Why You Should Avoid Too Much Caffeine

Many of us feel like we just aren’t human until we’ve had a cup of coffee in the morning.  But is all that caffeine really good for us?

Before you reach for that second cup of coffee, here’s what you should know about the possible health risks.

• Each person reacts differently to caffeine and we all have different tolerance levels.  Listen to what your body is telling you.
• Caffeine can cause gastro-intestinal problems, i.e., bloating, gut pain and flatulence.
• For others, caffeine can cause anxiety, irritability, heart palpitations and insomnia.
• Some people experience arrhythmia after drinking caffeine.  Therefore, if you have a heart condition, you should stay away from drinks that contain caffeine.
• Make sure you counteract the caffeine with a glass of water.  Caffeine is a diuretic and can cause increased urination and possible dehydration.  
• High levels of caffeine have been found to increase calcium excretion.  If you have a family history of osteoporosis, it’s good to avoid caffeine whenever possible.

If you find yourself craving a second cup of coffee during the day, there’s good reason.  The caffeine in coffee is a stimulant drug with addictive properties.  Have you ever missed your daily coffee?  Perhaps you felt irritable, couldn't concentrate or had a headache.  These are normal withdrawal symptoms.  If you decide to stop caffeine, do so slowly as these withdrawal symptoms can be hard to handle.  As you are slowly decreasing your caffeine intake, be sure to eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and drink plenty of water.  Now is a great time to experiment with different types of tea.  Rooibus tea and green teas are flavourful and their low caffeine levels make them the perfect beverage.

By Jenny Colless-Buhn, Naturopath at Hopewood Health Retreat