Give up coffee??

NOOOOOOO!!!!! I can hear you screaming from here…

I was the same, life just didn’t happen without my morning shot (or several…)

Stick with me…I’ll give you 12 excellent reasons why giving up coffee is worth the effort (and 3 healthy alternatives)

Trying to give up COFFEE is a big deal - let's face it – we’re addicted! Well, most people are...in fact 70% of Canadians are daily coffee drinkers...and not just ONE CUP either! Do you know that coffee has serious neurological implications? Just ask anyone who has tried to quit cold turkey! The headaches can really suck, the withdrawal is even worse and the constant stimulation of a very specific part of the brain called the limbic system is of even more concern.

Coffee is addictive for a couple reasons: it contains caffeine (which gives you short term boosts of "feel good" hormones and adrenalin). It also tastes amazing and when you put heaps of sugar and cream in it then it becomes a relatively socially acceptable (guilt free) dessert. Don't kid yourself. 

The problem is that although it tastes amazing and makes you feel awesome in the short term - it can have many downsides, especially if you consume it daily and have more than 1 cup. Giving up coffee can yield amazing results and improvements to your health!

12 benefits of giving up coffee

1. Break the Addiction

In most people caffeine is an addictive substance to some degree, and who doesn’t want to kick an addiction to something unhealthy?

Relying on coffee to function or even stay awake becomes a vicious cycle. We need more and more to achieve the same results. It feels great to break free...even if it's just to give your body a break.  

2. Financial Savings

The tap each time you grab a cup doesn’t seem like much, but imagine if you buy a medium coffee every day at $2.50 per cup.  That’s $912.50 per year!  That’s a half the money for a descent vacation in Mexico!  

3. Lower Blood Pressure

Caffeine can raise your blood pressure a few points and even more in some people. Quitting coffee or caffeine can lower your blood pressure and keep your heart from working as hard. If you are on blood pressure medications then consider cutting out the coffee - it might save your life!

4. Better Sleep

Caffeine can greatly reduce the amount and quality of your sleep. It takes 4-6 hours for caffeine to work through your body and drinking coffee or energy drinks too late in the day can interfere with getting to sleep.  People who have no caffeine after noon report a better quality of sleep and people who give up caffeine completely report a considerably better sleep.

5. Better Mood

Feeling a bit moody lately? Caffeine alters the mood. Many report being grumpy until they've had their morning coffee and others feel lethargic when the caffeine begins to wear off in the afternoon. After even a few short days without coffee you can notice a considerable improvement in mood, especially when combined with a clean diet and reduced sugar intake.

6. Decreased Anxiety

Many people report that caffeine increases their anxiety levels. This has to do with how caffeine stimulates the nervous system and the adrenal glands. Quitting coffee or caffeine can make you feel less anxious, especially if you are prone to anxiety issues.

7. Fewer Headaches

Caffeine is a major trigger for headaches. Any alteration in your normal daily caffeine consumption can result in a caffeine withdrawal headache.  Caffeine can also be a migraine trigger.

8. Weight Loss

Caffeine stimulates the nervous system and causes an increase in insulin, causing the body to store fat. Weight loss efforts are improved by decreasing coffee and caffeine, especially when combined with sugar elimination.

Unless you drink your coffee black, caffeinated beverages generally add empty calories to our diets that we don't really need. What about that "double double"?

Many experts say that sugary beverages are a huge component of the obesity epidemic plaguing the western world. A study from Victoria University found that when caffeine is in a sugary beverage it causes people to consume more of that sugary beverage compared to a sugary beverage without caffeine.

9. Fewer Trips to the Bathroom

Caffeinated beverages cause us to urinate more often and in some people can cause incontinence. Caffeine also stimulates the smooth muscles of the colon, which cause them to contract. This can be challenging during meetings, road trips, or when bathrooms aren't convenient. Quitting can reduce the need to use the bathroom as often, especially in the mornings.

10. No More Jitters

One of the leading side-effects from caffeine or coffee consumption is jitters or shaky hands. This can range from annoying to even debilitating for some people.

Quitting can give you your steady hands back.

11. Possible Drug Interactions

Caffeine can interact with other medications causing them to not work as they should. Giving up caffeine eliminates this risk.

12. Reduced Sugar and Caloric Intake

Many who consume coffee often add sugar and/or cream or an artificial flavoring. The amount of calories from added sugar and cream might surprise you! Plus all that artificial fake food just wreaks havoc on your digestive system and decreases your body's efficiency. Coffee is often the source of many extra unnecessary empty calories (double double?? over 30 grams of refined sugar...and that's not including the cream).

Here's our favourite coffee replacements