Even if caffeine is an everyday necessity or occasional treat for you, don’t despair if you can’t kick your caffeine habit because, flavored teas, decaf coffee, and green juices are great alternatives to experiment with in lieu of coffee. Whichever way you prefer to consume caffeine, there are positive and negative effects.
Health benefits of caffeine
Alertness - even in relatively low doses of 250 milligrams, caffeine has been shown to stimulate alertness and improve mental performance.
Mood - At 250 milligrams, some report an improved sense of well-being, happiness, energy, alertness, and sociability.
Concentration - Studies suggest that caffeine can help you perform a variety of cognitive tasks faster, like recognizing visual patterns.
Performance - Some sources say caffeine allows athletes to exercise for longer without getting tired. Although the mechanism isn’t yet known, caffeine affects the utilization of glycogen during workouts. Glycogen is the main fuel for muscles. Once depleted, exhaustion sets in. Caffeine decreases the use
of glycogen stores during workouts up to 50% – allowing for longer workouts.
Reduce Muscle Pain - Some researchers have found that caffeine may potentially stimulate the release of B-endorphins and hormones that depress the sensation of pain and discomfort.
Faster Effects of medication - Caffeine constricts blood vessels and helps the body absorb medications more quickly, which is why it’s added to some pain medications.
Antioxidants - Antioxidants in caffeine help to stabilize free radicals and stop them from doing damage. If a free radical is formed in a cell and isn’t neutralized, it can damage the DNA of the cell.
Health hindrances of caffeine
Cardiovascular Problems - Approximately four cups of coffee or an equal amount of caffeine can raise blood pressure for many hours. The measured blood pressure levels are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Stress - Caffeine consumption in the early morning affects the body until bedtime, amplifying stress levels throughout the day. Caffeine increases stress hormones and elevates one’s perception of stress. Decreasing caffeine will help lower exaggerated stress-reactions.
Emotional Disturbances - When more than 2 grams of caffeine enters the body, the heart becomes stimulated and blood vessels dilate. Shortly after, blood pressure increases, causing bronchial relaxation in the lungs and increased breathing. These physiological reactions tend to cause irritability, restlessness, insomnia, and agitation.
Blood Sugar Swings - Type 2 diabetics should be aware that caffeine may impair insulin reaction, causing a detectable rise in blood sugar levels. Approximately 2-2.5 cups per day may cause this effect.
Gastrointestinal Problems - Because it’s a stimulant, caffeine can cause increased contractions of https://www.floliving.com/caffeine/stomach muscles – possibly causing abdominal pain, diarrhea, and increased bowel movements.
Those who have irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, or colitis may want to be extra cautious before choosing caffeinated beverages.
Female Health Problems - Caffeine disrupts hormones. Fibrocystic breast disease, PMS, PCOS, osteoporosis, infertility problems, miscarriage, low birth weight, and menopausal problems such as hot flashes are all exacerbated by caffeine consumption. Women on birth control pills are particularly at risk since they tend to have a decreased ability to detoxify caffeine.
Aging -Caffeine tolerance may decrease with age. Production of DHEA, melatonin, and other vital hormones decline with age. Caffeine helps to speed up this process. Caffeine also dehydrates the body, contributes to aging of the skin and kidneys, inhibits DNA repair, and slows the ability of the liver to get rid of foreign toxins.
Adrenal Exhaustion - Caffeine is a stimulant which binds to adenosine receptors in the brain. This leads to a range of complex reactions, which causes an increase of stimulation in the adrenal glands. This can increase vulnerability to a variety of health disorders related to inflammation and fatigue.
If you decide to enjoy a cup of coffee, have it black for maximum health benefits and avoid drinking caffeine on an empty stomach to avoid artificially spiking insulin. To receive mor more health and nutrition tips, that are bio-individualized to meet your specific needs book your session today.
Additional Resources:
https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/news/20070117/caffeine-ease-workout-pain
https://www.modernheartandvascular.com/caffeine-effect-on-your-heart/
https://corporate.dukehealth.org/news/caffeines-effects-are-long-lasting-and-compound-stress
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/coffee-upset-stomach#decaf
https://healthy.net/2001/05/03/the-hidden-link-between-stress-aging-and-caffeine/
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