Going back to regular coffee ... Decaffeinated coffee may be a better option for you if you don't want the caffeine of regular coffee ... but is it actually bad for you? Many decaf coffees contain a chemical compound called methylene chloride, which is often used in the process to decaffeinate coffee. But it also happens to be a compound commonly used for paint stripping. Consuming large amounts of it could cause all sorts of health problems. Health advocacy groups have been urging the FDA to ban the use of methylene chloride, and lawmakers in California have even proposed a bill to ban the use of it in coffee. But health experts say you don't necessarily have to stop drinking decaf. The FDA says that most of the chemical disappears in the decaffeinating process, so the amount you would get in a cup of coffee is actually very small and won't cause you any trouble.
Speaking of our favorite drinks...
Ginger ale-titude ... When you're on a plane and the flight attendants come around with the beverage cart, do you always ask for the same drink? Is it ginger ale? The soft drink is one of the most popular beverages ordered on airplanes, and there's actually a scientific reason behind it. Researchers have found that our taste buds are altered when we fly due to lower pressure in the cabin. This change in pressure changes the oxygen saturation in our blood, and taste receptors become less efficient. This is why meals served on planes often need to contain more salt and sugar. But that can't be done for canned beverages, so ginger ale will taste less sweet to most people and leave it with a more dry and crisp taste that people seem to enjoy more. But that's not the only reason. Ginger ale is also believed to help with an upset stomach and nausea, which is why some passengers prefer it.