Coffee-the good, the bad, and the ……
Coffee-the good, the bad, and the ……
There is no way that I would refer to the delightful liquid gold called coffee as ugly. I’m willing to be critical and look at the good and bad, not the ugly. I love coffee far too much. The thought of having a fresh cup first thing in the morning usually gets me out of bed. Anytime this delightful ritual is interrupted, I’m pretty grumpy. Clearly, I’m not alone in my love of a cup of java. Besides Tim’s and McDonald’s, there are 4 cafés in the small town where I live.
I usually have 1 cup and occasionally 2 as part of my morning ritual, and when I’ve gone without, I don’t experience the typical withdrawal symptoms of headache, fatigue, and irritability. I’m trying to convince myself that I’m not addicted. I am sensitive to it because I feel jittery and anxious whenever I have more than 2 cups daily.
There is an overwhelming amount of information and studies on the pro and cons of coffee consumption. It’s important to remember that it’s not always the coffee but a combination of caffeine and its impact on an individual based on their genetics and metabolism. Some people can have a double espresso in the evening and have no issue falling asleep, while others avoid coffee altogether because it causes too much anxiety.
Many of the issues with coffee drinking are connected to the amount (more than 2 cups a day) and what gets added to the coffee. Drinking coffee in moderation without sugar and regular milk is fine, and some research shows that the benefits outweigh the risks (study)!
The Good
Among its other benefits, studies show coffee decreases your risk for type 2 diabetes, lowers cancer risk, and improves mood and memory. Coffee can also boost metabolism and sports performance.
The Bad
On the other hand, coffee can become highly addictive, altering stress hormones while making you feel simultaneously wired and tired. You should consider avoiding it if you have the following:
Insomnia
Fatigue
Heart palpitations
Anxiety
If you drink coffee regularly and don’t experience any adverse side effects but feel you might be addicted, taking a break from it periodically can provide essential information about your relationship with coffee, especially if you find that you can’t function without it.
I haven’t done a cleanse for over a year, but I usually try a cleanse for 3 weeks in the spring in which I eliminate sugar, gluten, alcohol, and coffee. I never experience withdrawal symptoms from coffee, but psychologically, I struggle for a few days and eventually feel a bit more energetic when not drinking coffee. The psychological pull is a strong one for me, and I return to drinking coffee immediately when I end my cleanse, but usually in much smaller quantities for a few months.
If you are considering taking a break, I recommend easing into it. If you drink 2 cups of coffee a day, go to 1 a day for a few days, and then ½ a cup, and so on. There are numerous coffee alternatives, such as Dandy Blend. I drink more green tea when I take breaks, as it has much less caffeine than coffee.
If you can tolerate coffee, consider the following:
Avoid sugar, syrups, and regular milk-try nut milk instead.
Purchase coffee that is organic and fair trade.
Limit the amount you have to a maximum of 2 cups per day, and always avoid having it in the afternoon.
At other times during the day, enjoy herbal teas.
Alternately, add fat to your coffee. Once people taste the creamy, frothy goodness of fat blended with coffee, they don’t miss milk at all. You’ve probably heard of Bulletproof® Coffee, which blends MCT oil and a bit of grass-fed butter or ghee with high-quality, organic coffee. If you are a vegan, add 1 tablespoon of cashew butter for the creamy texture. I make mine with coconut oil and cashew milk. It creates a lovely foamy coffee and is delicious. The fat keeps me satiated.
Note: Always be very careful when pureeing hot liquids in a blender. The heat from the liquid can cause the pressure in the blender to build up under the lid, and when the blender is turned on, the top can blow off, and your hot soup will go everywhere. Keep the lid vented by removing the small window insert from the middle of the blender lid; hold a towel over the open window to prevent splattering. Always start at the lowest speed possible.
I’ve been exhausted lately because of Lyme disease symptoms and, more recently, COVID symptoms. I’ve been drinking more coffee than usual-2 instead of 1 cup in the morning, and I feel a strong urge to have my coffee immediately in the morning. I get a nice little jolt of energy and then crash. I’m returning to starting my day with a large glass of lemon water with a sprinkle of sea salt (to replace electrolytes), and I feel better for doing so. Always start your day with water, as you will always be dehydrated when you first wake up. Then you can have your coffee.
Enjoy your cup of Joe and make it as healthy as possible-no sugar or syrups, nut milk, organic, and no more than 2 cups per day. Evaluate your relationship with it and be honest if you think you depend on it, especially if you deal with the things listed under “Bad” above. If you take a break, monitor how you respond with and without coffee.
Let me know about your relationship with coffee in the comments below.
Be well.
Anita
DISCLAIMER; The information provided on County Yoga Loft’s website blog is for general health care informational purposes only. All information on the site is provided in good faith. However, it should not replace consultation or advice from a physician and/or other healthcare practitioners. The use or reliance of any information contained on this site is solely at your own risk.
Resources:
1) Healthline