Squeezing The Juice on Coffee

Good quality coffee has its benefits, but it can also harm our health when overconsumed and if we rely on it to boost energy. Let’s get right into it!

Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in the world. There are coffee shops found pretty much on every corner! You might have even heard the phrase "coffee break" at workplaces and deem it a productivity booster. But have you wondered if coffee is benefiting you and what coffee essentially does to our health and well-being? Let's gain some insight, shall we?

I believe that for many of us, it is the ritual of that freshly brewed cup of coffee aroma in the morning that sparks joy. Contributing to the reason that many people struggle with giving up or decreasing their coffee consumption. Is your reason for drinking coffee for energy? Then get in touch with me! There are many other ways to increase energy production that do not include coffee or have you relying on it.

Did you know that caffeine is a stimulant drug and coffee has an anti-depressant effect that pushes out certain feelings and emotions while giving you that adrenaline? Therefore, the body cannot regulate or cope with emotions, leading you to be in a constant sympathetic (fight or flight) mode. This stimulant can contribute to anxiety affecting your central nervous system. Now, that boost of energy (adrenaline) that coffee provides is also partly why we feel pressured to be in (highly glorified) chase-rush mode. In conclusion, we begin to become dependent on coffee. Ultimately, suppress our feelings instead of learning to cope with them and self-regulate our emotions in order to enhance mood stability naturally. Coffee can also increase blood pressure and aggravate digestion disorders such as GERD and IBS. For some of us, our liver spends a lot more resources and energy excreting caffeine. For some, caffeine may trigger unwanted thyroid symptoms.

A cup of coffee as your first drink or “meal” of the day can affect your hormones. The caffeine in coffee enters the bloodstream and is quickly absorbed into the body. It can cause a spike in cortisol (stress hormone) that turns into a blood sugar spike. Many coffee drinkers experience a crash which can cause jitters, leaving them to reach for another cup. Does this sound familiar to you?

So have you asked yourself if coffee fits your lifestyle and do you need it at all?

What are the benefits of drinking coffee?

• Coffee is known to be rich in antioxidants

• Neuroprotective

• Temporarily increase metabolism and the release of adrenaline.

• Due to its antioxidant properties, it is suggested to support longevity

What are the pros of reducing or parting from your relationship with coffee?

• Reduced anxiety and overstimulation

• Increased mood stability

• An improved and regulated nervous system

• Natural energy experience

• Good quality-restful sleep

• Self-regulated emotions

• Release the pressure to be constantly hyper-productive

• Improved + Support Thyroid function

• Regulated hormone levels

• Improved digestion

• Improved metabolic health

Coffee Alternatives.

These continue to be in my rotation and part of my journey to having a balanced relationship with coffee.

• Dandelion Tea or Dandy Blend

• Four Sigmatic Mushroom Elixir

• Matcha

• Green Tea

I choose to have an occasional cup because sometimes I want to experience the ceremony of freshly brewed coffee. It is no longer about relying on coffee or thinking that my body needs it to function or mindlessly consuming coffee out of a default habit. I love to elevate my coffee with chaga, maca, collagen, protein powder, coconut milk, or nut milk. Sometimes I like to make a smoothie blend using chia seeds, freshly brewed coffee, coconut butter, and desired milk options.

Ways to elevate your health and still enjoy a cup of coffee:

• Drink a tall glass of filtered room-temperature water in the morning (adding a little lemon juice or minerals) to kickstart your digestion, and opt for a nutritious breakfast before your coffee.

• Not a breakfast person? Wait about 90 minutes after waking up and having had water to drink your coffee. Allow your body to rid (flush) toxins and support stable blood sugar and cortisol levels.

• If you feel the need to have a second cup midafternoon, opt for matcha or tea. Reaching for a second or third cup of coffee, especially past noon can lead to hormonal imbalances.

• Stay hydrated throughout the day since coffee can dehydrate you.

• Source a high-quality coffee, high in antioxidants and organic when possible.

• Change up your routine and mix it up with other alternatives.

• Jazz up your coffee by adding a source of healthy fat, good-quality collagen, or a dash of Ceylon cinnamon or monk fruit for a little sweetness.

The energy is never released and stays with us until we fully allow ourselves to feel. Perhaps bring some mindfulness to your morning coffee ritual. Take notes and become aware of how you feel before, during, and after drinking coffee. Ask yourself if you are doing it for pleasure or for the need to compensate for something. In that case, the body will not benefit from this, and it can wreak havoc on your health over time.

The decision to reduce your coffee consumption or eliminate coffee from your life is entirely up to you. Do what is best for your health and stick with rituals that support your well-being. Self-discovery is always encouraged. Examine your relationship with coffee and allow the body's natural wisdom to speak to you.

I would love to know your thoughts below. Do you love coffee, and do any of the insights I have shared resonate with you?