Starbucks, Coffee Bean, Peet’s ... the list of places for a quick caffeine fix is long and doesn’t stop there, but it has become increasingly easy to grab a coffee on-the-go wherever you are. I’m sure that many of you have a cup of joe or two a day, or if you’re anything like me, you’ll have even more just to get through a busy day. If I’m a little tired or even feeling a bit hungry, I’ll grab an iced latte or something tasty to hold over until my next meal.
However, recently, my doctor told me that my coffee habits were really unhealthy and I needed to stop. Having more than two cups a day can really affect your health. Caffeine in moderation is good and has proven to be beneficial for people’s health. You’re more alert with a bit of caffeine, and it definitely helps you get out of bed in the morning. But too much of a good thing can turn sour very quickly and caffeine is one of those things. Consuming over 500 to 600 mL can cause problems with your heart, insomnia, restlessness--all things we are aware that happen but are never too cautious about. We have all experienced, I’m sure, some sort of effect from caffeine during finals week when we are staying up all night trying to get an assignment done. I never thought about the consequences of that until recently when I started eating healthier, I saw that the effects of caffeine were more prominent.
I cut out coffee from my diet a while ago but started drinking it again. I immediately saw my body react differently than it used to after just one Americano. I definitely felt alert, but it bordered a weird, wired sensation that could only be attributed to too much caffeine. Although in the past I was so used to caffeine that I never felt these effects. I was restless and jittery. After just one bad experience, I have been cautious and never drink more coffee than I need to. Even lattes, or anything diluted, can cause these problems, and what’s more is that there is so much sugar (even sweeteners!) in these drinks that our insulin levels spike, which isn’t good for our bodies.
If you’re a heavy caffeine drinker, consider talking to a doctor about your habits. Maybe for your body the amount you are consuming is okay because bodies all react differently to caffeine, but maybe it won’t be, like in my case. Of course, don’t be afraid to get yourself a nice iced latte when you need it--just take it all in moderation for optimal health.
By: Michelle Chang | Image and Source: 1, 2
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