Coffee is a popular drink around the world and has been linked to a variety of positive health outcomes. However, there are also some concerns that should be taken into consideration when consuming this beverage.
For example, high levels of caffeine consumption have been associated with heartburn and irritation to the gastrointestinal tract. Additionally, some medications interact with the caffeine in coffee including those that treat thyroid disorders such as levothyroxine.
Potential Negative Effects of Caffeine Consumption
Coffee is a popular beverage around the world that can help to increase alertness, alleviate fatigue, and improve concentration and focus. However, it also contains a stimulant known as caffeine which can have negative effects on health in excess.
Caffeine has been linked to increased blood pressure, anxiety, jitters, insomnia, and other problems. It can also interfere with sleep patterns and lead to dependence, which is why it is important to limit your intake of this ingredient.
Although caffeine may have a few negative side effects, it has also been shown to have several positive ones. For example, research published in the journal Biological Psychiatry suggests that drinking coffee can reduce suicide risk. It has also been linked to improved cognitive function, as well as reduced Alzheimer’s and dementia risk.
Several studies have found that people who drink coffee have lower risks of diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. In a 2017 meta-analysis, researchers found that drinking four to six cups of coffee each day was associated with a lower risk of metabolic syndrome, including type 2 diabetes. It was also linked to a lower risk of Parkinson’s disease and a reduced risk of death due to any cause.
Impact of Coffee on Sleep Quality and Patterns
There’s no doubt that coffee boosts energy levels, but it can also impact your sleep patterns and overall sleep quality. This is largely due to the caffeine content of this popular beverage.
Caffeine interferes with the body’s natural sleep cycle by inhibiting adenosine, a neurotransmitter that promotes sleepiness. When you consume caffeine, it competes for adenosine’s receptors and prevents the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin from being released into your system.
Consequently, it takes longer for you to fall asleep and your sleep efficiency decreases. In addition, regular caffeine consumption delays your circadian rhythms and reduces the amount of REM sleep you get each night.
The good news is that consuming decaffeinated coffee can mitigate the negative effects of caffeine on your sleep. However, it’s best to avoid this drink in the afternoon and evening if possible.
If you must have a cup of coffee in the late afternoon or evening, be sure to consume it at least 12 hours before your scheduled bedtime. In addition, it’s important to limit your intake of added sugars, creamers, and flavorings.
Gastrointestinal Discomfort and Digestive Issues
As much as coffee is loved by some, it can be a problem for those with digestive issues. A few common symptoms include stomach pain, acid reflux, and diarrhea. These issues are typically caused by two components found in coffee: caffeine and acid.
Caffeine is stimulating for the digestive tract and can cause contractions that can lead to stomach pain, says Vivrant Nutrition. It can also lead to bloating, diarrhea, and bowel movements that are difficult to control.
According to the National Institute of Health, a high intake of caffeine can cause acidity in the stomach. This is mainly because it stimulates the parietal cells to secrete gastric juice. This is because the pH of coffee is around five, which is higher than that of stomach fluids.
However, the acidity of coffee can vary based on how it is roasted and brewed. Darker roasts have a lower pH than lighter ones, as they contain less acid-producing compounds. The type and brewing method also affects the concentration of stomach-affecting chemicals, such as chlorogenic acid, quintic acid, and citric acid.
Increased Heart Rate and Blood Pressure
When you drink coffee, it can increase your heart rate and blood pressure slightly. This is because the caffeine in coffee acts as a stimulant and increases your adrenaline levels, which can cause your body to react quickly. It can also cause you to become jittery or anxious, which can make it hard to sleep. If you have high blood pressure or are at risk of heart disease, you should limit how much coffee you drink.
Studies that link coffee consumption to negative health outcomes often fail to take other factors into account, such as whether the person smoked or used sedatives, or if they were consuming other types of food and beverages that can cause problems. However, in general, most scientists agree that regular coffee intake is likely not harmful to your health and may even have positive effects.
Most experts recommend that you drink your coffee black – without sugar or cream – because adding these ingredients can greatly increase the calories in your beverage and lead to weight gain. One cup of brewed coffee contains around 2 calories, but adding milk or sugar can add anywhere from 15 to 300 extra calories per serving.
Dependency and Withdrawal Symptoms
A dependence on coffee is not uncommon and can lead to caffeine withdrawal symptoms when you stop consuming it. It’s important to carefully wean off of coffee and consume other sources of caffeine, such as black tea or decaf coffee. Some people can become irritable or moody when they begin to wean off of caffeine due to the mood-boosting and energy-boosting effects it once provided.
Often, coffee is served with sugar and this can cause a spike in blood sugar levels. High levels of glucose in the blood trigger the body’s stress hormones and can increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes.
Heavy coffee drinking can also interfere with the absorption of certain medications, such as levothyroxine (thyroid hormone) and tricyclic antidepressants. This may lead to an imbalance in these medications and potentially a harmful interaction. Also, the constituents in coffee can impair normal drug metabolism and detoxification in the liver. This can be a dangerous combination, especially for those with underlying health conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and gallstones. It’s best to talk with your doctor if you believe you are dependent on caffeine. He or she may refer you to a mental health professional for treatment.
Effects of Coffee on Anxiety and Stress Levels
A cup of coffee may not seem like a health drink, but it can actually reduce anxiety in some people. In one study, daily coffee consumption was linked to a decreased risk of depression in women, despite the fact that the participants also used tobacco and were sedentary. The negative effects of caffeine are often attributed to the beverage’s high levels of antioxidants, which have been shown to reduce stress.
Those who have an underlying anxiety disorder should not consume caffeine, since it can trigger or worsen their symptoms. However, it seems that most people without an anxiety disorder can have a moderate amount of caffeine in their diet. They should limit sugar and sweeteners in their coffee, though.
Coffee can offer numerous benefits, including a reduced risk of heart disease, liver and endometrial cancers, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. It also contains a variety of antioxidants that can help prevent neurodegeneration and decrease inflammation in the body. The beverage should be limited, though, in those with diabetes or a history of cardiovascular problems. It is also not recommended for pregnant women and those who are breastfeeding.
Potential Risks Associated with Certain Coffee Add
While many people think that their morning cup of coffee is healthy, this drink can be unhealthy if added sugar or other ingredients are consumed. One example of a harmful ingredient found in some coffee is diacetyl, which has been linked to incurable lung cancer in some cases. This chemical is used to create a buttery flavor in some coffee products, and it has been banned from use in the United States.
In addition to sugar, other additives like flavored syrups and creamers can be a major problem for your health. The artificial flavors found in these add-ons typically contain a solvent carrier called propylene glycol, which has been shown to have many negative health effects. For this reason, it is best to avoid flavored coffee.
Despite the bad reputation coffee has received in the past, new research shows that it can have many positive health benefits when consumed in moderation. In addition to protecting against Type 2 diabetes, researchers have also found that it may support a range of beneficial bacteria in the gut. However, it is important to note that many of these studies associate increased coffee consumption with decreased mortality, but don’t actually prove that the coffee itself causes this effect. It is likely that other factors, such as tobacco use and a sedentary lifestyle, are more responsible.