What You Should Know About Coffee and Caffeine

Is coffee really good for us? Many scientific studies, often funded by powerful food industry interests, claim it is. But the truth is more complicated. While coffee does contain antioxidants and other substances that can offer some benefit, in the big picture, its effects on the body are not as positive as we’re often told.

Caffeine is found not only in coffee but also in black tea, soft drinks, kola nuts, chocolate, cocoa drinks, diet pills, and even certain painkillers. The “energy” we feel after drinking coffee is the body’s urgent reaction to get rid of the toxins. When the caffeine wears off, many people feel tired, weak, or down. Over time, this cycle can wear out vital organs like the liver, pancreas, and adrenal glands.

What Is Caffeine?

Caffeine is a drug and an addictive one. It’s in the same group of chemicals (alkaloids) as morphine and cocaine. Even one cup a day can cause dependency. You’ll know this is true if you try to quit and experience headaches, fatigue, mood changes, trouble focusing, or even flu-like symptoms. These can last for several days, especially in the beginning.

Coffee as a Diuretic

Coffee increases acidity in the body and forces it to flush out fluids through more frequent urination. This adds stress on the kidneys and dehydrates the body, often triggering migraines and fatigue.

Loss of Minerals and Vitamins

Drinking coffee can reduce important minerals like calcium, iron, and magnesium. This puts pressure on bones and muscles, especially in women and pregnant women, where these nutrients are critical. Coffee can contribute to osteoporosis, as the acid in it causes the body to “borrow” calcium from bones to neutralize it.

Oxalic acid in coffee and tea binds with calcium and blocks its absorption. Tea also contains tannic acid, which makes it harder to absorb iron, this is especially important for women to know. Coffee can also interfere with important vitamins like B1, B6, B12, and folic acid. These deficiencies can raise cholesterol and increase the risk of heart disease.

Toxic and Cancer-Causing Substances

Coffee beans are roasted at very high temperatures, and during this process, some toxic substances can form. One of them is acrylamide, a known carcinogen (cancer-causing agent). Coffee also contains nitrosamines, which are linked to cancer and are found in other processed items like certain cosmetics and packaged vegetables. Women who drink a lot of coffee may have increased estrogen levels, raising the risk of breast and uterine cancer.

Coffee and Pregnancy

Caffeine crosses the placenta, entering the baby’s body, yet the fetus has no way to detoxify it. Even small amounts of coffee can affect the baby’s heartbeat and blood pressure. Caffeine also passes through breastmilk, affecting nursing babies.

Coffee and Diabetes

Caffeine lowers the body’s sensitivity to insulin, which can make it harder to regulate blood sugar and may lead to or worsen diabetes.

Coffee and Sleep

Caffeine is a strong stimulant. It can stay in your body for up to 12 hours after you drink it, 1/8 of the caffeine can still be in your system. This can worsen anxiety and make it hard to sleep.

Coffee and Blood Pressure

Caffeine raises blood pressure, increases stress hormones like adrenaline, and causes more free fatty acids to circulate in the blood. This can lead to irregular heartbeats, palpitations, and even long-term heart issues.

Coffee and Eye Pressure (Glaucoma)

Caffeine can raise pressure in the eyes, which is dangerous for people with glaucoma or at risk of developing it.

Coffee and Stress

Caffeine increases stress hormones, which in turn redirect blood flow away from non-essential functions like digestion and skin repair. It also forces your body to use emergency energy stored in cells, which over time can leave you feeling drained and weaken your overall health.

Coffee and Chronic Illness

Just one cup of coffee can reduce the flexibility of your arteries for hours. This can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Studies also show coffee can double the risk of rheumatoid arthritis, especially in people drinking more than four cups a day.

Coffee and Detoxing

Caffeine interferes with the body’s natural ability to detox and can increase damage from free radicals. Many coffee plantations use heavy chemical spraying, and those toxins can end up in your body and sometimes even from crops sprayed years ago.

Tips for Coffee Lovers

If you’re going to drink coffee, choose organic. Many non-organic brands are sprayed with dangerous chemicals. If you prefer decaf, make sure it’s processed without toxic chemicals like trichloroethylene or acetone. These substances are linked to liver cancer and are often used in the caffeine-removal process.

If you must drink coffee, black coffee is less harmful than instant coffee, which is highly processed. Reduce the use of sugar and avoid adding cow’s milk, which may make the drink even harder on your liver.

A great alternative can be found at health food stores: grain-based coffee made from barley, chicory, or figs. It looks and tastes like regular instant coffee but is much easier on the body. You can mix it with soy milk or almond drink for a delicious and healthy substitute.