Research finds liberals really do drink more lattes

The term ‘liberal lattes’ is a familiar pejorative in the US.

The website Urban Dictionary defines the term as ‘liberals who sit around and drink overpriced diluted Starbucks coffee while lamenting the plight of the poor’.

While it may have begun as a joke, a new study shows that people with left-leaning ideologies actually do drink more lattes – a beverage with European origins – than conservatives.

A study found that people with left-leaning beliefs are more likely to drink lattes because they are more open to globalization (file photo)

Researchers from University of Pennsylvania found that liberals drink lattes more so than conservatives because they are more open to globalization, whereas right-leaning people tend to take an ‘America first’ nationalistic attitude and shy away from ‘foreign products’ of all kinds.

They surveyed 1,500 Americans, 1,000 of whom were coffee drinkers, and found that members of both political ideologies are equally likely to enjoy coffee.

They also found that most Americans, regardless of political ideology, prefer regular brewed coffee to lattes. Only 16 percent of liberals, 11 percent of moderates, and 9 percent of conservatives prefer lattes.

They collected data about their coffee preferences, political ideology, household income, gender, zip code, and attitudes toward globalization.

They surveyed 1,500 Americans, 1,000 of whom were coffee drinkers, and found that members of both political ideologies are equally likely to enjoy coffee

They surveyed 1,500 Americans, 1,000 of whom were coffee drinkers, and found that members of both political ideologies are equally likely to enjoy coffee

The study discovered that latte drinkers’ attitudes toward globalization proved most meaningful in explaining why liberals are more likely to drink lattes.

The researchers suggest that economic nationalism often leads to rejecting products that seem un-American or foreign.

A latte purchased in an American coffee shop, produced in America, and drank in the country is still American. 

However, the Italian name could cause nationalistic coffee drinkers to avoid the beverage.

Ironically, nearly all coffee is produced outside the US and imported, meaning all coffee drinkers engage in the global economy.

In fact, lattes contribute more to the American economy than brewed coffee, because the high milk content supports the American dairy industry.  

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF DRINKING COFFEE?

Caffeine has been deemed safe for consumption in doses of up to 400 mg per day for the general population. 

Studies suggest it can have a variety of health benefits, including combating liver disease and type two diabetes.

Research has even suggested it could even help people live longer.

It is the world’s most widely consumed stimulant and reports show it can boost daily energy expenditure by around five per cent.

Researchers have said combining two to four daily coffees with regular exercise would be even more effective at keeping the weight off.

A 2015 study showed just a couple of cups a day could help millions of dieters stay trim once they have achieved their desired weight. 



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