While you may be willing to make lifestyle adjustments to improve your health, failure to recognize which habits can preclude you from maximizing wellness can result in frustration. Coffee consumption, for example, is a very popular and culturally accepted drinking habit that can severely impair the body’s ability to function ideally. Yet not understanding the detrimental effects this form of caffeine can have on your organs-especially when consumed excessively-will often entail continued consumption of the beverage. If you examine the evidence demonstrating the adverse effects coffee has on the body, however, the importance of removing the drink from your diet may begin making sense.
1. Coffee is a diuretic.
According to findings reported by Dr. Heidi Wiesenfelder, caffeine consumption interferes with the production of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which promotes water reabsorption in the kidneys. Thus, consuming caffeine in the form of coffee reduces the body’s ability to retain water and entails increased elimination of the liquid through urine. This loss of water can be problematic for your health given that it can contribute to dehydration, a condition that makes you more susceptible to sickness and disease.
2. Coffee is often heavily sprayed with pesticides.
As stated by Dr. Mercola, most coffee is produced outside the U.S. and this fact limits the government’s control of which chemicals the substance is treated with. Additionally, Merchants of Green Coffee reports that coffee is currently ranked as one of the top three pesticide-treated crops. When sprayed with pesticides, coffee can contribute to various cancers and Parkinson’s disease.
3. Drinking coffee inhibits the body’s use of B vitamins.
In an article on how caffeine compromises the body’s ability to use B vitamins, Don Amerman points out that its diuretic effect is the culprit. Specifically, B vitamins are removed from the body through urination. For this reason, Amerman argues that individuals who consume excessive amounts of coffee will likely need to supplement with B vitamins to compensate for nutrients lost through excretion.
Upon grasping the negative impact that drinking coffee can have on you, quitting is the next logical step. While doing so may seem simple, many people find that their bodies crave caffeine and respond hysterically when they cease consuming the drink. This happens because of the physiological impact the compounds in the coffee have on the body. Despite this impact however, gradually decreasing the amount you consume-or simply quitting cold turkey-will alleviate your body of its cravings for caffeine.
My own journey from daily coffee consumption to complete abstinence has been challenging yet rewarding. Because I have quit and subsequently resumed drinking the beverage several times, I recognize how addictive consumption can be as well as the psychosomatic challenges that result from the detox process. For this reason, I have had to develop viable strategies for myself in order to make ending the habit permanent. Over the last week, I devised a plan that has worked for me. Rather than quitting cold turkey, I have slowly decreased my intake to avoid headaches and the feeling of fatigue that often happens when caffeine is eliminated from the diet.
While ending coffee consumption gradually has been an effective strategy for me, this method still has drawbacks. Although I have decreased the amount of caffeine I drink each day, I occasionally experience a dull throbbing sensation in my brain coupled with bouts of tiredness. Thus while quitting coffee is a viable goal, those interested in doing so should know that overcoming caffeine addiction can be challenging. When one considers the physical and mental benefits that result from quitting, however, the effort is worth it.
Sources:
“Effects of Coffee on Urination” -LiveStrong.com
“8 Reasons Why You Should Avoid Drinking Coffee” -Dr. Mercola.com
“What Are The Vitamin B Robbers?” -HealthyEating.sfgate.com
“Issues in the Industry: Facts About Coffee” -MerchantsofGreenCoffee.com
