We Brits are wedded to our caffeine beverages, almost as much as the Americans these days. Whether it’s in our morning coffee on the drive to work, an afternoon cuppa or caffeinated fizzy drinks, we can’t get enough of this psychostimulant substance. But is caffeine really that bad for you?

One argument for regular intakes of caffeine is that it helps our alertness and reaction times. To test this theory, one study compared the mood, health and reaction times of regular coffee drinkers. Half the drinkers were secretly given decaffeinated coffee for one week and their scores were compared with a group drinking ordinary coffee.
Initially the decaf group suffered as their bodies craved the caffeine fix and their scores on hand steadiness, reaction time and alertness dropped. However, by the end of the week and after full withdrawal not only had their scores returned to pre-test levels but they had reduced their blood pressure, lowered feelings of anxiety and improved their sleep.
Whilst studies on the effects of caffeine are mixed, we do know that it has harmful consequences on different functions within our bodies.

Here’s a summary of the evidence so you can make your own mind up:

Heart: People with high blood pressure, heart disease or irregular heartbeat problems should avoid caffeine as it makes the heart beat faster and raises blood pressure. A study from Oslo reported that four or more cups of filter coffee per day can increase your risk of heart disease by 15 per cent. Coffee raises the blood levels of cholesterol and homocysteine – both compounds increase your risk of heart disease.

Nervous system: Caffeine kicks in your fight or flight responses, increasing your pulse, breathing and muscle tension. It raises the level of norepinephrine, a brain chemical that increases alertness and can cause insomnia.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: A recent study revealed that people who drink four or more cups of coffee a day have twice the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis than people who drink less coffee.

Osteoporosis: Several studies have shown that caffeine interferes with the absorption of calcium, raising the risk of the brittle bone disease osteoporosis. Think about that next time your growing teenager reaches for a diet cola.

Kidneys: Acting as a diuretic, caffeine makes the kidneys work harder, reducing body water and leading to dehydration. It dilates the blood vessels in kidneys and speeds up the elimination of minerals and vitamins, many of which are essential to health, especially in menopausal years. One of the vitamins it depletes is B6, vital for preventing kidney stones. People with stones should avoid caffeine and increase intake of vitamin B6 and magnesium.

Endometriosis and breast pain: Researchers have found that as little as two caffeinated drinks per day raises the level of the hormone oestrogen in women. Elevated oestrogen levels are linked to breast pain and endometriosis – a very painful condition where the lining of the uterus grow outside the uterus causing scarring and inflammation.

Memory loss: A recent study has linked memory problems with long-term, heavy caffeine use (eight caffeinated drinks a day).

Increased cancer risk: Very high levels of caffeine – nine or more drinks a day – have been linked with a range of cancers, including those of the pancreas, kidneys and urinary tract, though in many of the studies linking heavy intake of coffee with the disease, the cancer sufferers had also been smokers

Low birth weight: Caffeine passes direct through the placenta to your unborn child. Caffeine is associated with low birth weight, irritable babies, miscarriage and some birth defects.

Do you want to reduce your caffeine intake?

If you choose to come off caffeine to avoid its harmful health consequences, then it’s not recommended to go cold turkey but rather to gradually reduce your intake, replacing the caffeinated products in your diet with naturally caffeine-free ones.

If, however, you decide to cut it out in one go, be aware that you’re going to have a week of tiredness, headaches, irritability and possibly even muscle stiffness. (Doesn’t this alone tell you that caffeine messes with your system?) After about a week, these symptoms will pass but the best course is to reduce your intake slowly.

If quitting caffeine seems too drastic a measure, then it is advisable to limit your daily intake and be aware of all sources of caffeine in your diet that contribute to that daily total. Tea and coffee is grown with pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers so choose organic versions that will have fewer residual chemicals.

All the practitioners at Spinal and Natural Healthcare Centre are trained to offer advice in nutrition, diet, exercise and lifestyle changes for whole body health. Next time you visit your local chiropractically trained practitioner take advantage of their knowledge!