More Coffee?

“I am so tired. I need to stop drinking coffee.”

“No, what you need is more coffee!”

This was a brief conversation I heard the other day.

I don’t think any one would argue that coffee contains caffeine. And few will argue the fact that caffeine is a drug that is addictive. The conversation I heard is a common one. One person realizes they are getting hooked on a type of food and try to break that physical and or psychological connection. While they are reaping the side effects of that food a well-intentioned friend suggest more of the food instead, because “It’s not going to hurt you.”

Lets quickly look at coffee/caffeine and just a few the effects it has on the body.

• Coffee has an irritating effect on gastric mucosa and can lead to development of ulcers.

• People that are heavy coffee drinkers may develop vitamin b1 insufficiency.

• Caffeine interacts with absorption of some nutrients in the small intestines.

• Caffeine is a central nervous system and metabolic stimulant, and is used both recreationally and medically to reduce physical fatigue and restore mental alertness when unusual weakness or drowsiness occurs.

Now the next time you meet someone who is trying to block a physical or mental connection with food in order to improve their health, don’t sabotage their efforts. Help them through the withdrawal period. For coffee drinkers they might be experiencing headaches, fatigue, irritability, an inability to concentrate, and stomach aches. These symptoms may appear within 12 to 24 hours after discontinuation of caffeine intake, peak at roughly 48 hours, and usually last from one to five days.

Think in terms of drug addiction when you are going to stop consuming coffee or run into someone who has. They need help not to digress into the habit, not encouragement to return to their habit. They are asking for help  because it is a rough process to stop one thing and start something new.

I like coffee. I love the smell even more than the taste. I drink an occasional cup of the hot stuff and enjoy an ice coffee during the summer. I have also experienced first hand the side effects when I stopped drinking coffee. Dean and I RARELY drink more than one cup of caffeinated coffee per day, and some days we don’t drink any. Be careful with any dependency, even the “legal” ones.

I don’t think anyone would tell someone who is trying to quit smoking to start up again just because the with drawl process is rough,  so why would we recommend coffee to someone who wants to quit?

To your best health,

Coach Nancy