Is Coffee Working for You? Or Against You?
“The first cup after you’ve been off is the best way to reacquaint yourself with what a powerful drug it is" - Michael Pollan
For many, coffee is a delightful, safe, and sometimes even therapeutic daily ritual. Do you know how caffeine is affecting you? Without it, you might find that you feel more relaxed, productive, and energetic.
The many effects of caffeine:
Fatigue
While you may drink coffee to beat fatigue, this could actually be counterproductive. If tolerance hasn’t worn off its jolt, caffeine sends you up initially. What goes up must come down, and it goes way down later in the day. This is especially due to caffeine’s effect on blood sugar which results in an energy dip. On top of this, caffeine affects our sleep anywhere from 6-12 hours after drinking. Over time, caffeine iron absorption, which directly impacts energy levels.
Anxiety
Caffeine induces a stress response in the body. A daily habit contributes to overstimulated adrenals and increased chronic stress and inflammation in the body. Additionally, coffee depletes and decreases absorption of nutrients including precious B vitamins, many of which are critical to nervous system function.
Digestion
Coffee stimulates the gastrointestinal tract thanks to the caffeine, its acidity and temperature. With this extra momentum, food can pass too quickly to absorb its nutrients. If you have IBS, IBD or experience symptoms of digestive upset, coffee may be exacerbating the problem. If you experience heartburn, coffee contributes acidity and can also weaken the muscle barrier between the esophagus and the stomach causing the “backsplash” of acid.
Hormone Imbalance & Pregnancy
We’ve already seen that caffeine can affect the adrenals, blood sugar and nutrient-absorption, which all impact hormone balance. As if that weren’t disruptive enough, coffee also impacts the liver, which must process caffeine, and with only so much capacity and cofactor nutrients, it can sideline the process of detoxifying hormones. When pregnant or trying to conceive, reducing coffee is recommended, especially if you’re drinking more than 18 ounces brewed coffee per day (or the equivalent of 300mg caffeine.)
The first time I made the decision to try life without coffee, it wasn’t pretty. I stopped cold and the crushing headaches followed. It felt like I was living under water, slower and distorted. But then the fog cleared, and I saw the grass really was greener on the other side. I rebounded with more energy, less hanger, and my skin looked better than ever.
I’m forever grateful for these insights. And the next time a coffee habit crept back in, I noticed I was anxious and duller as a result. This time I went about my personal caffeine experiment completely differently, and I want to share this process with you. Because it could change things in a big way.
The Caffeine Experiment
This experiment is temporary and the upside looms high. It’s a free resource that guides you to:
Reduce coffee with a proven taper schedule
Replace the ritual with delicious substitutes
Incorporate supportive practices and supplements
Follow the wisdom from a caffeine-free you
So, do you know how caffeine affects you? That’s something only you can decide. Request your free download of The Caffeine Experiment.
