are you risking your life with your daily caffeine fix? And, making pregnancy health decisions like an economist.

People who drink more than four cups of coffee increase their chances of dying by 50%, it was reported recently. Given everyone’s chance of dying is already 100%, this seems a puzzle.

What does the research really say, and how reliable are the findings? Ruth Alexander speaks to Dr Vivek Muthu, director for healthcare at the Economist Intelligence Unit and chief executive of the healthcare evidence consultancy, Bazian. 

Plus, she interviews Emily Oster, economist and author of Expecting Better. When the University of Chicago associate professor became pregnant, she received mixed messages about whether her daily three or four cups of coffee were still safe to drink. So she decided to use her statistical training to assess the medical evidence herself. She also discusses the conclusions she came to on alcohol and which foods she should avoid – and which she thought were probably safe for her to eat. 

Presenter and producer: Ruth Alexander

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