Most of us rely on a cup of coffee to get us going in the morning or to boost our energy levels throughout the working day. The UK consumes a shocking 95 million cups of coffee a day! But caffeine does a lot more than just keep us awake…
Caffeine is a stimulant that activates the central nervous system and effects your body in numerous ways. Caffeine can be found in coffee, tea, fizzy drinks, cocoa, energy drinks and different types of medication. Low consumption of caffeine won’t negatively impact your health. However, high doses ingested can be bad for you.
Makes you tired for workMost people drink caffeine to help keep them awake. However, little do they know it disrupts your sleep quality by making it difficult to fall asleep. Caffeine delays the timing of your body clock. Therefore, reduces your total sleep time and reduces the amount of deep sleep you enjoy. People should try to avoid consuming caffeine later in the day. Because the effects can take several hours to wear off and it will remain in your system for an average of five hours.
Causes unhealthy withdrawal symptomsPeople can become physically dependent on caffeine. Thus, with the absence or reduction of coffee consumption in their system caffeine withdrawal symptoms can begin. For people who consume large amounts of caffeine on a daily basis can experience several hours of psychological or physical withdrawal symptoms. Caffeine withdrawal can trigger headaches, fatigue, drowsiness, depression, irritability, concentration difficulties, nausea and vomiting.
Impacts your heart healthCaffeine can cause a rapid heartbeat. Especially, for people who are prone to anxiety this may increase the likelihood of panic reactions. The modest consumption of coffee can lead to rapid breathing and increased stress levels. A faster heart rate can result in an altered heartbeat rhythm. Furthermore, this has been found in young people who drink energy drinks. The acidity in certain caffeinated products can also cause heartburn.
Results in digestive issuesA morning cup of coffee can help get your bowels moving. However, too much of it and coffee can act as a laxative causing diarrhoea. It is also believed to worse gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in some people. As it relaxes the muscle that keeps stomach contents from moving up into the throat. It can also case indigestion as the blood supply to the intestines is decreased and as a result digestion can be slowed.
Increases urination frequencyA high caffeine intake can increase the amounts of time you need to urinate. This is due to the compound’s stimulatory effects on the bladder. Drinking high levels of caffeine frequently may create a growth in bladder instability. It is a worse the risk for those already experiencing bladder problems.
