This week I’ve been thinking about giving coffee the boot?! Yes, I know, how could I even think about it?! I do love coffee – especially when you need it to power through the day! But recently I’ve been reading and reading about how coffee is really not good for you at all! And seeing as I’m on a health kick this new year that means, unfortunately, that the coffee has got to go!
On the one side, there are a lot of benefits from drinking coffee, it can improve your memory function and it’s obviously really good at making you feel more ALERT. It’s even one of the biggest ways the American woman ingest antioxidants. But then again, you hear these stories of people who give it up for good and how it has changed their lives for good! Because in reality, too much caffeine is not good for your health and here’s why:
1.
You’ll lose weight
It’s not just about coffee, but it’s about giving up caffeine in general. Because I don’t think a lot of people understand how many calories you consume with caffeinated products. I bet you didn’t know that you could be consuming around 200 calories per cup of coffee! So, by cutting it out of your life all together you’ll potentially lose a little bit of weight!
2.
Say hello to more energy
Did you know that even drinking caffeine six hours before going to bed can disrupt your sleeping pattern? It’s crazy – especially when you think the caffeine would be out of your system by that time! And it’s a cycle! That’s why you wake up feeling more tired and craving your usual cup of coffee to wake you up! So, by staying away from the caffeine you will not only have a better, deeper sleep but you will have more energy when you wake up too – more than those who even drink a little bit of coffee!
3.
You’ll feel more at peace
It’s no news to you or to me that coffee is a stimulant, but when you think about it in terms of your body, it means that your nervous system is thrown into disarray! And because it triggers your adrenaline it puts your body into a state of confusion that’s either fight or fly. So, you can imagine what happens when you cut caffeine out altogether. You’ll actually feel less anxious, less stressed and much more at ease!
4.
You’ll save money
If you’re anything like me, you spend your money in various coffee chains more than once a day even if you don’t need a boost at all. On average I probably buy three coffees a day, which basically equates to $9 a day! Over a year that’s $2160 a year! And that’s crazy! That money instead can go to a lot more better use – you can even save it!
5.
Give your heart a break
Caffeine increases your blood pressure, which means your heart works twice as hard! And that’s not really fair to it at all! Depending on your genetics some will see a soar in their blood pressure levels more than most. In reality, it’s probably best to just stay away!
How to stop!
Quitting coffee isn’t going to be easy, especially if you’re addicted and you don’t need much to feel coffee withdrawals. There’s going to be headaches and shakes but you can avoid this by cutting your intake down day by day.
Now, going cold turkey is probably not the best thing you can do. Especially if you would describe yourself as a caffeine addict. So, you can either do this gradually or just change the way you drink caffeine completely.
What I’m finding recently now that I’ve made the switch is swapping my coffees for tea. Whilst, there is still caffeine in tea it won’t give you the horrible side-effects that coffee gives. Instead, you’ll get all the benefits (depending on the tea for what) without the hassle!
Plus, you’ll probably want to eventually switch it out completely. Making the switch to water is natural and super healthy for you, which will help you live a healthier life. A regular intake will help your internal organs to detox and will keep your body steadily hydrated throughout the day – not to mention the skin benefits. Steer away from sodas and change to fruit infused water or sparkling water and you will definitely feel and see the difference.
What do you think? Will you make the switch?
GOOD THINGS
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Ugh I can’t imagine giving up coffee, but this was so helpful. Thanks for sharing!
http://www.aglassofbovino.com
My first reaction was of course to say things like “but coffee is an appetite suppressant!” and “coffee helps me feel awake later in the day!” But let’s be real here, I definitely indulge in one too many lattes past 2pm…
I don’t know if I will ever be able to quit coffee, but in the last week I have reduced my coffee intake from three cups a day to two and I already notice a difference in how I feel. Now I just have my morning coffee with coconut milk and my afternoon cup with a small snack. It makes me enjoy the cup more instead of chugging it to get the caffeine.
https://dreamofadventures.com/
I recently stopped drinking coffee every morning and I was surprised at how easily I was able to do it! I probably drink it now just once a week, if that. I don’t stop myself ordering it if I’m out and about but I don’t have the urge to have coffee in the morning anymore.
A xx
alexisadrienne.net
“I bet you didn’t know that you could be consuming around 200 calories per cup of coffee!” How about no?! Unless you drink those sugary starbucks crap. A good black coffee has zero calories. That said, how is saving money something that happens to my body? And at last.. buying three cups of coffee a day? Seriously, I don’t think drinking coffee is your biggest concern. Not your greatest article.