Just for pleasure

In all civilizations, articles are consumed that have no nutrient value but make the food more attractive, or give pleasure. Spices, condiments, herbs, vinegar and pickles are used for this purpose. There is no objection to them for the normal stomach, and there is no evidence that they can cause damage to the normal stomach lining. Tea, coffee, manufactured drinks, and alcohol also form part of the diet. They have no nutritive value but add to the pleasure of a meal, in moderation. Tea and coffee both contain caffeine, which is a mild stimulant and also causes the kidneys to excrete more water. They may cause sleeplessness, but not all people are affected. Alcohol, if not consumed excessively by adults, cannot be strongly objected to on medical grounds.