Coffee has become an essential part of daily life for many people; it acts as an energy booster, helps to improve concentration and alertness, and adds flavor and aroma to any situation. While coffee can have several beneficial effects, it also has its downfalls. From improved sleeps and better skin to significant changes in your physical and mental wellbeing, here’s an in-depth look at what happens when you stop drinking coffee.
Ongoing and chronic coffee drinkers may become accustomed to the stimulating effects of coffee, but giving it up can often provide several surprising health benefits. Since coffee acts as a diuretic, one of the first positive changes you’ll experience is increased hydration. This improved hydration can result in improved energy levels, better digestion and increased skin health.
Your mental wellbeing can be just as affected as your physical with quitting coffee. People who quit often report improved concentration, greater creativity and an improved sense of mood and happiness without the artificial lift provided by caffeine. Coping with withdrawal at first may be a challenge, but it also results in “nerve cell growth and improved signal transmission, leading to better cognitive functioning,” according to health and wellness expert Dr. Jennifer Stagg.
And there are studies that point to even more compelling benefits associated with quitting coffee. For example, a study in the British Medical Journal found that, “regular caffeine intake was significantly associated with increased risk of myocardial infarction.” Simply put, reducing caffeine intake reduces the risk of heart attacks.
Of course, quitting coffee is an individual decision: for some, the changes could be positive, while for others, certain symptoms such as headaches, anxiety, or irritability might arise as a result of reduced caffeine. To avoid these issues, health experts suggest reducing consumption gradually as to not overwhelm the body with dramatic changes. Those who are considering quitting coffee should ensure that they do it in a healthy way, and with support from a trusted medical professional if required.
Effects on Sleep Patterns
Getting off coffee can have a big impact on your sleep pattern—but not necessarily in the way that you might expect. Many coffee-drinkers will often find themselves waking up during the night, but this is likely because of the diuretic effects of coffee. By eliminating coffee from your daily routine, you should notice improved quality and quantity of sleep.
In addition, caffeine can linger in your body for hours, meaning it can be difficult to get to sleep after having coffee past mid-afternoon. This makes it more difficult for those who are sensitive to get to sleep and stay asleep through the night. By avoiding coffee in the late afternoon and evening, you may find that you sleep much more deeply.
Tommy Flanagan, a sleep specialist at Sleeplabs in Florida, points out that “it’s important to balance your caffeine consumption with other sleep hygiene practices,” such as setting up a regular sleep schedule and limiting tv and cell phone usage before bed. Flanagan also notes that avoiding caffeine will help you to get the highest quality sleep, so you can make sure that you’re “reaping all the rewards of proper sleep hygiene practices”.
Long-Term Benefits of Quitting
Perhaps the most prevalent long-term benefit of quitting coffee is an overall reduction of anxiety. As coffee drinkers become accustomed to the stimulation provided by regular coffee consumption, feelings of restlessness, impatience, and sometimes even irritability, can take over. Withdrawal from caffeine can reduce these feelings, and provide a sense of tranquility, allowing coffee-drinkers to gain control over their emotions.
Giving up coffee can also mean a greater focus on overall health and wellbeing. Since coffee contains phytochemicals and myriad other compounds, it can lead to a harmful buildup of toxins in your body over time. These toxins can be flushed from your system by drinking water, as well as by switching to healthier alternatives to coffee. By doing so, you can improve your physical and mental state, in addition to reducing the risk of certain illnesses.
Finally, one of the most rewarding effects of quitting coffee is increased energy and productivity. Many people need coffee to get through the day, but the opposite can be true in some cases. Consuming less caffeine can lead to improved natural energy levels and better performance in the long run.
Alternative Sources of Energy
For most people, quitting coffee isn’t easy—but there are plenty of wonderful alternatives that can provide similar benefits without the same drawbacks. Green tea, for example, contains weaker levels of caffeine than coffee, and also provides numerous beneficial compounds that can aid in reducing stress and improving mental alertness. Additionally, there are several natural, caffeine-free remedies for boosting energy, such as maca, guarana, and spirulina.
It’s also important to consider other lifestyle factors that can contribute to fatigue. Limiting processed foods and refined sugars, in particular, can make a profound difference to your energy levels. Plus, regular exercise can help to keep your energy up without the need for coffee; even just a few minutes each day can boost alertness and improve mood.
Medication and Caffeine Interactions
Quitting coffee can still be tricky in certain cases: if you are taking any prescription medications, for example, it’s important to research possible interactions with caffeine-containing beverages. Some medications require you to limit your caffeine intake, and a sudden change in lifestyle could cause an increase in the medication’s effects. It’s important to consult with a doctor before making any changes.
Also, bear in mind that caffeine addiction is a real problem that can affect your ability to quit altogether. If you are having a hard time quitting, it may be best to consult a doctor to discuss how to better manage symptoms and make quitting as simple as possible.
Making the Switch
Quitting coffee can be both challenging and rewarding. Before making any changes to your lifestyle, it’s important to consider the benefits and drawbacks, and decide if it’s the right decision for you. If you do choose to quit, it’s wise to do so gradually, and to utilize alternative sources of energy, such as green tea and natural supplements.
Giving up coffee doesn’t have to be difficult—take the time to find healthier alternatives and the transition will be much easier. With a few simple changes, you can start to reap the rewards of improved energy, sleeker skin and better moods in no time.
Common Misconceptions
Common misconceptions about quitting coffee increase the difficulty of making the switch. Contrary to popular belief, for example, black coffee is not necessarily bad for your health; in fact, some studies suggest it can even have mild health benefits when consumed in moderation.
Another common misconception is that giving up coffee will lead to weight gain; this isn’t necessarily true. Caffeine has been correlated with a decreased appetite, so cutting it out completely could lead to an increase in appetite. However, it’s important to maintain healthy foods in your diet and exercise regularly. Eating healthy and exercising can also improve energy and promote a healthy weight.
Finally, people may believe that giving up coffee will result in a lack of productivity; this isn’t necessarily true, either. Remember that natural sources of energy like healthy foods, exercise, and proper sleep will increase your productivity more than caffeine ever could. Plus, with the lack of caffeine-induced cortisol spikes, you’ll be able to approach tasks with more clarity, focus and creativity.
Summary of Health Effects
Overall, the health effects of quitting coffee can be significant. Reduced hydration, caffeine addiction, and the health risks of coffee consumption can all be prevented or reversed by reducing your intake. Additionally, improved sleep patterns, reduced anxiety, and liberated creativity are all possible benefits of quitting coffee.
To ensure that you reap the most rewards, it’s important to look at the big picture: maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly, keep your caffeine intake to a minimum but indulge in healthy alternatives, and be sure to carry out any changes in a gradual and supported manner.
