The Pros and Cons of Coffee

Does the world feel a little blurry before you have that first cuppa joe in the morning? If you are like millions of Americans, coffee is a non-negotiable part of your a.m. routine, with the caffeine boost providing a lift you feel you can’t live without. But what if the lift came with baggage that could lead to health problems? Would you think twice about ordering that latte? Here, we dive into the pros and cons of coffee:

Stress

Caffeine stimulates creation of stress hormones, which can produce increased levels of anxiety, muscle tension, indigestion, insomnia—and even decreased immunity. This surge of hormones can also prevent you from having a healthy response to normal daily stress.

Adrenal Fatigue

The adrenals are sensitive to caffeine and can become exhausted with regular consumption. When your adrenals burn out you open yourself up to health disorders related to inflammation and fatigue.

Imbalanced Blood Sugar

Because caffeine stimulates a blood sugar rollercoaster, diabetics and hypoglycemics should avoid it. It can also cause weight gain since a surge of insulin will signal your body to store excess sugar as fat.

Aging

Caffeine dehydrates and contributes to aging of the skin and kidneys. It has been shown to derail DNA repair and slow the ability of the liver to clear out foreign toxins.

With all that said, caffeine is not all bad, and moderate intake of coffee comes with its share of perks.

The Pros of Coffee:

Disease Prevention

Caffeine provides some measure of prevention from Type-2 Diabetes, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s diseases due to its antioxidant properties and its effects on dopamine stimulation.

Antioxidants

If a free radical is formed in a cell and nothing is done, it can damage the DNA of the cell. Antioxidants in caffeine help stabilize free radicals and stop them from doing harm.

Concentration and Performance

The perk you get from coffee is not just perceived; research shows one cup can give you a lift in all of these areas, which can account for its popularity with students and athletes.

Armed with this knowledge about the quirks and perks of coffee, how will you tweak your habit?
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Resources: Caffeine Blues: Wake Up to the Hidden Dangers of America’s #1 Drug by Stephen Cherniske

Coffee Calculator App (helps you add up the cost of coffee in dollars and cents) — http://www.apple.com/webapps/calculate/coffeecalculator.html