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How coffee punch will hurt you

Coffee is the most widely used CNS stimulant. It stimulates your neurons and brain impulses. Caffeine in coffee can increase energy metabolism throughout the brain but at the same time can decrease cerebral blood flow, resulting in hypertension. The best coffee can leave an adverse effect, if not taken in right quantity.

Let see some other side effect of coffee.

Negative health effects of coffee

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• Coffee and Acidity

Acidity is a common side effect caused due to coffee overconsumption. HCL in the stomach is produced to digest bigger meals. If body starts producing acid on smaller meals, then it can cause acid reflux. Taking coffee with an empty stomach can create an acid imbalance. This results in undigested food, and complications like gas, bloating, and IBS.

• Kidney and Coffee

Excess coffee affects the ability of your body to absorb minerals, particularly in your kidneys. Your kidney absorbs many essential nutrients like zinc, calcium, magnesium and other important minerals. Magnesium maintains the bowel regularity and is crucial for many other activities

• Stress and Tension

Some prefer coffee to relieve stress and tension. But people with hypertension should avoid drinking caffeinated beverages. It can elevate their blood pressure and make the condition worse.

• Caffeine linked to migraines

Coffee contains caffeine. Research have suggested that caffeine can cause headaches and lead to migraines.

• Heartburn

Heartburn and acid reflux can be caused in the way the lower esophageal sphincter works. Once you have eaten your meal, the esophageal muscle should be tightly closed. But excess caffeine in coffee can lead to the loosening effect of esophageal muscle. This can contribute to acid reflux and heartburn.

• Roasted coffee beans may cause cancer

When a coffee bean is roasted, it produces acrylamide. Acrylamide is thought to be a cancer causing substance. People addicted to alcohol, smoking and coffee are at greater risk of cancer.

• Caffeine related allergies

Some people are oversensitive to caffeine. They show allergic reaction, like a rash, eczema, severe itching, panic attacks, and shortness of breath.

• Insomnia

Insomnia is the most common symptom of caffeine sensitivity. The effects of caffeine on sleep depends on the amount consumed. Some people may experience milder symptoms while some experience an intense effect. The quality of sleep also depends on individual genetic disposition.

• Teeth Problems

Coffee and tea are the most common cause for premature yellowing of the teeth. The high amount of acid present in coffee results in erosion of the enamel (a protective covering of teeth). This may cause pigmentation and tooth decay.

• Damages Intestinal Tract

As we know, coffee is highly acidic. It can damage the lining of the gastrointestinal tract and lead to ulcers, or burning sensations.

• Osteoporosis

Coffee consumption in excess can influence bone matrix and increase the risk of osteoporosis. Excess intake of coffee can hinder the absorption of calcium. It is an essential mineral responsible for bone strengthening.

• Cause Dehydration

Caffeine is a diuretic, or, a substance increasing urine production. This means that coffee has the potential to cause dehydration. People who are doing regular exercise must rehydrate themselves with fluid before and after exercise.

• Caffeine Withdrawal

Individuals who are addicted to coffee, on immediate withdrawal show symptoms like headaches, anxiety, drowsiness, and depression.

• Cholesterol in unfiltered coffee

Unfiltered coffee may cause a rise in cholesterol level. It contains both cafestol and kahweol. These two chemicals can increase cholesterol. However, filters remove both these elements from brewed coffee.

• Cardiovascular risk

Coffee can increase the level of homo-cysteine. This chemical can increase the risk of heart disease and peripheral vascular disease. Caffeine also blocks some essential constituents required by heart for normal functioning. This may increase the risk of heart failure.

How much coffee is safe

Caffeine content in a cup of coffee depends on the size of cup. It varies from 50 to 400 mg per cup. A small home brewed cup of coffee contains about 50 mg of caffeine.

It is believed that 400 mg of caffeine or 4 big cups of coffee per day is safe for healthy adults. However, 12 ounces of coffee per day is considered ideal. It is equivalent to 260 mg of caffeine.

Substitutes to Coffee

If you want to get rid of coffee addition. Here are some good way to overcome this addiction.

• Decaffeinated Coffee: Decaffeinated coffee is deprived of caffeine but not completely. It is having a very low level of caffeine than the normal coffee. Each normal cup contains about 0-7 mg of coffee
• Green Tea: Green tea is a safe and healthy substitute for coffee. It is full of anti-oxidant. Green tea does have caffeine amount but in a very trace amount, and would not affect your body.
• Lemon Water: Unlike coffee, warm lemon water in the morning will keep your body hydrated. It also helps to avoid unwanted calorie you get from the coffee.
• Teeccino: Teeccino is prepared from figs, dates, chicory root, barley, and dandelion. It tastes same as coffee but no caffeine in it. Unlike coffee, Teeccino is alkaline and will be beneficial for the digestive system.

Caution:

• Interaction with other medicines

Many drugs interact with coffee, and those interactions can lead to mild to severe complications. It includes heartburn, increased heart rate, low blood pressure, etc. People who are on prescribed sedative drugs should consult doctors before consuming coffee. Studies have shown that drugs like antipsychotics, quinolones, bronchodilators, etc. have a potential risk of interaction with caffeine. Medicines that slow down blood clotting are also found interacting with coffee like aspirin, warfarin, etc.

• Not for Pregnant women and Children

During pregnancy, women should avoid consuming coffee. Some research suggests that it may lead to miscarriage, birth defects, premature birth and low birth weight. Children should avoid drinking coffee as their liver cannot metabolize caffeine. The caffeine remains in the body for 4-5 days and can lead to irritability and sleeplessness.

• Not for Ocular Hypertension

There is no clear evidence, but some studies suggested that Coffee is not recommended for patients having glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

• Alcohol interaction with Coffee

Alcohol can slow down breaking down of caffeine in the blood stream. This may result in high caffeine effect for longer hours. Alcohol with coffee may be a deadly combination and should be avoided.