Coffee, a potential wake-up call

Coffee is the favorite drink of Germans, almost everyone drinks at least one cup in the morning, followed by more cups in the morning, and another little coffee in the afternoon, to beat the afternoon slump! But what does coffee do to our bodies and can high coffee consumption cause health damage?

I looked into these questions, and as a non-coffee drinker (I love my tea in the morning!!), I have no problem doing without the brown drink, but even heavy drinkers should perhaps consider changing their habits.

Coffee is often drunk to combat fatigue, aid digestion, or simply in company, but paradoxically, it is coffee itself that can cause fatigue, exhaustion, and constipation.

The caffeine contained in coffee stimulates the adrenal glands to produce adrenaline, this stress hormone is actually intended to provide the body with the energy it needs to survive in a state of stress. However, if you are not currently involved in a situation that requires extraordinary strength from the body (for example, at the computer at work), the adrenaline level will soon drop again and you will fall into a slump. Fatigue, headaches, exhaustion, and irritability are then signs that are often noticeable. That is the moment when you get the next coffee. A vicious circle!!

The caffeine in coffee also reduces the serotonin level (a calming neurotransmitter) and increases the noradrenaline level (a hormone that stimulates the nervous system). Caffeine also stimulates the production of norepinephrine (another stress hormone). Epinephrine and norepinephrine are responsible for increasing heart rate and blood pressure. This signals to the body that it is in a stressful situation.

Physical poisoning from caffeine:

So, anyone who keeps their body permanently at a high caffeine level remains permanently in a state of physical stress. Stephan Cherniske, author of the book "Caffeine Blues", calls this state of alarm of the body "caffeinism". A state of chronic poisoning that results from excessive consumption of caffeine. Caffeinism combines physical dependence with a wide range of effects affecting the psyche, these are primarily irritability, anxiety, mood swings, sleep disorders, depression, and exhaustion.

Inflammatory symptoms can also occur due to caffeine, even with moderate consumption. Headaches and adrenal exhaustion can be the result. Coffee forces the adrenal glands to release the corresponding hormones, but over time you get used to a certain caffeine level and the adrenal gland needs more and more caffeine to be able to release the substance. Some people reach the point where they drink 6-7 cups of coffee a day and still do not feel more awake. This is already serious adrenal exhaustion.

To put it simply, coffee works like any other drug, you start with low consumption until the body has developed a tolerance threshold. Then you need more and more to still feel the desired effects. The organism reaches a point where it no longer functions without the drug. If it does not get it, withdrawal symptoms occur.

Research conducted at Johns Hopkins University showed that just one cup of coffee a day is enough to experience withdrawal symptoms.

From a health perspective, it therefore makes little, if any, sense to consume coffee. You are better served, especially in the morning, with a green smoothie and herbal, green, or ginseng tea. These have an alkaline effect on the body and do not unnecessarily acidify it. You should simply try reducing your coffee consumption, it will pay off after a while. And you still don't have to give up the beautiful latte art, that also works great with plant-based milk and matcha or chai tea – give it a try!