The morning ‘cup of Joe’ as you fondly call your coffee kick-starts most of your days. You swear by it and even feel rejuvenated by the rich taste of freshly brewed coffee.
Your coffee maker is cherished for its amazing work. Sorry to burst your bubbles folks; your usual morning cup of coffee might be a bad idea. Coffee has been found to have adverse effects on health. The effects are felt in the short-term and the long-term.
Before you gobble that cup of coffee in the morning like your life depends on it, read the following negative effects of taking coffee in the morning.
Hypochlorhydria
This condition is as a result of lack of the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Taking coffee on an empty stomach can cause this condition.
When food is ingested, the stomach automatically produces HCL in preparation for digestion. When coffee is consumed, the same production happens, only that there is no digestion. This effect occurs with caffeinated and decaffeinated brands of coffee.
Regular production of HCL as a result of coffee intake may result in the body’s inability to produce enough acid for digestion of food. The results could range from undigested particles in the excretion, indigestion, to diarrhea.
Decrease in Cortisol Production
Cortisol is commonly known as the ‘stress hormone’ because it is often produced when one is anxious or afraid. Your morning cup of coffee introduces caffeine into the body when cortisol is at its peak.
Cortisol is also responsible for keeping us awake and instructing the body to sleep. When caffeine is taken in the morning, it undermines the natural effects of cortisol.
The result is tolerance of the drug caffeine and the replacement of the functions of cortisol. You will end up depending on caffeine to sleep and to remain awake. Cortisol production will be inhibited, and caffeine will take over.
Abnormal Peristalsis
Peristalsis happens when the muscles of the intestines constrict and relax in a coordinated motion to propel food towards the colon. Coffee intake increases peristalsis. You have probably on many occasions heard of complaints from people who have heard too many trips to the bathroom after taking coffee.
Caffeine stimulates the muscles to move. This results in premature digestion. Food is propelled towards the colon before the small intestines have taken their share of the nutrients. The colon is not spared because the food is quickly propelled towards the rectum for excretion.
The passage of food through the colon without enough absorption of fluids results in loose stools. The mere thought of rushing to the bathroom after every second is not a beautiful picture. You do not want your first destination to be the bathroom when you get to work.
Insomnia and Anxiety
Scientists have found out that caffeine lasts for up to 12 hours in the body. Your intention to remain in the productive hours of the day and have a good night’s sleep after work might be a distant dream.
If you do the math, the chances are that you will still be wide awake at 9 pm after taking coffee at 9 am. This can cause frustration and fatigue.
People who suffer from anxiety disorders are cautioned against taking coffee. The energy-boosting effect of caffeine might backfire on a person with anxiety. Caffeine in coffee stimulates the brain. This stimulation may worsen the anxiety.
Coffee increases the production of the stress hormone, cortisol. The result is increased heart rate and the blood pressure. These results are harmful to a person with anxiety.
Addiction
The morning coffee routine might seem harmless until you skip a cup before leaving the house. The withdrawal symptoms kick in like any other drugs. Your colleagues at work might gather to discuss the best intervention.
Withdrawal symptoms include migraines, nausea, irritability, depression, and uneasiness among others. Relying on any substance to the extent of addiction is unhealthy. Caffeine is a drug like any other. It is good to substitute coffee with other healthy breakfast options to avoid addiction.
Acid reflux and GERD
Your morning cup of coffee relaxes the esophageal sphincter. Not everything about relaxing is positive. The relaxation results in the backward flow of the stomach content back to the mouth. Anybody who experiences heart burns should avoid coffee like the plague.
The little muscle in the throat is supposed to be tight. Interfering with the natural state will teach you a lesson that you will never forget. The taste left in the mouth is worse than licking a pinch of cayenne paper.
Coffee has many amazing benefits to the body but like all substances, ‘too much of it is poisonous.’ You might be the unlucky few who cannot stomach coffee. Don’t feel left out.
There are plenty of rich-tasting drinks out there. It is wrong to force the coffee down your throat because it will cause more harm than good.
Jeanne McDonald is the founder/main editor of YourDiningCenter.com – a great website with Tips, Guides and Reviews to help people who have passion in Coffee, Foods, Drinks and Cooking. Follow us on Twitter