Feeling like you can’t operate without your morning AND afternoon coffee?
Too much caffeine can interrupt your sleep patterns, elevate cortisol, and leave you feeling wired and tired. This combination can seriously dismantle your natural daily sleep cycle, known as the circadian rhythm, not to mention push your adrenal glands a little too hard (the glands produce our cortisol and other important hormones).
Many of our coffee-loving patients don’t realize that they are actually worsening their daytime energy by indulging in a little too much of the morning (and afternoon) Joe. Even I fell victim to the coffee crush… during medical school, there was a point where I was living off of borrowed energy and consuming entirely too much coffee, especially during midterms and finals. I wasn’t thriving on coffee. I was surviving on coffee.
But coffee isn’t all bad. And caffeine isn’t the only bio-active compound in that cup!
Yes, we know that caffeine, the most famous plant alkaloid in coffee, is known for its central nervous system stimulatory, neuroprotective and antioxidant properties (i.e. providing positive effects for your brain!). But did you know that it also allows for stronger muscle contraction; thus making it a commonly used aid for enhancement of athletic performance.
Some of the other action-packed compounds found in coffee:
- Caffeic acid is believed to reduce Nf-KB levels…. So in other words, it reduces inflammation.
- Melanoidin (formed during roasting) also has antioxidant properties.
- Trigonelline is a therapeutic compound that has a hypoglycemic effect; in other words, it can help reduce blood sugar levels.
A few easy tips to drink responsibly:
- Limit consumption ideally to 1 cup per day…. and if you just love your morning-long ritual of a couple cups of that warm hug in a mug, try consuming “half caff” by mixing your coffee with half hot water.
- Blend in some blood sugar stabilizing or immune-boosting powders. We love Vital Proteins Collagen Creamers and Four Sigmata Mushroom Powder Blends (found at most any health foods store).
- Don’t drink coffee after the early afternoon – drinking it too late in the day can work against the natural decrease in cortisol and impact your ability to fall asleep easily at bed time.
Cheers to that morning latte, cappuccino, or Americano!
Naturopathic medicine in San Diego is a distinct system of medicine that skillfully combines natural therapeutic traditions with modern science to restore and optimize health. For more information how your nutritional choices may support your health goals or to schedule an appointment with a Naturopathic doctor in San Diego, please call NaturopathicRX at (858) 914-3444.