There is always so much conflicting information out there about coffee and whether it is good for us or not. Whilst it is a popular beverage enjoyed by the majority of people, there are definitely some things to consider if you are a regular coffee-drinker.

Let’s dive into it!

  1. Digestive issues: coffee is highly acidic, which can irritate the stomach lining and contribute to acid reflux/heartburn. It can also act as a laxative, so those with sensitive digestive systems may want to reduce or eliminate coffee consumption. Many people rely on coffee to keep them regular, but that explosive effect you get shortly after drinking it, is your body attempting to eradicate poison and the gut irritant. It is NOT a healthy way to ensure regular bowel movements. If you’re someone who needs their daily coffee to stay regular, you need to do some healing work.
  2. Sleep: coffee is a stimulant that can interfere with sleep quality and quantity. Ideally you would want a cut off time for coffee (I won’t drink it past 1PM at the absolute latest)
  3. Anxiety: the caffeine may increase anxiety levels in certain individuals, especially those who are already prone to anxiety or panic attacks. This is because caffeine stimulates the production of cortisol and adrenaline. Repeated production of cortisol can lead to nervous system dysregulation, as just one example of a negative bodily effect.
  4. Adrenals: as mentioned before, caffeine can stimulate the production of cortisol and adrenaline which puts a strain on the adrenal glands, which are responsible for producing and regulating hormones. Over time, excessive coffee consumption can lead to adrenal fatigue, where the adrenals become overworked and unable to function properly. If you are constantly feeling wired but tired, or are relying on coffee to give you the energy you need, you are actually stealing tomorrow’s energy to pay for today. There are no cheat codes in life. Quit the coffee, nourish your adrenals and obtain true energy from a healthy, vibrant body.
  5. Dehydration: coffee is a diuretic, which means it increases urine production and ultimately causes dehydration. This is because caffeine increases blood flow to the kidneys, which increases the rate of urine production. Over time, excessive coffee consumption can lead to chronic dehydration, which can contribute to a variety of health problems.
  6. Skin: coffee can impact skin health, through dehydration and increase in the production of sebum – which clogs pores and can contribute to acne breakouts.
  7. Each cup is full of poison: literally. The coffee plant is the most highly sprayed crop in the WORLD, with pesticides. Therefore, if you don’t drink organic coffee, you’re getting a bit dumping of poisons in every cup. It’s also often contaminated with heavy metals and, due to the environment it’s grown in – hot, humid, clammy – and the beans are picked and stored whilst waiting export, they often contain mould. This is why different countries set the mould limits for coffee beans, as to what they’ll accept. America has a very high tolerance and therefore, where other countries may refuse the coffee due to mould, it will be shipped off to America.

Now don’t get me wrong, I love coffee as much as the next person BUT I have thankfully been able to escape the habitual, mindless consumption of it once I took a step back and assessed how it REALLY made me feel, WHY I was drinking it, and learning about how it could be affecting me. I have managed to develop a much healthier, more intentional habit with coffee which I am quite happy about (because I was DEEP in the coffee, like almost drowning in my 3 flat whites a day) and would encourage other people to try it too!

Obviously there are multiple alternatives you can try too, some of my favourites include; sweet herbal teas (chai or turmeric based), matcha lattes, healthy hot chocolate (think cacao, maca, maple syrup and coconut milk – delish), and to be totally honest, water is my go to – it has always been my favourite drink, as strange as that may sound!

If you’re not quite ready to ditch the coffee yet, then you can consider healthier coffee options, such as those which are tested for heavy metals, mould and pesticides, to ensure they are completely free of these toxic substances. Brand such as Bulletproof and Lean Coffee. You could then enhance your coffee further with superfoods, such as raw cow’s milk, pasture raised egg yolk and sea salt.

Ultimately, the caffeine component is still going to impact negatively on the body with repeat exposure, so I would still be mindful even with the healthiest coffee products available. This is especially important for anyone with a chronic health issue. All clients I work with, ditch the coffee right away. Trying to heal whilst still drinking coffee is very difficult.

If you’d like to learn what else we remove from our diets when trying to heal, grab a copy of Jade’s free nutrition plan! This is a combination of anti-inflammatory, gut healing foods and removal of gut irritants, inflammatory and refined foods. This is a great way to get started on improving your chronic health issues.

Download a copy here: The Healing Nutrition Plan

To your good health,

Ellie (& Jade)

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