Hands up if that delicious cup of freshly brewed coffee is the driving force to getting you out of bed in the morning? Well maybe for some of us this is potentially making things worse for ourselves and our diminishing energy levels!
If you drink coffee and after a short period feel shaky, tired and generally a bit rubbish then maybe the following might shed some light.
We all have individual differences due to our unique genetic make-up. This in turn means we all respond differently to what we ingest. Everyone has a gene in their liver that can make the specific enzyme that is necessary to breakdown caffeine. Due to genetic differences some people have the enzyme that can breakdown caffeine quickly and some people have the enzyme that breaks down caffeine slowly.
People that possess the fast enzyme can see an improvement in their health when they drink 1-3 cups of coffee per day as the caffeine is eliminated from the body quickly and the good antioxidants are left behind to help fight against free radicals.
- Improved physical performance as caffeine increases the release of adrenaline the fight or flight hormone that prepares one for intense activity and can leave one feeling energetic and alert
- May reduce the risk of liver cancer
- Help protect against type 2 diabetes and Parkinson’s disease
People that possess the slow enzyme have a higher chance of experiencing health problems when drinking 1-3 cups of coffee per day as the caffeine lingers in the system for longer periods of time. Signs that maybe a little decaf or a caffeine free drink might be for you:
- Anxiety specifically if you are someone who suffers with an anxiety disorder
- Irritability
- Sleepiness (also insomnia in chronic consumption 500mg plus per day)
Caffeine is a drug, granted a sociably acceptable psychoactive drug like alcohol or nicotine but a drug all the same. It affects your brain chemistry, immune system and hormones so can really shake things up. It is not regulated and I think evident it is not for everyone. If you are reading this and are someone who is unwell, suffer from a hormonal imbalance, stressed out and fatigued then caffeine is not the drug required for your healing. Take a few moments before you purchase that cheeky latte on the way to work in the morning to browse the menu and maybe opt for decaffeinated green tea, mint tea or even just a simple bottle of mineral water.
By Louisa: @louisa3six5
Work Hard, Work Out!
