Does the world feel a little blurry before you have that first cup of coffee in the morning? If you are like millions of people all over the world, coffee is a non-negotiable part of your a.m. routine, with the caffeine boost providing a lift you feel you can’t live without.
But what if the lift came with baggage that could lead to health problems? Would you think twice about ordering that latte? Here are some of the main reasons to steer clear of caffeine:
Stress — Even though you feel your morning fix reduces your stress, caffeine actually stimulates the creation of stress hormones, which can produce increased levels of anxiety, muscle tension, indigestion, insomnia—and even decreased immunity. This surge of hormones can also prevent you from having a healthy response to normal daily stress.
Adrenal Fatigue — Your adrenals are sensitive to caffeine and can become exhausted with regular consumption. When your adrenals burn out you open yourself up to health disorders related to inflammation and fatigue such as unexplained weight gain, headaches and migraines, acne, hair loss and insomnia.
Imbalanced Blood Sugar —Because caffeine stimulates a blood sugar rollercoaster, diabetics and hypoglycemics should avoid it. It can also cause weight gain since a surge of insulin will signal your body to store excess sugar as fat.
Aging — Caffeine dehydrates and contributes to aging of the skin and kidneys. It has been shown to derail DNA repair and slow the ability of the liver to clear out foreign toxins.
However, I have to be fair. With all that said, caffeine is not all bad, and moderate intake of coffee comes with its share of perks; namely:
Disease Prevention — Caffeine provides some measure of prevention from Type-2 Diabetes, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s diseases due to its antioxidant properties and its effects on dopamine stimulation.
Antioxidants — If a free radical is formed in a cell and nothing is done, it can damage the DNA of the cell. Antioxidants in caffeine help stabilize free radicals and stop them from doing harm.
Alertness, Concentration, and Performance — The perk you get from coffee is not just perceived; research shows one cup can give you a lift in all of these areas, which can account for its popularity with just about everybody.
So here are a few ways to make sure your intake of coffee is helping you not harming you:
- whenever possible, drink responsibly sourced organic coffee
- stick to one cup per day as something you enjoy and not something you need
- steer clear of artificial creamers, sweeteners and flavors (these come from syrups made with high fructose syrup and additives) and coffee drinks that more closely resemble desserts than coffees
Armed with this knowledge about the quirks and perks of coffee, how will you tweak your habit?
Be well:)
Dana