The Link Between Drinking Coffee and Coughing
Drinking coffee could cause coughing in some people. Caffeine has been linked to coughing in many scientific studies, so there is a scientific reason why coffee could be making you cough. In this article, we’ll explore the relationship between drinking coffee and coughing to find out why it might be happening.
Coffee Caffeine Content
Coffee contains an abundant amount of caffeine which can cause a number of physical and mental effects. The caffeine content of coffee varies depending on the type of beans and roast. Generally, the darker the roast, the lower the caffeine content – though the type of caffeine found in dark roasts tends to be more quickly absorbed than lighter roasts.
Caffeine has been linked to coughing, as it can act as a stimulant to the airways. In particular, coffee has been linked to a particular type of cough called ‘barometric cough’. This type of cough is caused by the sudden change in barometric pressure that occurs when you drink a hot beverage like coffee.
Potential Side Effects of Caffeine
In addition to causing coughing, caffeine can also have other side effects. It can cause increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, palpitations, anxiety, nervousness, insomnia, and even irritability. In some cases, these side effects can be quite severe and even life-threatening if consumed in excess.
So it is important to be aware of the potential side effects of drinking coffee and if you are having any of the above symptoms, you should talk to your doctor or healthcare professional before continuing to drink coffee.
Health Benefits of Drinking Coffee
Despite the potential side effects, coffee does have some health benefits. It is a great source of antioxidants, which can help protect the body from free radical damage. It can also increase focus and alertness, and can help reduce stress levels.
Regular coffee drinkers also appear to have a lower risk of certain types of cancer, and coffee has been linked to a reduction in the risk of liver disease. Coffee can also help protect against type 2 diabetes and neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
Determining Whether Coffee Makes You Cough
The best way to determine if coffee is causing your coughing is to try to limit your coffee intake and see if your coughing improves. If you continue to have coughing episodes even when reducing your coffee intake, then that’s a good indication that there may be another cause of your coughing.
If caffeine is the cause of your coughing, then it’s possible that switching to decaf or cutting down on your coffee intake could help. Some people find that drinking cold or iced coffee can lessen the chance of developing a barometric cough.
Managing Caffeine Intake
If you’re worried about your caffeine intake, then there are some strategies you can implement to help reduce your consumption. For example, you could switch to decaffeinated coffee and cut down on your intake of other caffeinated drinks like tea and energy drinks. You could also avoid drinking coffee in the late afternoon, as this is when caffeine can be more likely to affect sleep.
Finally, if you are concerned about your caffeine consumption, then it is important to talk to your doctor or healthcare professional. They will be able to help you set a safe caffeine limit based on your individual needs.
Prevention of Barometric Coughs While Drinking Coffee
Barometric coughs are often caused by drinking a hot beverage like coffee. To prevent the onset of a barometric cough, it is important to drink coffee slowly and at a cooler temperature. If you are prone to barometric coughs, then drinking cold or iced coffee could be beneficial. The colder temperature means that your airways are not as likely to be stimulated, lowering the risk of coughing.
It is also important to avoid adding anything to your coffee that could trigger a reaction. Dairy in particular is one of the most common triggers of a barometric cough, as dairy proteins are notorious for triggering allergic and inflammatory reactions in the airways.
Natural Alternatives to Coffee
If you are looking for an alternative to coffee, then there are a number of natural options available. Drinking herbal teas such as peppermint or ginger tea can provide similar stimulant effects to coffee without the risk of causing coughing.
Other natural alternatives include matcha, guayusa, and yerba mate – all of which are caffeinated drinks but with much lower levels of caffeine compared to coffee. These drinks can still provide the same pick-me-up effects, but without the risk of triggering symptoms like coughing.
Coffee Extract as an Alternative
Coffee extract is also a good alternative for those who don’t want to drink coffee. Coffee extract is made from boiling water and coffee grounds, and then the liquid is filtered to remove all the solids. Coffee extract contains much less caffeine than coffee, but still provides a mild stimulant effect.
It can be used as a substitute for coffee in baking, smoothies and other drinks. Coffee extract can also be used to make a hot drink similar to coffee, but with less caffeine. This makes it a good option for those wanting to enjoy the taste of coffee without the risks associated with drinking too much caffeine.
Decaffeinated Coffee and its Benefits
Decaffeinated coffee is also a good option if you are worried about your caffeine intake. Decaffeinated coffee is made by removing the caffeine from regular coffee. The process is usually achieved through water extraction, steam treatment, or chemical solvents.
Decaffeinated coffee still retains most of the other flavour compounds, providing a similar taste and aroma to regular coffee. It is also a healthier option as it does not contain any caffeine.
Final Thoughts
It is clear that drinking coffee can cause coughing in some people. However, the link is not clear cut and there may be other causes of coughing that need to be explored. Reducing or eliminating caffeine from your diet may help reduce coughing, but it is important to speak to your doctor or healthcare professional if you are experiencing coughing episodes to rule out any other underlying causes.
There are also a number of natural alternatives that can provide similar stimulating effects to coffee but without the risk of triggering coughing. Finally, decaffeinated coffee is a healthier option that still provides a great taste and aroma.
