Cut out coffee anyone ☕ ?

You should drink 3 - 4 cups of coffee for the good of your health! From an article in a medical journal (MEDSCAPE) entitled, "More than just a hill of beans: the health effects of coffee": "*All-Cause Mortality*
The last decade has seen convincing data from several large-scale population analyses that drinking coffee reduces all-cause mortality. This association has been reported by investigators in Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and is apparent even after stratifying for ethnicity.
A 2019 meta-analysis found that coffee consumption's mortality reducing effects occurred even after accounting for risk factors such as smoking and alcohol use, age, and weight status. Benefits are observed in those consuming up to 8 cups of coffee a day, regardless of whether it was caffeinated or decaffeinated, instant or ground, or consumed by people with genetic polymorphisms coding for slower or faster caffeine metabolism."
It outlines the main benefits: reduction of diabetes; cardiovascular health, reduction of several cancers, reduction of liver disease, improvement of low mood. In other words, if we didn't have this readily available anti-inflammatory anti-oxidant drug readily available, it would be marketed as 'wonder drug'. The only time when coffee is dangerous is during pregnancy. Fortunately, most women go off it as soon as they are pregnant.

Could never give up coffee altogether.I usually have de-caf these days, but this morning I just had two cups of strong Lavazza filter coffee, since I'm not going anywhere , I'll need several trips to the loo soon ! Bladder not what it was.

Not stopped it completely, have two caffeinated coffees in the morning then switch to decaf. Tassimo have a few nice flavoursome variations to choose from. I get a headache if I go without my morning caffeine so I guess there is an element of addiction too.

Serendipity22

I know its only a few days of no coffee but ive already got the headache withdrawal symptom, i will persevere if it's going to make a difference to the anxiety i was feeling ( as yet i haven't a clue if the anxiety menopausal or what the heck.... I won't go on about it because it leads to the subject of menopause and i know THIS isn't the place to talk about that.

Thank you for all your replies....

Much appreciated.

😃

Well done serendipity, it is not easy. Drink plenty of water while withdrawing, it will help you get rid of toxins.

Coffee is one of the most sprayed cash crops in the world and there is evidence that pesticides enter the bean while the bean is green

This is quite a read but eye opening to those who might think that a coffee bean is just a pure bean. Heavy coffee drinkers are not just ingesting coffee but a lot of toxins

www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.1004570/full

I have a close relative who had high anxiety, which was badly affecting her sleep, unknown to me she was drinking several expresso equivalents a day. She also had a panic attack twice at home, with a very high heart rate, when an ambulance was called. When I knew about her coffee consumption, I advised as requested. It took a few weeks and was not easy for her but the withdrawal worked and the side effects are that she is so much happier, calmer, healthier with a normal heart rate and sociable

Oh god no, the more coffee the better in my house

I have switched to decaf coffee at home and at work (i do bookkeeping for my daughters cafe) I get the barista to make a half strength coffee but that is only once a week. I have also switched to camomile tea, not sure if that is caffeinated.

I used to be very addicted to caffeine and not having an early coffee break at work resulted in terrible headaches. I was drinking about 4 cups a day so I cut down to 2 initially. I went off coffee altogether when pregnant and gave up 'cold turkey' resulting in a blinding headache lasting about 3 days. When I started drinking it again in late pregnancy I suffered from rosacea if I had a few cups in a day and even a cup of instant would result in a warm glow. I once felt a bit hot at work after my morning break and went to the school nurse who checked my temperature and sent me home! I was actually fine, and soon cooled down once the coffee effect wore off. I felt quite guilty taking half a day off!
Now I limit myself to one cup of decent coffee a day and only very occasionally have a second cup, usually if I'm on a long drive to keep me alert. The headaches have gone although they can still occur if I miss my daily cup altogether so I guess I'm still a bit dependent.
I was fortunate in not suffering during menopause so don't know if giving up coffee helps or not. I make sure I enjoy the one cup I have each day and rarely touch instant!

I cut out proper tea and coffee when I was having problems with acid reflux about 10 years ago. The GP suggested I drank Redbush no caffeine ‘tea’ and coffee substitutes such as Whole Earth Organic coffee alternative. The GP said decaffeinated teas and coffees weren’t the answer as there was still a certain amount of caffeine in them.
I can’t say I really miss proper tea or coffee and can’t remember having any withdrawal symptoms. I was really strict for the first few years but now have the occasional tea or coffee if I’m out.
Some of the posts on here have now got me thinking perhaps I need to drink coffee for the health of my liver. It’s a case of you cure one thing and then make another thing worse 🤔😊

Up until ten years ago I drank very strong black coffee. Never instant, always freshly made. Then I had a virus for about a week. I couldn't bear the smell of coffee or bananas. I haven't had a coffee since. I only drink herbal tea and gallons of water. No fizzy drinks either. I probably drink two litres of water a day. More in the summer. I don't know if I feel healthier for not drinking coffee. But I certainly don't miss it. I try as many tea infusions as I can find. But obviously stay away from any that contain sweeteners or other chemical ingredients.

Thank you for all replies.....

🙂

Serendipity 22 - if it’s menopause your are dealing with and worried about - IMO coffee is the last thing I would consider unless you are drinking more than 2 (or 3) cups a day. Unless you feel addicted to it.
There is some value to coffee/caffeine so don’t overlook that.

Many factors are in control as you go through the change - mainly hormones, as you know. But factor in your diet, your sleep regimen, physical activities, daily stress - they all contribute towards how you navigate menopause. But these factors also are affected by menopause and could put you in a tailspin. Some women suffer more than others.

My experience - first of all do not make menopause your guiding North Star now… try to forget about it as much as you can. Think about it in a more humorous way (if you can do that.)

If your symptoms overtake you at some point, then a trial and error/process of elimination can give you clues. Talk to a FEMALE physician for more guidance.

I hope it’s not severe for you and does not last a long time. Sorry to get off the beaten path here from the original post. Couldn’t help myself when it comes to that subject.
🥴
Clear sailing ahead!
USA Gundy

I’ve never drunk coffee but I gave up caffeine a few years ago because I found that whenever I traveled abroad I had awful headaches for the first couple of days. It took years of suffering before I worked out what the cause was. I never drink tea abroad as it never tastes right so the headaches were withdrawal symptoms. The headache when I changed to decaf was pretty bad but I generally feel better and definitely sleep better. These days most cafes and restaurants offer decaf tea so it’s not an issue when out now either.

Gundy

Don't apologise smile 🙂, you words are very much appreciated..... I have read them twice and after posting this I shall read a 3rd time ( i like to digest everything)

😃

I love coffee over tea, I also suffer with bouts of cystitus. If I drink more than one cup of decaf a day it can bring it on. nasty, so I sacrifice and drink tea other times.

Be very careful cutting out tea or coffee. I had the worst headache I ever had in my life! It must be done gradually.

Coffee should only be consumed by consenting adults in private.

The infliction of the stench of coffee on the rest of us should be illegal. It makes many of us nauseus..

I do know I am in a minority here, but the stench of coffee inflicted on the rest of us is akin to passive smoking.

Do it in private if you must.

I can’t abide even the smell of coffee, so no problem not drinking it… never have and never will. Made it for my husband who drank lots of it …but now he’s not at home … but in one…. the coffee has been put into the bin .

I would drink decaf but there have been reports of it containing chemicals used in the decaf process. I normally have 1 or 2 cups per day

From memory I think Nescafé Gold Blend is naturally decaffeinated but thanks for reminding me because I’ve been buying a different brand recently. I also think Percol is naturally decaffeinated, too.

Haven't had coffee for over 50 years when I realised it was the cause of frequent tummy aches and jumpiness. Caffeine is my poison!

After a stay in Spain I got addicted to coffee because the tea was so weak. Then there was no instant coffee in Spain one could only buy the beans and grind them yourself or get the grocer to do it. However I gave it up because it was said to be bad for arthritis.
I have found according to Arthritis Care there is nothing that will cure osteoarthritis.
So I now enjoy my cup of coffee.

I’d give up anything before coffee. Nowadays I drink it all morning but stop at noon in case it’s that which wakes me up at night. In the afternoon I drink a cup or two of tea.
In winter I can’t face cold drinks.