I swear this post is just as much for me as it is for you. I’ve been trying to scale back for a while by drinking matcha tea over coffee but I’ve been going overboard on that even. So I’m writing this for myself as much as I am for you! I’ve been switching it up a little bit more lately and drinking some almond milk lattes when I’m out and about which gives me about 130-150 mg of caffeine. But if you are a straight coffee drinker, did you know that a grande coffee from Starbucks will give you around 360 mg?! If you are a two cup a day person, then you will want to keep reading.

I’m well aware of some of the obvious reasons why caffeine isn’t great for me but I needed to dig a little deeper to get me to nix the caffeine. When my head understands what’s going on in my body, it’s much easier for me to make long-term changes.

Let’s start with some of the obvious reasons to cut back on caffeine.

Insomnia

We know that if we have the cup of coffee after a certain time in the afternoon then we’re going to have a hell of a time getting to bed at night. That time frame is different for everyone but I’m sure you’ve already got this one figured out by now. We roll around frustrated AF and barter with the devil to take your soul tomorrow if you could just GO…TO…SLEEP.

Rapid heart rate

This is more on the excessive intake side but it can really get the heart rate up into unhealthy levels which some of you may have experienced in college. Nothing like drinking a pot of coffee to cram for finals then feeling like your heart is going to explode. Some of us may be repeating this now in adulthood because we’re working on a project deadline, living on zero sleep because we have two sick kids that have been up yakking all night, or you put off that thing (wrapping holiday presents, party preparations, packing for a trip—guilty of all three!) until the last minute so you are guzzling coffee like it’s your job. Cue the heart palpitations.

Addictive

What isn’t these days? Many of us know what happens when we stop drinking coffee for a couple days…the most annoying headaches EVER, second only to migraines. Our body begins to rely on it so when we cut back, it ain’t happy. So we drink a cup or two to shut her up only to get sucked right back into the caffeine vortex.

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So noooow, let’s talk about some things that you may not know are happening to your body with an unhealthy amount of caffeine.

Can reduce fertility

It can reduce fertility by 27% because it messes with the muscle contraction process of the fallopian tubes, not allowing the egg to get in proper place for conception.

Worsens menopause symptoms

Caffeine can make a negative impact on vasomotor symptoms in menopause which are usually described as night sweats, hot flashes, and flushes.

Causes GERD

There are studies that show that caffeine consumption inhibits the lower esophageal sphincter that keeps our food and stomach acid from climbing back up our throat. If you are dealing with acid reflux or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), quit the caffeine and you may be able to stop the antacids as well!

Inhibits collagen and DNA production

Womenfolk, sisters, lady friends, listen up! This is the one that kicked me in the saggy jowls so prepare yourselves. Caffeine negatively impacts the biosynthesis of collagen. Yes, you heard me. Collagen, the dominant protein in the body that affects the structural integrity (elasticity and durability) of many organs, including skin, bones, cartilage, and tendons, gets a kick in the tricep skin flap when you go crazy on caffeine.

So what does this mean exactly? Healthy cell production is necessary to heal wounds and keep your organs high and tight. You may be thinking, “Oh, I’m fine. I take a hyaluronic acid supplement to keep my collagen up.” Guess what? That is a huge waste of money because studies show that it does nothing to protect collagen production when caffeine is present.

As if that’s not enough, caffeine keeps your cells from dividing like they are supposed to. This constant cell division is what keeps us healthy and from aging faster. New cells mean new body. Old cells mean old body. Capiche?

In short, if you want your skin to stay elastic and hold steady rather than slide toward your toes at a rapid descent, your organs to shape up, and your DNA from heading to the old folks home prematurely, caffeine needs to go.

Causes anxiety

This one is a little harder unless you’ve had genetic testing but people with a certain genetic predisposition may be prone to anxiety attacks when they consume caffeine. It is called A2a receptor gene that is responsible for this reaction to caffeine and genetic testing may help you figure this one out. But before investing in a test, I would nix the caffeine if I’m feeling super anxious and see what happens. You just may eliminate one of the causes of your anxiety and feel much better for the sacrifice!

Studies showed that just 150 mg of caffeine (that’s what is in a medium latte) can set off anxiety for people with this genetic imprint.

What to keep in mind

Don’t forget there is caffeine in foods, too. It all adds up. Soda, chocolate ice cream, cocoa flavored cereals, chocolate bars, coffee flavored yogurt…it all adds up.

WAnt Better choices for the energy boost?

• Inhale or diffuse peppermint essential oil or drink peppermint tea

• Drink a green juice (look for 5-8 g or less of sugar per serving) or use a greens powder daily

• Use Cordyceps mushroom powder in foods or as a drink (try Four Sigmatic)

• Rhodiola herb supplement

• Take your B Vitamins

• Drink more water

• Use Maca powder (great for adrenal support)

• Exercise (gets heart rate up, boosts endorphins, and helps with better sleep)

For the love of all that is holy, stop drinking energy drinks. They had their moment in history, just like spiral perms, and now we know better. Eat the stupid salad instead.

I don’t need anything else in my life to make my skin sag, give me anxiety, bring on menopause symptoms or make my heart race…every day life does a pretty good job of that already.

Anyone else dumping out your coffee right now? Yeah, me too.

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