Caffeine Makes Me Cry!!(Truly … big crocodile tears …)
I know this blog is about a “journey to less”, meaning a healthier weight which is less than I weigh now. Caffeine or no caffeine probably does not have a major impact on weight loss. However, it most certainly has an impact on surprising aspects of physical and mental health.
All of us are different. Our genetics and habits come from our life journey. Many of my friends and family tell me that they just can’t get going in the morning without that hit of caffeine. My husband has two cups in the morning with his breakfast. Many people here in the office are the same. Sometimes the line at the coffee maker is not only a place to get a caffeine hit but also a chance for some community conversation. And right after lunch, our espresso maker gets a real workout!
My personal tolerance for caffeine is minus zero. The smallest amount makes my heart rate pick up and I can cry at the least inspiration. Here’s a funny example. I had a “healthy-ish” protein drink on the way to work this morning. I was tuned to the classical radio station as I cruised down the highway at a stunning 35 miles per hour. Life was good. Onto the radio came a beautiful piece of music called Cavalleria Rusticana by Pietro Mascagni. I had never heard this particular piece before and much to my surprise I found tears rolling down my cheeks. It’s a lovely piece of music but honestly, it’s not THAT great! For a true tearjerker, try Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings. This was used at the funeral for FDR and after JFK’s assassination.
Back to caffeine and crying… as the tears continued to roll, it was then I realized it was probably the caffeine in the protein drink kicking in. Now other than caffeine, this particular protein drink is fairly healthy. The protein comes from plant sources, it’s low on potassium (good for my hyperkalemia), low on sugar and tastes OK. Not a meal substitute by any means but not that unhealthy. I have to own that staying in bed 15 minutes longer meant I had to eat on the go… again. And, I forgot to check the label for caffeine. I know I’m sensitive to caffeine. That choice is on me. Enough said.
Caffeine is not the villain. Each of us has a unique genetic makeup that should guide us in our choices about caffeine. It’s incredibly important to make informed choices about whether and how much caffeine to consume. Here’s some of the science about caffeine. According to the Cleveland Clinic website and various other sources I checked, up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day is a generally accepted level. As a reference, a 12-ounce cup of regular coffee contains about 135 milligrams of caffeine. At Starbucks, that’s a “tall” size. A 12-ounce cup of green tea will contain an average of about 45 milligrams of caffeine. A one ounce shot of espresso will typically contain 60 to 75 milligrams.
Caffeine does have benefits like increased focus, ability to reduce inflammation, energy boost, and enhanced athletic performance. According to the AMA, studies on caffeine in moderate doses has been linked to a lower risk of Type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s and heart failure. Although, I do have to wonder if the caffeine industry paid for those studies???
Here are some scientifically proven facts about caffeine: (Items 1 – 6 are taken from the AMA website.)
1) Caffeine is a stimulant. It blocks a chemical called adenosine which induces sleep. It mildly increases dopamine which generally improves mood and cognitive function.
2) Caffeine is addictive. Obviously, it’s not like a harmful, addictive drug but many people have a dependence on caffeine. If you feel as though you depend too much on caffeine, you’re probably right but the medical experts say don’t stop cold turkey. First, add water to your daily liquid intake and then reduce gradually every other day until you get back to a better level for you. We’re all different so pay attention to your own body signals. When in doubt, always consult your medical professional.
3) Caffeine can cause blood pressure and heart rate to increase. The AMA recommends caffeine be consumed in smaller quantities over a period of hours. They also say don’t consume caffeine for at least 60 minutes before visiting the doctor. And, during pregnancy caffeine should be limited to avoid increases in the baby’s heart rate. If you’ve ever heard a baby’s heartbeat, you’ll know the last thing they need is an increase in heart rate!
4) Caffeine can be a mood enhancer. That mild increase in dopamine can cause you to just feel better. That’s not bad. Who doesn’t like feeling better even for a little while?
5) Caffeine contains cafestol. This is a compound that increases blood cholesterol levels.
6) Caffeine increases your base metabolism rate. The increase isn’t enough to cause weight loss but in the right amounts, it can help limit weigh gain.
7) Decaf coffee still contains caffeine. Aha, that explains why my occasion cup of decaf coffee in the evening can lead to sleeplessness. From now on, it’s only herbal tea for me. Zero caffeine herbal teas include chamomile, lemon balm, peppermint, rooibos, hibiscus and ginger. I’ll do a separate blog on what to look for in herbal teas so watch for that in the future.
By the way, I just discovered that Michigan State University has a Center for Research on Ingredient Safety. I’m looking into the funding for that Center, but I am hoping it might be a source for future information on enhancing my ability to make smart choices based on evidence from truly independent sources. I have little faith in information from government sources as when you look into the funding it’s not unusual to find undue influence from industry lobbyists. No political agenda here!! Just a genuine desire to have objective information so I can make my own informed choices.
Enough with the science on caffeine and back to my journey to less. Less caffeine for me means getting as close to zero as I can. I’ll get my dopamine kick from other sources. Next time I listen to a sad piece of music, I want to tune in and just feel it in my soul.
