The secret to a happy life is moderation. Coffee is an absolute essential to some people – to them, a day without it does not exist. Nonetheless, like other things in life, there is only so much coffee your body can handle in a day.
Drink the right amount, and it will boost your health. Drink an excess amount, and it will put your health at risk. This article will briefly discuss the healthy and unhealthy ways to consume coffee. [If you want to learn about best Ethiopian coffee brands, click here!] guide.
What Happens if you Drink Too Much Coffee?
In reference to a study in the Journal of Food and Chemical Toxicology, too much coffee constitutes anything above 400mg of the beverage a day. Alternatively, that adds up to four 8 oz. coffee cups. In addition, the contents of the coffee as well as the concentration of caffeine in it, matter.
Two individuals enjoying an 8-ounce cup of coffee may be consuming different levels of caffeine and other substances. Taking excess coffee containing other compounds like alcohol, sugar, flavorings, or cream increases health risks.
Exceeding the 400mg of coffee recommendation in a day could lead to various health complications like:
- Hypertension (high blood pressure), which is the harbinger of cardiovascular diseases
- Increased breathing and heart rate
- Irregular heartbeats
- Nervousness
- Nausea
- Headache
- Insomnia
- Ringing in the ears
- Stomach issues
- Agitation
- Vomiting
- Restlessness
- Anxiety
Evidently, the most critical among the above health complications are cardiovascular illnesses, which, according to the WHO (World Health Organization) is the number one cause of death globally – taking lives every 12 minutes.
Moreover, the caffeine in coffee may react with certain medications, leading to unwanted symptoms. The prescriptions accompanying such medications will warn against mixing them with coffee. You should heed such warnings, or when your doctor mentions the same.
Also, like alcohol, people have different tolerance levels for coffee; decaf exists for a reason. Some people rarely ingest caffeine due to their bodies ability to handle it. Meaning their bodies are not used to the substance, which makes them hypersensitive to its presence in their system.
People who cannot handle coffee are more likely to experience its adverse effects and may prefer to consume drinks lower in caffeine, such as teas.
The Health Benefits to Drinking Coffee
There is a reason coffee is a favorite beverage for many and even doctors recommend it for some patients. Taken moderately, coffee: Prevents certain illnesses like coronary heart disease, kidney issues, diabetes, or stroke.
It also enables your body to process sugar better, it prevents heart failure, it is good for your liver, strengthens your DNA and discourages the development of colon cancer.
There are quite a few benefits for consuming the proper amount of coffee in a day. A major benefit to keep in mind is that it decreases one’s chances of developing Alzheimer’s Disease. With that fact out in the open it sure makes coffee taste that much better.
In Brief
Coffee has many benefits besides waking you up in the morning, keeping you alert, and maintaining your focus while doing your daily tasks. Most of the benefits it brings to the table revolve around your health.
Nonetheless, it also introduces some health risks, most of which, will only manifest if the beverage is abused.. When consumed in excess, it will turn against you and a best friend suddenly becomes one of your worst enemies. When consumed responsibly it can help your body function at an optimal level.
