One of CabbieBlog’s most read posts was one written last year about London’s first coffee house. Back in 1652 strong coffee was claimed by health writers to be the catch-all cure for anything from gout to
period pain.

It’s popularity amongst the City’s men of business was due to its stimulating effect and was purported to sharpen the brain for commerce, unlike its predecessor – alcohol.

[T]his Guest Post acknowledges that those early consumers had a point and today the benefits of coffee are just as relevant for those who drive a London cab.

Caffeine is the thinking man’s drug of choice. It helps us hit the day in the morning with enthusiasm, picks us up when we’re feeling low, and generally keeps us going.

Its use – mainly in coffee, tea, and many fancy stimulating soft drinks – is so widespread that we tend to take its effects for granted, but actually, it’s quite an effective drug.

Sharpens the mind
For a start, it makes people smarter. No, it doesn’t inform you of the best items of clothing to wear for that meeting with the executives in the morning, but it’ll still make you look better to them. Caffeine is a stimulant – an upper, if you will – and as a psychoactive substance, it works extremely well. Drinking a strong cup of coffee stimulates the bits in the brain that regulate hormone production, and specifically the hormones that make you feel good and switched on. More vigilant, too.

Improves the mood
It’s also been proven to improve your mood. Now, anyone that’s a regular coffee or tea drinker is going to know that already, but it actually has longer-term effects than that, reducing depression rates when drunk regularly. Certainly, any cabbie will be able to say that when the day is dragging, and the customers are whinging and miserable, a cup of coffee or a hot cup of tea is just the thing to help. It almost creates the ability to cope with people better; and there’s a two-fold reason for this. Someone in a good mood is likely to deal with an awkward or difficult situation in a more positive way than someone who is already feeling tired and miserable. However, add to that the fact that the brain can be more creative when stimulated by caffeine, and it means that dealing with the general public can become a fun challenge instead of a drag!

Helps with concentration
Anyone who drives for a living – or even makes occasional long distance trips – will know that when tired, a stop-off at a petrol station for a quick fix of caffeine will improve the driving situation. Studies again, have shown that there’s a lot less weaving and bad decision-making made by coffee drinkers after so many hours of driving. Concentration is improved, massively. The increased vigilance helps here – drowsy-driving is considered as dangerous as drink-driving, because it slows reactions, and dulls responses. Coffee is our friend. Literally a lifesaver here and there.

So what type of drink is best?
The truth is, no one can say for sure. Whether it’s the most expensive coffee in the world, brewed in one of those smart Tassimo coffee machines, or just a double shot of the freeze-dried stuff with a large helping of sugar, it’s going to stimulate the mind and temporarily provide assistance to the person consuming it. Can’t go wrong, no matter what the delivery.

If coffee isn’t the drink of choice, tea, brewed strongly, should have the same effect, although there’s conflicting evidence around whether it’s got as much caffeine in it as coffee.

Stimulating drinks can be dangerous if consumed in large amounts; there’s a fair bit of evidence to suggest that they have been connected to heart failure in very young people, so it’s perhaps best to avoid overdoing the caffeine. Normal levels of consumption should cause no problems whatsoever.

Image: FanPop

Today we have a guest post from Richard Allen at Steak Group voted by the Sunday Times as one of the Best Small Companies to Work For 2012. If you have the inclination to write a post just follow this link.

Late night eats:
London’s best spots for a late bite
Where can you get decent grub in the wee hours? Here are some top tips for getting hungry after hours.

[L]ondon is a fun place to be, and it can be easy to get carried away with things in the city – suddenly one drink turns into three, a quick coffee turns into a full-blown night out, or an impromptu trip to some free show or exciting extra.

So often, we find ourselves in the situation of quite intense hunger – at all times of night. And where to go? Is it possible to still have a sit-down meal at the stroke of midnight?

Whilst London doesn’t have the late-night dining culture that New York boasts a little more proudly, it does have a number of late-night eateries (many Brit-brasserie types, or US-influenced burger places, alongside the Soho and West End Asian favourites).

Flying visits often benefit from this kind of insider knowledge- where to go when things overrun. Picking a hotel that is well-located – or is easy to find in case the tube stops before you head home – is also wise, for the late-night diner.

Where to stay:

Good value London hotels can be found with chains like Holiday Inn – especially good if you’re a frequent business traveler or are likely to make use of the same chain in several cities or inner-city locations. These are good places, rather than the cosy townhouse or boutique hotel, to rock up late, because the door policies tend to be 24-hour, and you’re less likely to disturb other guests. The Holiday Inn London – Kensington Forum hotel is a great choice as perfectly located in a convenient and prime location, close to Gloucester Road Station tube station.

But enough of the practicalities: I’m hungry! Let’s get down to business – where you can grab that satisfying meal past 11pm.

Late night restaurants:

Central London’s late night dining centres around the Soho area, which has always had a reputation for staying up later than most. Its neat location, close to the West End’s main theatres, and housing the sleazier, cosier and more private bars and members’ clubs that keep up its late-night reputation, should make it your first port of call.

Top tips – try Café Boheme on Old Compton Street. Recommended by Square Meal for its friendly, good value ubiquity – everyone in Soho has a story – this spot stays open and serving food til 2.30am, so you can make like the Spanish and dine late.

Just down the road, if you want a little more spice and aroma, is Bincho, also on Old Compton Street, serving Japanese cuisine and specialising in its tidy little skewers or meat and fish – great for sharing, great for late eating when you’re no longer in the mood for a heavy three courses.

If you want somewhere to take a client or date, but can’t start dining til 10 or 11pm, then try Hakkasan, near Tottenham Court Road tube. This classy Chinese spot, once a bit of a celebrity hang out, serves food til 12.30am Thursday to Sunday, and its darkened, sleek atmosphere is a great city dining experience all of its own.