Think You Don’t Need to Give up Caffeine? Think Again!
When I think of drugs I don’t think of caffeine but the truth is that caffeine is the most commonly used drug in the world. Many people can’t even start their day off without a cup of coffee or some sort of caffeine ‘pick me up’. Plus giving up caffeine can be a bit of trouble because of the side effects such as headaches and nausea. You may think that caffeine is harmless enough but the truth is there are many negative side effects from excessive caffeine use.
Sure caffeine might help you get a jump start during the day but too much of it can make you shaky, jittery and nervous. If that isn’t bad enough it can even cause your heart to race and affect your breathing. It also can be the cause of stress!
Don’t fall prey to the trap that caffeine won’t affect your sleep time as long as you don’t drink it before bed. That’s not true. In fact, caffeine’s stimulating side effects can last up to six hours. If you have trouble sleeping at night, try cutting back on your afternoon caffeine consumption.
Studies have also suggested that besides the side effects of caffeine there are more serious consequences. One of the most serious consequences is that the stimulant properties can affect the heart including high blood pressure. Another consequence is you may lose calcium because of its diuretic effects. Studies also suggest that caffeine can cause certain cancers, raise cholesterol and cause stomach irritation. Most of this research is inclusive and linked to high consumptions of caffeine; this is all stuff you should still think about!
Pregnant women or those just trying to conceive should really think twice about drinking caffeine. It’s been linked to low birth weight, miscarriages and some also suspect it could prevent conception!
Quitting caffeine has to be a personal choice. Research suggests that caffeine may be bad for you but you have to be the one to decide whether you feel the consequences are severe enough to make you want to quit. Don’t go cold turkey and give it all up at once, especially if you consume large amounts of it. Start slowly and just cut back each day. You can expect to go through withdrawal symptoms but remember you’ll be better off in the long run.