One of the favourite morning rituals most people follow includes savouring a cup of tea or coffee for an energy boost. While relishing every sip of our coffee or tea, even during any hour of the day, little do we realise that consuming too much caffeine could bring more harm to our health than good. Caffeine is surely addictive, but if you wish to kickstart your wellness journey, it’s about time that you quit caffeine. If you are struggling to give it up, here are some health benefits of quitting caffeine that may convince you!

What is caffeine?

Caffeine is a natural stimulant found in various plants, most commonly consumed in beverages like coffee, tea, energy drinks, and soft drinks like soda and cocoa. It can also be found in certain foods, medications, and supplements. Caffeine is also found in chocolates. Moderate consumption can enhance alertness and concentration and improve mood and excessive intake can lead to side effects such as insomnia, jitteriness, and increased heart rate, says celebrity nutritionist Nupuur Patil.

What are the side effects of caffeine consumption?

Excessive caffeine intake can affect your body in different ways.

1. It may cause anxiety

Caffeine is known to instantly give a boost of energy, thus increasing alertness. It does so by blocking the effect of adenosine, a brain chemical that gives you the feeling of fatigue or tiredness. Alongside, caffeine also stimulates the release of adrenaline, “the flight-or-fight” hormone that again gives you a boost of energy.
A high amount of caffeine consumption can leave you feeling anxious or nervous.

2. It may lead to Insomnia

One of the common reasons people consume caffeine in the morning or during the hours of the day is because of its gifted ability to help people stay awake. So, you might not feel surprised if caffeine consumed in any form before sleep is keeping you awake at night, making it hard to get restorative sleep.

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3. May lead to digestive issues

You might be noticing that a cup of coffee in the morning is making bowel movement easier for you. Coffee has a laxative effect on the stomach by stimulating the release of gastrin, a hormone found in our stomach that accelerates the activity in the colon. But for people suffering from issues like Irritable Bowel Syndrome, notice that their symptoms of diarrhoea or loose stools get aggravated after drinking coffee.

Health benefits of quitting caffeine

Now that you know the side effects of having caffeine, here are some health benefits of quitting caffeine, as explained by Nupuur Patil.

1. Less anxiety

Excess caffeine consumption can give birth to a vicious cycle of heightened anxiety and reliance on caffeine to cope. By committing to quit caffeine, you can break free from this cycle, and experiment with other ways to deal with your stress. With time, caffeine withdrawal symptoms that also cause anxiety tend to fade.

2. Better absorption of nutrients in the body

Quitting caffeine makes room for better absorption of nutrients like calcium, needed for stronger bones and teeth, and iron, essential for transporting oxygen in the blood. Caffeine hinders the absorption of these essential nutrients in the body.

3. White and healthy teeth

Caffeine can cause tooth discolouration over time. Caffeine is usually found in dark beverages that contain certain compounds that easily stick to our teeth, causing stains that are hard to get rid of. Quitting caffeine can prevent this issue of staining, leading to a brighter smile.

Alongside this, the issue of dry mouth, caused due to caffeine, leads to reduced saliva production. Saliva is essential for neutralizing harmful acids and guarding your teeth. A dry mouth makes us more prone to the risk of cavities and gum diseases. Quitting caffeine encourages a better flow of saliva, thereby protecting your oral health.

4. Better hormone balance in women

Consuming caffeine can excessively stimulate the adrenal glands which can lead to hormonal imbalance in women. So, quitting caffeine can help restore hormonal equilibrium. This could mean regulated menstrual cycles, less stress and improved overall well-being in women.

5. Improved sleep

Caffeine is known to target the brain, causing you to be more alert. It can also affect brain functions such as sleep. It can make it hard for you to unwind and relax. Quitting caffeine can lead to improved sleep quality. You’ll be able to slip into a good night’s sleep without caffeine-induced jitters or late-night alertness.

How much caffeine is safe in a day?

The recommended safe limit for caffeine intake is generally considered to be around 400 milligrams per day for most adults. There are other effective ways to get energy without caffeine.

You should be aware about the drinks that contain caffeine, and restrict their consumption in your diet. You should also know about the medical conditions and medicines that caffeine does not complement, in order to avoid health complications.