What are the Benefits of Going Caffeine Free?
Benefits of Going Caffeine Free
The most regularly consumed beverage in the UK is coffee. No matter where you go, you are pretty much guaranteed to see a coffee shop on every corner you turn. There is no sign of this growth slowing down with the revenue of the UK coffee market soaring to a staggering £1.6 billion. With many people having several cups of coffee as part of their daily routine, around 98 million cups are consumed daily in the UK alone, we must question what impact this has on our health and how kicking this habit to the curb can benefit ourselves.
Less Anxiety
Caffeine is known to provide bursts of energy. With that, comes stimulation of our fight or flight system which can result in anxiety and palpitations. Going caffeine free can help to diminish any symptoms of anxiety or nervousness and put you in a calmer, more controlled state.
Sleep Better
It is a well-known fact not to drink coffee before bed or you won’t sleep. This is because caffeine is a stimulant and it blocks the adenosine receptors in the brain. In turn, this can disrupt sleep by making it more difficult to sleep, reduce the amount of and quality of sleep. Research has shown that caffeine can intervene and prevent us from reaching a deep, restorative sleep, which has also been shown to have detrimental effects on our health.
Hormone Balancing
Is caffeine the root of all evil? It has been found that caffeine can increase oestrogen levels, disrupting the hormone balance and meaning that levels spike each time caffeine is consumed. Additionally, it is suggested that caffeine could be linked with PMS. Symptoms such as menstrual cramps, could be worsened due to caffeine blocking a hormone that makes blood vessels smaller, causing inflammation and bloating.
Get Rid of Those Headaches!
If caffeine is a staple in your routine, you may have wondered why you often get a headache throughout the day. When you consume caffeine, your blood vessels surrounding the brain narrow, and when you stop drinking caffeine, they expand again. This narrowing and expansion is what causes the pain in the form of a headache. This makes sense as to why when someone who regularly consumes caffeine, stops or cuts back their intake too quickly, will experience headaches from withdrawals. When the blood vessels widen when caffeine is stopped, this results in pressure in the nerves and causes pain.
Lower Blood Pressure
It is no secret that caffeine is a stimulant. Evidence shows that caffeine can lead to a short-term increase in blood pressure. Excessive drinking of caffeine combined with an individual’s sensitivity, can cause issues of high blood pressure, which can lead to awful complications such as heart disease and strokes. Therefore, going caffeine-free, will prevent any additional contribution to high blood pressure and help you to stay healthier in general.
Banish Digestive Issues
Too much caffeine can act as a laxative due to it stimulating colon muscle contractions. Additionally, some individuals may experience stomach upset or acid reflux, especially if they have previously diagnosed conditions, as caffeine can encourage the stomach to release acid. Giving up your daily dose of caffeine could help rectify those gastrointestinal issues causing you nuisance.
Sustained Energy Levels
We all know by now that caffeine can help with boosting energy levels. However, as previously mentioned, when caffeine is not consumed, energy levels come crashing down leading to symptoms of withdrawals such as headaches. Cutting out caffeine all together can level out your energy levels and mean that there will not be any dramatic energy crashes, leaving you feeling rubbish.
Better Absorption of Nutrients
Caffeine has been found to have a negative impact on the absorption of certain nutrients. Evidence has shown that Calcium and Vitamin D absorption can be hindered by caffeine. Additionally, caffeine has a slight diuretic effect, meaning that it increases the amount of water and salt exiled from the body as urine, so vitamins B and C, which are water soluble, are not fully absorbed. Therefore, it can be suggested that going caffeine free can lead to better absorption of nutrients.
In summary, it has been made clear that there are several health benefits of going caffeine free. However, it is also important to note that if you are thinking about switching to caffeine free alternatives, that you do this gradually if you are a regular consumer, to allow your body to adjust so that you don't experience negative effects.
