Are we having an anti-caffeine moment? Part 1

Featuring ACC/Newstalk ZB/Deja Voodoo legend Matt Heath

Jun 02, 2025

This is part 1 of a 2 parter. There was a lot of really interesting stuff to cover which I really wanted you, the reader, to enjoy.

In this part, we talk to 2 coffee drinkers who have turned their backs on, or attempted to, the daily caffeine injection.

In part 2, we see if what we’re seeing on the socials really stacks up on the ground.

Caffeine? Boo

It feels like we are in the middle of an anti-caffeine movement that threatens our very existence.

Everywhere you look at the moment, ‘influencers’ (not a real job), media personalities, health-nuts and everyday normal people seem to be turning their backs on caffeine.

If you believe what some of what they say, caffeine is the devil-juice that has ruined lives, caused panic attacks, increased anxiety and decreased wellbeing. And if can happen to them, it can happen to you!

But what is really going on? Is coffee and caffeine really destroying our society?

Coffee is ‘healthy’ now

In December 2024, the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved coffee as a healthy beverage (for the first time).

As a part of the FDA’s decision, they note that their Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee concluded in a 2015 scientific report that “…drinking coffee is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, multiple cancers, and all-cause mortality.”

The debate about whether coffee is healthy or not has been put to bed. But like all things in life, it appears that moderation is the key.

The recommended daily intake of caffeine for adults is around 400 milligrams - approximately around 3-4 cups of brewed coffee, or 2 energy drinks [Source: April 2010 report from the Institute of Environment Science and Research (ESR) for the New Zealand Food Safety Authority.]

The report notes that “Moderate daily caffeine intake by healthy adults with adequate nutrition, up to 400 mg/day (5.7 mg/kg bw/day for a 70kg adult) is unlikely to result in adverse effects.”

So, if you’re a healthy adult, with a balanced diet, 3-4 cups a day is okay (noting that caffeine does impact people in different ways) (also noting, I’m not a doctor).

So, maybe the problem isn’t caffeine, it’s just how we’re drinking it?

Excessive caffeine intake can be pretty bad and can have a very real impact on people. This appears to be leading some people to give up - and giving up is no easy rough ride.

Matt Heath drank too much coffee

Alternative Commentary Collective legend, former Radio Hauraki breakfast host, Deja Voodo front man, host of Newstalk ZBs Afternoon Show, author of an incredible book, philosopher (check out his Substack) as well as everything else. Photo credit: Woman’s Day

The Magic Roast got in touch with Kiwi legend and caffeine addict Matt Heath, who told us that his intake was pretty high.

“I was having six a day,” Matt said.

“I gave up because it was making me anxious. I was feeling an impeding sense of doom for no reason.

“So I gave up cold turkey. No coffee for six months.

“It was very hard to give up coffee. I ended up getting pretty sick. Thought I had the flu until my girlfriend pointed out it was coffee withdrawal. I was shivering; couldn’t get up of the couch.”

Caffeine, the world’s most popular psychoactive substance, has a particular hold on people, and Matt, like many others before him, went back to the devil juice.

“When I first had a coffee again it was like an a-class drug. I was wired,” said Matt.

“In the end I love an Americano with cream so much I am back on them. One in the morning and one before I go on air at 12pm. Its the perfect amount. Delicious, a bit of a wake up but no sense of impeding doom.”

Comms without coffee?

As a full-time coffee writer and part-time communications professional (my boss would argue it’s actually the other way around), I know how important caffeine has become to my ability to get the words out of brain and on to paper.

They say comms and PR runs on coffee and the other ‘c’ word (caffeine, silly). But sometimes it becomes too much.

Asher Wilson-Goldman, a Wellington based Communications Professional who co-led the Government’s Unite Against COVID-19 website in those heady emergency response days, replaced caffeine with adrenaline and has never looked back.

No photo description available. — Asher Wilson-Goldman - comms legend and former caffeine addict

“I quit coffee by accident during the first lockdown! Went from 6+ long blacks per day pre-covid (way too much, in hindsight) to zero overnight without thinking,” Asher told The Magic Roast.

”I was so busy working in the [National Crisis Management Centre], and so hyped up on adrenaline, that I didn't even realise I hadn't had a coffee until it had been 6 or 7 weeks without a single cup.

” I never got around to starting again after that so I remain weirdly caffeine free ever since March 2020. I have black tea maybe once every year or two, and green tea when at yum cha, but otherwise no other alternatives. So generally it's a juice or hot choc.”

I asked Asher how we approaches the humble ‘coffee catch-up’. Does he order coffee to feel a part of the in crowd, or does he have enough self-confidence to put the middle finger to society?

”Definitely do feel a bit of anxiety - I tend not to order hot choc when I'm meeting someone for the first time (especially if it's about a potential job) as it doesn't feel like a "serious" drink. Juice feels ok for those circumstances though,” Asher said.

“And to be honest when ordering juice with someone I'm meeting for the first time, I've definitely used the story of quitting coffee as an interesting icebreaker.”