To Drink or Not to Drink- Caffeine

Caffeine is the drug of choice for most people. In 2008, an average of 50% of Americans drink coffee a day, according to the National Coffee Association of America's research. Caffeine is in everything from chocolate, to tea, to coffee, soda, and energy drinks. So if caffeine is so widespread, why is it a good idea to avoid?

Many weight loss drugs will add caffeine to help speed the metabolism and therefore weight loss. Although caffeine may act as a appetite suppressent, over time it will actually increase appetite. When caffeine is first ingested, it acts as a stimulant, similar to adrenaline. The adrenaline effect causes the body to reach into its stored carbohydrates for energy, releasing the carbohydrates into the bloodstream, increasing blood sugars. What goes up, must come down, causing a crash in blood sugars and a ravenous appetite. In order for the body to lower the blood sugars, insulin is released, which will store the carbohydrates as fat.

Furthermore, every time you have that cup of coffee, it puts stress on the adrenal glands to release the stress horomone adrenaline. The adrenals are walnut sized glands and are not meant to be taxed daily. When people ask Elizabeth and I if it is okay for them to drink coffee, our answer usually depends on whether they need it. Once there is state of dependency, or somoeone needs multiple cups to keep them going, there are signs of adrenal fatigue. When your adrenals have more pressure on them from the caffeine, they respond less to external stress, resulting in illness, fatigue, and hormone imbalance, including sex hormones.

Many of us swear by caffeine to help wake us up in the morning. The catch 22 behind this theory- drinking coffee during the day may actually hinder your sleep during the night. Caffeine has a half life of 9 hours, meaning half of the caffeine you drink is still present in the bloodstream 9 hours later. So if you have coffee mid-afternoon, it may be interrupting your sleep patterns, causing waking up in the morning to be that much more difficult. In addition, poor sleep will cause an increase in stress hormones, putting further stress on the adrenals.

Although stopping caffeine altogether can be quite a challenge, definitely consider cutting back. Ease off of it by asking for half-caf. Or brew your own by putting half scoops of regular and half decaf. Some coffee brands actually make a half-caffeinated coffee. After about two weeks without caffeine, see how you feel. I would love to hear your feedback!