Caffeine.... An insidious love.
Just found out something this week! In addition to Women’s History Month, March is Caffeine Awareness Month. Hah! Who would have thought?
In the spirit of women’s wellness, I figured I would take this opportunity to share some gems about caffeine.
So why’s caffeine important to mention?
Caffeine is a mild stimulant. It temporarily blocks a chemical in your body, called adenosine (adenosine promotes sleepiness and muscle fatigue). As caffeine blocks adenosine, it can give you an energy boost. Also caffeine has been shown to boost another neurotransmitter called dopamine (dopamine causes you to feel more alert, and experience feelings of motivation and pleasure).
Caffeine does have its benefits beyond being an energy booster. Studies suggest it may lower your risk of diabetes, Parkinson’s, support gut health, benefit heart health and enhance mood.
I want to bring this to light: if you consume too much caffeine (Per the FDA and Mayo Clinic, that’s more than 400 mg/day) it can be harmful. For a frame of reference, that’s 400 mg of caffeine is about 4 cups of coffee.
It’s also suggested that if you’re pregnant or are trying to become pregnant and those who are breast-feeding should talk with their doctors about limiting caffeine use to less than 200 mg daily.
What’s the harm?
It can cause dehydration.
It can cause sleep problems.
It can trigger irregular heart rhythms.
It can cause stomach issues, (like delayed digestion and gastric ulcers).
It can exacerbate any anxiety or panic attacks.
It can even intensify PMS.
Do you think you’re drinking more caffeine than you should?
Have you built a tolerance to caffeine?
Have you experienced headache, sweating, muscles pain, tension/anxiousness if you haven’t drank something with caffeine in it? You may be experiencing withdrawal. Consider cutting back and finding alternatives to coffee:
A key strategy to keep in mind: cut back on your caffeine sources slowly to avoid symptoms of withdrawal. Studies have referenced decreasing your consumption of caffeine over the course of a month.
So you must be wondering: “What can I drink as substitute?”
Here are some alternatives
Do you find yourself seeking an Energy Boost?
Homemade hot cocoa with cacao powder: Cacao powder is high in antioxidants, magnesium and is a natural way to provide energy to your body when feeling fatigue.
Pomegranate juice : A great alternative to caffeine. It’s hydrating and has enough natural sugars to give you an energy boost.
Smoothies: Pack in veggies and fruits (low in sugar) into a drink to give you a mobile way to have an energy drink without the crash.
Do you just want something to drink that’s just tasty and serves your body right?
A glass of water: Sometimes your body may be dehydrated and manifest as fatigue. water can provide the boost from a sluggish state.
Herbal tea-rooibos or chai tea: Caffeine free and support your energy levels with herbal effects to aid mood and gut health.
Adaptogenic teas/drinks: A caffeine-free alternative that are usually include ingredients like have ginseng or ashwagandha that help with energy, mood, immune system and stress management.
Experiment! Try out some of these and see what works for you and what doesn’t.
Cheers,
Val
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