If the thought alone of living caffeine-free makes you cringe, you’re not the only one. Whether it’s gourmet coffees & teas or fancy energy drinks, Americans are drinking more caffeine than ever and it’s affecting our health.
I’ve never been a coffee lover. But I did love a yummy, what I considered a ‘fancy’ tea. My favorite: chai tea. And I’d drink a hot chai latte probably once a week, year round.
For me it wasn’t about the caffeine. It was about the smell and taste of that amazing spicy blend. But when I was first diagnosed with a thyroid condition, my heart rate was dangerously high. And one of the first things I had to say farewell to was stimulants. Caffeine included.
Related Post: My Personal Journey With Thyroid Disease
There’s a ton of conflicting research out there, some of which shows caffeine boosts weight loss, energy levels and mental focus. But there’s also research that proves each of those benefits can be achieved without the health risks that come with being overly caffeinated.
And my thought process is always; if there’s a healthier way to reach the same goal, why not try it?
LIVING CAFFEINE-FREE
There’s some serious science behind the chemical ripple effect of caffeine. Here are 3 healthy benefits to ditching your habit and living caffeine-free.
1. WE ABSORB NUTRIENTS BETTER
Caffeine can severely reduce our body’s ability to efficiently absorb nutrients like iron, vitamin D, calcium and B vitamins.
2. WE HAVE BETTER HORMONE BALANCE
Caffeine recreates stress conditions for our body that lead to higher cortisol levels, greater insulin sensitivity and in some women, increased estrogen.
3. WE FEEL LESS ANXIOUS
The boost we get from caffeine increases our body’s natural fight or flight response and fuel feelings of nervousness and anxiety.
As a lifestyle coach, I’m always looking at how our style of living affects our health – in this case, low energy.
Related Post: The causes of fatigue
Often, we’re overworked, under-rested, highly stressed and poorly nourished. And caffeine becomes the crutch many of us use to just make it through the day. But I’m a firm believer that constantly feeling low on energy is our body sending us a message.
Is it a vitamin deficiency, a hormone imbalance, foods that our body’s struggling to digest?
At one time for me, it was all of the above. And caffeine only made it easier to ignore the signs my body was sending me because I was able to stay in ‘go’ mode. The process of living caffeine-free can be tough at first. But it can be done.
Are you fully, partially, or completely non-caffeinated? Let me know in the comment below. I’d love to hear from you.
