The International Coffee Organization has approximated worldwide coffee consumption to be 1.6 billion cups a day. However, while that daily dose of java has its benefits, the same cannot be said for other caffeine sources, like energy drinks, fizzy sodas, and even tea; most of which contain generous helpings of health-negative preservatives and sugar.
Consult a gastroenterologist for a proper diet management plan if you have digestive issues.
Here we look at 10 health benefits of a caffeine-free lifestyle that might motivate you to kick that caffeine habit for good:
Table of Contents
1-More Z’s:
Caffeine is a strong stimulant. Therefore, consuming caffeine 4-6 hours before bed can cause restlessness during sleep, which then translates into daytime drowsiness. This is because the body uses only half of the consumed caffeine in 4-6 hours, leaving the rest behind to work its stimulating effects until its complete depletion in 8-12 hours.
2-A Healthier Heart:
The stimulatory action of caffeine has another victim: the cardiovascular system. Consuming 3-5 cups of caffeine (irrespective of source) a day elevates blood pressure and stimulates the heart muscles to contract harder and faster. This can be especially dangerous for those who are at risk of, or already have, an underlying heart condition due to severe cardiac damage in the long-term.
3-Anxiety Control:
People suffering from anxiety may find the heart palpitations, shakiness, nervousness, and panic attacks drastically reduced when they eliminate their daily caffeine.
The energy burst that comes with caffeine consumption stimulates the adrenal glands, hence activating the fight or flight system; the precursor to an anxiety attack. A 2016 study has also linked excess caffeine consumption to increased instances of depression in adolescents.
4-Better Mood:
Caffeine causes temporary mood elevations similar to drugs like cocaine. And like cocaine, it is also highly addictive, resulting in low moods and withdrawal-like symptoms should the daily quota remain unfulfilled.
Excess consumption also alters brain chemistry to require higher amounts of the substance to achieve the desired effects. However, successful decaffeination can reset the body’s caffeine tolerance, eliminate the persistent headaches, and improve overall mood.
5-Stronger Bones:
Tannins present in caffeine interfere with calcium absorption into the bones, resulting in weak, brittle bones and osteoporosis in the long run. Other nutrients that excess tannin in the bloodstream can interfere with are iron and B-vitamins; both of which are necessary for optimum body-wide functioning.
6-The Perfect Smile:
Tannins, combined with the acidic nature of caffeine, also stain teeth. Gradual accumulation of these substances over the teeth’s surface erodes the protective enamel, resulting in discolored yellow teeth that are readily prone to tooth decay and numerous oral infections.
7-Women’s Health:
According to a 2012 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, exceeding the daily 2-cup caffeine limit elevated estrogen levels in women of Asian and African descent, while lowered these levels in Caucasian women.
If continued, these fluctuations in estrogen can not only disrupt the menstrual cycle and worsen menopause symptoms, but also increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, and endometriosis.
8-Less Bathroom Visits:
People prone to gastric issues may do better by avoiding caffeine entirely. This is because caffeine has a laxative effect on the bowels and bladder, resulting in frequent urination, diarrhea, loose stools, and even incontinence, in extreme cases.
9-Diabetes Control:
Coffee may be beneficial for preventing diabetes, but those already with the condition may do better without it. Not only does the high sugar content in caffeinated beverages elevate blood sugar levels, but the acid-based oils present in coffee also irritate the stomach lining.
This prompts the release of adrenaline and insulin, resulting in dangerously low sugar levels when combined with glucose-lowering medication.
While a caffeine-free lifestyle provides unparalleled benefits, habitual coffee drinkers do not necessarily have to eliminate coffee from their daily diets entirely.
Limiting it to 1 cup a day will not only satisfy your coffee cravings, but also help prevent Alzheimer’s and depression. However, if you suffer from diabetes, gastric issues, or are pregnant, consult with your doctor on your coffee consumption guidelines.
You can also book an appointment with a top Gastroenterologist in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad through oladoc.com, or call our helpline at 042-3890-0939 for assistance to find the RIGHT Doctor for your overall health concerns.
