Should You Reduce Your Coffee Intake?
Coffee, or Coffea arabica, is a powerful medicinal plant with a documented history dating back as far as 1000 A.D. Traditionally, it has been used to address conditions such as asthma, pain, depression, gallstones, kidney stones, and menstrual issues, as well as serving as a decongestant for colds, flu, and allergies—thanks in part to its vasoconstrictive properties. However, coffee is not without its side effects. It contains caffeine, which has addictive properties that may lead to physical dependence. It can also contribute to dizziness, headache, dehydration, heart palpitations, insomnia, fatigue and digestive upset.
Herbal medicine is highly individualized and tailored to a person’s unique set of symptoms and overall body constitution. The dose, method of consumption and time of day are all considered. Why is it assumed that everyone can consume coffee in the same way?
There are several symptoms in which I recommend eliminating, reducing, or modifying how someone consumes coffee:
Anxiety
Sleep issues
Diarrhea
Acid Reflux/Heartburn
Constant fatigue
Skin issues
Red Flag Check 🚩
If your bowel movements are loose after a cup, this is a sign that this plant is too strong for your system. BM is well formed after coffee? No problem here.
Anxiety worse with coffee? Not your plant. Let’s adjust when and how much you are drinking.
Constant fatigue have you relying on coffee for energy? Let’s cut back and give your system a break while we figure out the real reason your energy is low.
Can your coffee tolerance vary over time? Yes! It’s all about finding a balance that works for your body when you need it.
There is plenty of research discussing the negative impacts of excessive caffeine on your adrenals, hormones, and nervous system. There are also benefits to coffee like antioxidants and bitter compounds. So when we hear that coffee is both “bad” and “good,” it can be confusing to know what to believe.
Moving away from binary labels like “bad or good” can help us form a relationship with this plant that help us thrive.
Here are my tips for reducing coffee intake
Go for a split shot. Request a half decaf/half regular shot in your next latte (AKA split shot or half caf)
Reduce the amount of cups you have in a day. If you find yourself having two, three or even four cups of coffee, try cutting that in half.
Replace with low caffeine drinks like tea.
Alternate days you drink coffee. One day on, one day off. Alternate with tea or another morning beverage.
Opt for decaf. Many folks say they drink coffee because they like the flavor and the ritual, not necessarily the caffeine. Try decaf instead! This keeps the coffee ritual alive while significantly reducing the caffeine intake. Did you know decaf still has a minimal amount of caffeine in it?
Try herbal coffee. Have you heard of herbal replacements for coffee? These herbs have a roasted coffee-like flavor and can act as a replacement while actually supporting your body’s natural detox pathways. Check out the Rasa Coffee Alternative.
General tips when consuming coffee
Always consume coffee with food, never on empty stomach. Having protein and fiber in your system can help reduce feelings of anxiety and jitters because the caffeine will take more time to metabolize. Even a small piece of toast with butter or avocado can make all the difference!
Only drink before noon. Some people who experience insomnia are more sensitive to caffeine than they realize.