How bad is coffee? This question divides opinions. There is no clear answer, because coffee has both positive and negative health properties. In addition, each person tolerates caffeine differently. We explain what happens when you stop drinking coffee.
Start the day without coffee in the morning? Unimaginable for many people. The daily dose of caffeine ensures that we wake up and get energy for the day. But immediately after getting up, enjoying coffee is anything but healthy due to our natural biorhythm. For example, drinking a cup of coffee between 8 and 9 in the morning is unproductive. In order to wake up naturally and by itself, our body releases cortisol. The so-called stress hormone is at its highest between six and eight in the morning – coffee as a stimulant is unnecessary in this case. Therefore, wait about three to four hours after getting up with your coffee – or do without coffee altogether.
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This is what happens when you give up coffee
1. You can get a headache
The first day without coffee will not be without it! You may get headaches , among other things . The reason: caffeine briefly constricts the blood vessels, resulting in faster blood flow and thus higher blood pressure. At the same time, however, the oxygen supply in the cells increases. So if we do without coffee, the short-term oxygen supply is reduced and we react with a headache. How long the headache lasts depends on how much coffee you have consumed each day. So it can take a few days to weeks to get used to it. One thing in particular helps against a headache: exercise in the fresh air. The extra boost of oxygen can alleviate the symptoms and is an effective help against tiredness.
2. You are tired
Yes, this fact is hardly surprising. Because the caffeine in coffee blocks the receptors in our brain for the messenger substance adenosine, which is responsible for making us feel tired. So if we do without coffee now, adenosine can dock better in the brain and we are significantly more tired than usual. The good news: the coffee without coffee pays off. Over time, the number of receptors will regulate and you will feel more alert again – all without an extra dose of caffeine! To wake up in the morning, a cold shower or a short walk helps. Have delicious pick-me-ups such as bananas, grapefruit or avocados for breakfast. Ginger is also a healthy pick-me-up. Prepared as a tea, the tuber has a stimulating effect on our circulation.
3. You are less stressed
Caffeine puts your body on high alert by releasing the hormones cortisol and adrenaline. Our blood sugar rises to release extra energy, our heart rate and breathing rate increase, and our focus improves. The adrenaline rush is followed by signs of exhaustion such as tiredness. You should definitely reconsider and reduce your coffee consumption if you notice physical signs such as tremors, palpitations or increased sweating after drinking. It’s also a good idea to skip your cup of coffee if you’re already stressed.
4. You can get constipated
The morning cup awakens not only the spirits, but also your digestion. If you now do without the hot drink in the morning, you will probably notice changes in your digestion at the beginning and get constipation for a short time at the beginning . Don’t worry! Give your gut some time to get used to the new situation – or instead of coffee in the morning, drink a glass of hot lemon water , which is also digestive.
Coffee also has health benefits
Do you find it difficult to give up coffee completely? According to the EU Food Safety Authority EFSA, 400 milligrams of caffeine (about four cups of coffee) throughout the day are harmless for a healthy adult. Or how about switching to healthier pick-me-ups? The caffeine in green tea acts much more slowly, but longer, thanks to the tannins it contains. Black tea is also an ideal alternative and has a stimulating and extremely healthy effect due to its caffeine content.
It must also be said that coffee has many health-promoting properties. Moderate consumption can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and Parkinson’s disease and has a positive effect on liver metabolism, among other things. Black coffee is the healthiest. Beverages such as latte macchiato, cappuccino or iced coffee are significantly less healthy and high in calories due to their high milk content.
