Many of us find ourselves feeling sick and nauseous after drinking coffee, especially if the beverage is particularly strong or the amount taken is excessive. The cause of this feeling of nausea is the high concentration of caffeine, which, although it gives us a pleasant buzz, can also lead to uncomfortable side-effects. There’s more to this caffeine-induced sickness than meets the eye and it’s important that we understand why it happens so we can make better-informed decisions about our coffee habits, as well as explore safer alternatives.
It all comes down to how caffeine affects the body. When introduced to the system, it acts as an antagonist to a neurotransmitter called adenosine, which is responsible for drowsiness. In other words, the caffeine finds the adenosine molecules and blocks them from sending tiring signals to the brain.
This causes us to feel alert, however our body still retains a certain level of adenosine despite this blocking effect. This backlogged adenosine can be released as a result of withdrawal symptoms, leading to feelings of intense tiredness and nausea.
Nausea is particularly prominent in coffee drinkers due to the amount of caffeine they regularly consume. People who rarely or never drink coffee are more likely to suffer from the feeling because their bodies are not habituated to the caffeine; their brains are particularly sensitive to the blocking effect.
Coffee contains a variety of other chemicals, including acids, which may also be responsible for feelings of nausea. The two most common acids in coffee are chlorogenic and quinic acid, which are responsible for the bitter taste. When coffee is overconsumed, these acids throw off the balance in our stomach, leading to feelings of sickness.
Additionally, the amount of sugar and milk in the coffee can also contribute to nausea, depending on the individual in question. Some of us are sensitive to milk and sugar, meaning that when we introduce them to our systems, our bodies struggle to cope and start to reject them, leading to feelings of sickness.
However, it’s not all doom and gloom. Although coffee can have nauseating effects if consumed in too high doses, it also has many positive benefits. For example, regular coffee drinkers may find they can remain more alert and attentive than those who don’t drink it, as the caffeine causes their brains to remain stimulated.
What’s more, drinking coffee can provide much-needed energy boosts in the morning, often preventing people from feeling bleary-eyed or sleepy when they wake up. Finally, it helps to improve our cognitive performance, allowing us to complete tasks more effectively and with greater speed. Coffee can be a very useful pick-me-up.
It’s important, though, that we are aware of the risks we run when consuming coffee. Caffeine can be addictive and if overconsumed will lead to feelings of sickness and nausea. We should be aware of our own tolerance levels and adjust our own intake accordingly, as this will help to avoid any negative symptoms.
We should also seek out other caffeine sources if possible, such as tea, which has a lower level of caffeine and thus, is less likely to induce nausea if consumed in the same quantities as coffee. In the end, it’s best to find a balance that suits us.
Exploring Other Alternatives
If we’re looking for caffeine-free options that still provide us with the necessary energy boosts, there are many adequate alternatives. For example, instead of coffee we could choose to drink matcha green tea, which has been celebrated by Asian cultures for centuries. It contains less caffeine than coffee, yet has amazing energy-boosting powers due largely to the presence of an amino acid called L-theanine, which has calming and alerting effects.
Similarly, guarana is a Brazilian berry that’s extremely popular for its energizing and concentration-enhancing abilities. The berry contains high levels of a particular type of caffeine called guaranine, which is much slower to absorb in the system and therefore, causes fewer side-effects than other forms of caffeine.
Finally, there are the herbs. Plants like ginseng, cayenne pepper and ashwagandha are brimming with healthy compounds like antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, which can help with energy production over the long-term and minimize feelings of nausea.
Making it Sustainable
If we are to continue drinking coffee, there are certain measures we can take to ensure our health and well-being. Firstly, it’s important that we educate ourselves on the various types of coffee and the different methods of brewing them. Different beans and roasts can evoke different reactions from us, so it’s important to know what will suit us best.
It’s also important that we monitor our intake. Instead of drinking a large cup of coffee every day, we could opt for something more moderate like one espresso per day or two–three cups of filter coffee (depending on strength). This will ensure that our tolerance levels remain the same.
Additionally, it’s important that we make sure we have some sort of food in our stomach before consuming coffee, as this will help to further dissolve the acids while reducing the amount of caffeine our systems absorb. And finally, once again, if we’re struggling to stick to these measures, or are feeling overwhelmed, there are plenty of caffeine-free options we can explore.
Addressing the Symptoms
Should we experience nausea after drinking coffee, it’s important to be aware of the ways in which we can alleviate the symptoms. Staying hydrated is key, as this will help to flush out any excess caffeine circulating in the system. It’s also important to introduce some form of physical activity into our daily routines; light exercise like yoga or stretching can help to balance out our brain chemistry and lessen feelings of sickness.
Finally, if we find ourselves struggling to cope, we should seek medical advice, as nausea could be a sign of something more serious that requires urgent attention.
The Long-Term Benefits of Coffee
Although there are measures we can take to minimize the effects of coffee-induced nausea, there are also many long-term advantages to our caffeine intake. One of the major benefits of regular coffee consumption is that it can help to protect us against the development of type 2 diabetes.
This is because coffee and its antioxidants help to maintain stable blood sugar levels, reducing our risk of developing this disease. Some studies have even found that those who drink between one and three cups of coffee a day are less likely to suffer from High-Blood Pressure and heart issues.
It turns out, then, that coffee-induced nausea is only one side-effect in an otherwise healthy beverage. With moderated intake and an awareness of potential risks, we can safely enjoy the benefits of this energizing drink without the fear of feeling sick.
Tackling Nausea with Healthy Alternatives
If we are looking for a healthy way to counter nausea and other coffee-related side-effects, there are many natural options to explore. Eating fruits like oranges and bananas can help to restore electrolytes in the body, while Vitamin C-rich foods like blueberries and strawberries can aid digestion, helping to ease feelings of sickness. Additionally, ginger is renowned for its anti-nausea properties and can be consumed in many ways, while some people find that the smell of peppermint is a calming and nausea-inducing antidote.
Another way to reduce nausea is to practice mindful breathing. Taking deep breaths, expanding the belly and exhaling through the mouth allows us to remove any toxic energies and calm the stomach, often negating the effects of nausea. This type of practice also helps to improve our mental clarity, allowing us to better manage our stress and anxiety levels.
Finally, sleep is a great way to restore our bodies, reduce stress levels and reduce feelings of nausea. Getting into a regular sleep pattern and ensuring that we get between seven and nine hours a night can reduce emotions, allowing the body to regain its equilibrium and negate feelings of nausea.
listening to our Bodies
At the end of the day, it’s important that we listen to our own bodies and be aware of what works for us and what doesn’t. Taking the time to understand why coffee makes us feel sick, how it affects us and what our individual tolerance levels are is essential if we are to continue consuming it wisely.
It’s also important to explore the many natural ways in which we can reduce any negative symptoms caused by coffee. From mindful breathing to consuming foods rich in Vitamins and minerals, there are many natural remedies that can help us cope with nausea, as well as many naturally caffeinated beverages that may be better suited to our individual needs.
