Amanda Winters – Founder of the A+ Plan845-264-5575
Caffeine is a familiar drug, included in coffee, soda, chocolate, painkillers and other items. Today I’m specifically writing about caffeine in coffee, since so many Americans are addicted to this drink.
Every day, many Americans are going through this cycle:
Fatigue →Caffeine → Anxiety → Depression → Not sleeping well →Fatigue → Desire for more caffeine
Does this describe you? While some people can have six cups of coffee and seem fine, others will shake and exhibit mood changes with one cup. Studies have shown that as few as two cups of coffee per day can produce anxiety, insomnia, irritability, and dizziness. Even as much as a 6-oz serving (and you know you get at least 12-oz at a time!) can cause a reduction of brain function, recall and analysis. About the same amount of caffeine also depletes your body of calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, sodium, and chloride. Students think they do better in school when they have coffee? Employees think they do better at work with coffee in their system? Athletes think they do better after a few cups of coffee or sports drinks with caffeine? Think again.
Drugs like caffeine manipulate your body into thinking you need them, and then you end up desiring them every day. Coffee seems like a great choice, giving you energy and focus with great taste. But it’s not just stimulants you’re getting; it’s stress on your body. Caffeine stresses your adrenal glands, which are meant to help your body in emergencies, thus causing your body to work much harder than it has to. It also gives your body low blood sugar, mood and energy swings, fatigue, depression, and malnutrition. Caffeine can also cause sleep impairment, even if you’ve only had one cup in the morning.
Stop the cycle! Do you have diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, high blood pressure or high cholesterol, a family history of Alzheimer’s disease, or are elderly? You have been identified as being a “very high-risk population” if you use caffeine. Alcoholics, children, pregnant women, insomniacs and those stricken with depression and/or anxiety attacks also have to be especially careful of the amount of caffeine they consume. With guidance, these people can learn how much their individual bodies can consume and be healthy.
This article is simply stating that we have to really monitor how much caffeine we allow into our bodies. This is a reminder to please be careful of your intake!
-Amanda Winters
Amanda is a health and fitness contributor for Nimble Fitness and the creator of the A+ Plan. Formed in 2003 to help motivate, inspire and help people achieve their goals, the A+ Plan has continued to expand its services and products to have something for everyone. Amanda Winters, founder of the A+ Plan, works with all ages of men, women and children nationwide, working via phone and Internet for those outside of the NY area. She has a B.S from the Fashion Institute of Technology and certification as a Holistic Health Counselor from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. With a lifetime of experience in food intolerance and fashion styling, and a passion for helping people look and feel their best through nutrition, psychology and fashion, Amanda is quite the unique expert. Find out more at www.aplusplan.com.
very informational article on caffeine and it’s effects on the body! didn’t realize how bad excess caffeine in coffee was for a person.
i look forward to future articles written by amanda winters!
I thought I was doing well by only having one cup, but you have some scary stats in there! I may have to just wean myself from my one cup per day!
I wouldn’t worry too much about it. There is a lot of information out there, including the many benefits of coffee. I say practice moderation and you’ll be fine.
-Antonio