We could easily find 10 articles supporting the amazing benefits of coffee, right next to another 10 articles supporting why coffee is terrible for you.
So…to coffee or not to coffee?
Don’t worry, we’re not here to take away your beloved morning ritual!
We are here to discuss why coffee may not be the best choice for everyone and provide you with some strategies and tips for enjoying that cup of joe without sacrificing your health.
Some Pros and Cons…
Coffee plays an important role in most people’s daily lives, especially because of the alertness, elevated mood, and increased energy it provides. There are even some scientific studies showing regular consumption of caffeinated coffee could…
- Be heart-healthy
- Lower the risk of cancer
- Halt Parkinson’s Disease
- Protect from depression
- Minimize risk of a heart attack and stroke
- Reduce risk of liver disease and type 2 diabetes
On the other hand, there are studies that show regular consumption of caffeinated coffee could…
- Deplete the adrenals
- Deplete epinephrine and norepinephrine neurotransmitters
- Spike and then lower blood sugar
- Increase heart rate and alter blood sugar
- Exhaust gastric juices
- Transfer to baby via placenta and breast milk
So, which pros and cons do you listen to, and how do you move forward?
Our First Recommendations…
As mentioned, we don’t want to strip you of your favorite way to start your day, especially without reason.
Based on the research and our clinical experience, there are some individuals who benefit from avoiding it for a season to allow their body to fully heal and prevent any further deterioration of their health. This includes the following people:
- Those struggling with acid reflux, GERD or gastritis
- Those who are experiencing Insomnia or suffering from poor sleep
- Any individual with adrenal fatigue or HPA axis dysfunction
- Women who are pregnant or nursing
- Individuals with Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity (Yes, coffee can be a cross-reactive trigger for gluten in some people, but we can use a specialized test to rule this out. Contact our office at 858-259-6000 to learn more.)
If any of the above applies to you, please eliminate your coffee for now. Skip ahead for tips and tricks on how to stop without the headache and how to preserve your morning ritual without the caffeine.
Some Best Practices…
If you aren’t in the group mentioned above, congrats! Coffee is likely an OK choice for you. Here are some practical strategies to keep it that way and minimize any potential negative side effects.
- Don’t skip breakfast, replace a meal with coffee, or drink it on an empty stomach. Do wait until after breakfast to enjoy your cup of joe.
- Drink more water. Ideally, we recommend that for every 8 oz. of coffee, add an additional 12 oz. of water to your daily intake.
- Invest in safer non-toxic coffee maker options. For example…
- French Press
- Pour Over
- Percolator
- Stainless Expresso Maker
- Use unbleached coffee filters.
- Don’t contaminate your coffee with sugary, highly processed syrups and creamers from the store. Do make your own using real ingredients. I.e. replace white granulated sugar with raw honey or maple syrup; replace processed milk with raw cream. Here are some delicious recipes.
- Don’t use k-cups and pods.
- Remember, not all coffee is created equal. Do use high quality coffee beans. I.e organic, mold tested, pesticide/toxin free, etc. Some of our favorite brands of caffeinated coffee include: Lifeboost, Purity, Haselmayer Goods and Fabula and we recommend when drinking decaffeinated coffee, be sure it is Swiss water processed.
Struggling with Stopping the Habit?
We know it can be REALLY HARD to go cold turkey when you’re used to drinking caffeine on a daily basis. So, take it slow and wean yourself gradually to help avoid the uncomfortable side effects! For example, try to reduce your coffee intake by 25% every week by implementing one of the following ideas:
- Decrease the volume of coffee you drink every week. i.e. reduce from 2 cups to 1.5 cups.
- Decrease the caffeine content you drink every week. You could exchange your caffeinated coffee with caffeinated tea, (i.e. change from 2 cups of coffee to 1 cup of coffee and 1 cup of black tea) or switch to decaffeinated (i.e. 1 cup of regular coffee and 1 cup half caff.)
Following these guidelines should enable you to eliminate caffeine symptom-free by the fourth week.
Want to Preserve the “Ritual” Without Coffee?
If you’re looking for ways to preserve that morning ritual without coffee, here are a few delicious substitutes that you might want to consider…
- Rooibos, chickory root, or dandelion tea
- Some herbal combinations such as Dandy Blend™and Teccino™.
- MUD\WTR includes cacao, herbs and mushrooms.
- Any of the additional drink recipes…
- Hot Molasses Drink: 1 tablespoon molasses, 1 tablespoon coconut oil, 1/4 teaspoon powdered ginger in a mug with enough hot water to fill the mug.
- Chicken Broth with Coconut Milk: 1 quart homemade chicken broth, 1 can full-fat coconut milk, juice of 1-2 limes, pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Warm Flavored Milk: 2 cups whole raw milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon chocolate extract, 1 tablespoon carob powder, 2-3 teaspoons maple sugar. Use a whisk to blend all ingredients in a glass pyrex measuring pitcher. Set in simmering water until warm to the touch.
Remember…
Finally, please remember that most of the health conditions that prevent you from enjoying your coffee are correctable, and you don’t have to be without your morning cup of joe forever.
If you need help determining if coffee is a good choice for you, support for any of the health concerns preventing you from drinking it, or would like more information about the potential cross reactivity between coffee and gluten, schedule an appointment with your practitioner or a free 15 minute consultation for new clients.
This information is not to provide medical advice or to take the place of medical advice and treatment from your personal physician. Consult your own doctors or other qualified health professional regarding the treatment of your medical problems. Those taking prescription medications should consult with their physicians and not take themselves off of medicines to start supplementation without the proper supervision of a physician familiar with nutritional supplementation.
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