|
Do You Need Your Caffeine Fix????
Question: I love coffee but every magazine I pick up has something different - one says it is good for you, another says it is bad, others say it makes you fat. I get confused and would just like to know the truth. Should I give up my morning caffeine?
Answer: Coffee is the most popular drink in the world. So, you are in good company. I, myself, am a java junkie. Doesn’t matter to me whether it is caf or decaf, I like the taste of coffee. Although, I will admit that I have a hard time starting my day without a jolt of real java. And these days, if you don’t drink tea or coffee, you are an outsider.
Coffee and tea are 100% natural, have zero calories and a few nutrients. Coffee contains twice as much caffeine as tea but the amount varies by type and brewing process. Green tea has caffeine, black teas have more, coffee has even more. With each cup of tea or coffee you will get between 50 mg and 200 mg of caffeine.
There are a lot of other drinks that contain caffeine as well. Some sodas contain as much if not more caffeine than a cup of coffee. I have clients who are addicted to their morning Mountain Dew or some type of cola. They don’t care for the taste of coffee but it is still the same intake of caffeine.
Caffeine gives you energy. So much so that it is added to energy drinks. The problem with the energy drinks is that they usually contain sugar and other assorted uppers along with the caffeine. This will work for a time but your blood sugar will fluctuate - causing a crash.
Coffee and tea are both acidic and habitual consumption can cause stomach problems in some people. Coffee beverages are usually chosen for taste.
Coffee nor tea will make you fat. In fact, they will most likely do the opposite. Since the caffeine acts as a diuretic, you will go to the bathroom more often and you will probably be less hungry. Caffeine is often added to diet aids. The only things in tea or coffee that can make you fat are the things you add such as cream, sugar, syrups, etc.
Caffeine can cause insomnia and addiction which could affect the ability of your body to rest. However, drinking coffee before a workout can enhance your energy level.
Some of the health benefits associated with caffeine: lowering the risk of diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and colon cancer, it can be a mood enhancer, helps headaches and can even lessen the risk of cavities.
So....if you enjoy your morning or afternoon ritual, then go for it. Just keep it traditional, pure and simple. Stay away from the Frapuccinos!
| 
