Over 1 billion people worldwide use coffee as a fuel to get them through the day according to Drive research. But that daily cup, or maybe more, brings in the potential to harm one’s body more than it helps it.
While coffee lovers swear by its endless benefits, research shows caffeine is not all that it seems. So before the next cup of coffee, it’s worth thinking if it is truly a harmless benefit or an unhealthy crutch with hidden consequences.
According to the National Institute of Health, consuming caffeinated drinks stimulates the nervous system causing the body to produce and release adrenaline that makes people feel overly anxious or nervous.
Individuals often feel the overwhelming need to use the bathroom after drinking coffee. Research by Michigan Medicine states coffee stimulants increase gut motility which means muscles will contract, propelling the contents of the gastrointestinal tract. Essentially, this may lead to loose stools or diarrhea contributing to dehydration.
While drinking coffee may seem like an innocent habit and a help to being awake and energized, it is similar to a mild drug dependency. According to the Addiction Center, people develop dependence on coffee and other caffeinated beverages more quickly compared to other drinks. This is because caffeine causes chemical changes in the brain, staying for a long period. If someone drinks caffeine daily, they develop a tolerance similar to drugs and alcohol.
For those looking for a reduction in caffeine retake, there are plenty of alternatives that provide a natural energy boost without the potential downside of caffeine dependence. According to Health, matcha is just as fatigue fighting as coffee, but without the downside of the anxious and jittery tendencies. Although matcha has but a significantly less amount than an average cup of coffee.
Coffee not only affects the body internally but has environmental consequences. As stated by Carbon Click, producing even one pound of coffee, emits about 11 pounds of carbon emissions. In the United States alone, 50 billion coffee cups are disposed of annually, many of which are non-recyclable leading to an increase in waste.
While coffee isn’t inherently evil, it could have its perks for any given individual. However, the idea that it is harmless is misleading. Cutting back or opting for alternatives like matcha and other types of tea might be the key to breaking the harmful cycle of caffeine.
