5 Ways Drinking Too Much Coffee Can Sabotage Your Health, According to Science
There are numerous health benefits associated with drinking coffee. But—as is the case with just about any food or beverage—there are some potentially ugly side effects of consuming too much of this caffeinated drink, as well.
Below, you'll learn five ways in which drinking too much coffee each day could potentially sabotage your overall health, especially in the short term. And then, don't miss 15 Underrated Weight Loss Tips That Actually Work!
You could experience…
Elevated stress levels
Many of us start our day with a cup—or several—of coffee. While that cup can do so many wonders for you at the start of your day, continuously drinking java throughout the day could progressively make you feel even more stressed. Cortisol, the stress hormone, is largely to blame for this reaction, and consuming large amounts of caffeine can cause your cortisol levels to rise.
In fact, one study from The Ohio State University revealed that caffeine caused blood pressure and norepinephrine— another hormone involved in stress regulation— levels to rise, even when participants were at rest.
Heartburn or acid reflux
In a recent research letter published by JAMA, one of the recommended lifestyle changes that you can make to lower your risk of gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)—the main symptoms of which are heartburn and acid reflux—is to cut back on java. If you're already prone to heartburn or acid reflux, it's especially wise to cap your coffee consumption at two cups.
Disrupted sleep
Do you ever take a fika, which more or less translates to a coffee break in Swedish, midday? While the concept of taking a break from your screen—or whatever your daily tasks may entail—is both healthy and necessary, drinking a caffeinated beverage late in the day could interfere with your ability to rest peacefully at night.
A 2013 study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine discovered that drinking caffeine up to six hours before bedtime can cost you about about an hour of sleep each night. Make sure to stop drinking coffee just after lunch in order to ensure you get a full night's rest. Also, don't miss The 5 Absolute Best Foods to Eat For Better Sleep.
Increased risk of migraines
If you already get migraines, drinking too much caffeine may be causing them to occur more frequently. For example, a study from the American Journal of Medicine—which asked 100 people with migraines to record how often they consume caffeinated beverages, such as coffee and energy drinks—revealed that the likelihood of someone having a migraine increased for those who drank at least three servings of caffeinated beverages daily. Another reason to just stop sipping on coffee after you've already had two cups!
Be sure to read Dangerous Side Effects of Drinking Coffee, According to Science.
Weight gain
The question is, how do you take your coffee? If you're ordering a Frappuccino on the regular, that can't be doing any favors for your waistline. For context, a grande Mocha Frappuccino at Starbucks made with whole milk clocks in at 370 calories.
For more, be sure to read 15 Ways to Break The Bad Eating Habits Behind Your Weight Gain.
