Today we are going to dive into coffee.
There is as much information for it as there is against it.
Is it as bad or as good as everyone says?
The truth is that coffee is a narcotic beverage. The caffeine in coffee belongs to the same alkaloid group of chemicals as morphine, cocaine and strychnine. It is an outside stimulant that triggers the release of bile from the liver, and cortisol release from the adrenal glands.
When we are in optimal health we do not require the need to rely on outside stimulants. When our bodies are functioning properly we wake up refreshed from sleep and bounce out of bed with energy ready to conquer the day.
If you are sleep deprived or slow-to-go in the mornings that is typically a sign that your body is not operating optimally.
The ‘buzz’ or stimulation you get from coffee contributes to re-bound fatigue when the stimulating effects wear off. This leads to the consumption of sugary foods and energy drinks to help replace the energy drop caused by the caffeine let-down.
Relying on caffeine on a regular basis will contribute to the exhaustion of vital organs such as the liver, pancreas and adrenal glands. This is because it is artificially revving an engine (your body) that is already low on gas.
Caffeine combines with hydrochloric acid in your stomach and forms a potent toxin, called caffeine hydrochloride.
When this toxin is absorbed into your circulation, bile is released in an attempt to flush it from your system. This is what accounts for the increase in bowel ‘regularity’ of which many coffee drinkers come to rely on.
You may be one of the people who enjoys the taste of coffee rather than relying on the caffeine so you choose decaf.
Although decaffeinated coffee is without caffeine, it has its own list of issues and is not a better choice.
Drinking decaffeinated coffee is not better than drinking regular coffee.
It contains the chemical Trichloroethylene. This chemical is used to pull the caffeine from the coffee beans in the decaffeination process. This chemical is related to the plastic chemical, vinyl chloride, which has been linked to certain types of liver cancer. Trichloroethylene is used mainly as a degreasing agent in the metal industry and as a solvent and dry cleaning agent in the clothing industry.
For over 20 years Columbian coffee planters have used toxic pesticides on their plants. Some of the pesticides are Aldrin, Dieldrin, Chlordane and Heptachlor. To avoid ingesting these chemicals you can brew a cup at home using organic coffee beans.
If you have fallen into the habit of purchasing coffee from coffee shops or restaurants, those “outside the home beverages” are typically not made with filtered water. They are brewed with plain old tap water. Tap water is filled with chlorine, trace amounts of heavy metals such as arsenic and lead, pesticide and pharmaceutical medication residues.
Daily ingestion of coffee leaches vital minerals such as calcium and magnesium from the body and contributes to dehydration. This can result in muscle cramping and severe “Charlie horses”.
In most people caffeine metabolizes within 24 hours. If you continually drink caffeine throughout the day or rely on a daily dose your system is never completely “empty” of a caffeine load. It is important to take a break from caffeine to give your liver an opportunity to be without it at least a few days per week.
Yes, coffee is dehydrating. Coffee drinkers should consciously consume water, lemon water, coconut water, fresh fruits, and fresh pressed vegetable juices to offset the dehydrating effects of a cup of coffee.
What you put in your coffee matters.
Do you take cream and sugar? Like it black?
This is the area where we take a perfectly good cup of organic coffee made with filtered water and add in artificial sweeteners and toxic fake coffee creamer. Do not do this. Conventional creamer alternatives contain propylene glycol (anti-freeze). Real organic half and half is better than any fake creamer. However, dairy can be a problem for many people. In the last year many healthy dairy free coffee creamers have made it to market. Unsweetened choices are the best.
You can try So Delicious coconut milk creamer, nut pods, or silk almond milk creamer.
These are just a few of the ones currently available. Previously they could only be found in health food stores. Recently, I have been surprised to find these healthy coffee creamer alternatives in conventional grocery stores.
The Bottom line:
If you love coffee and can’t imagine life without it here are a few rules of thumb to consider…
As a rule, coffee consumed within moderation is not a direct problem to health. You do need to be conscious about it though.
A moderate dose is less than 16oz per day. Overuse will contribute to hormone and blood sugar imbalances.
Brew your coffee at home using organic beans and filtered water.
Eat breakfast before enjoying your first cup. Drinking coffee on an empty stomach first thing in the morning contributes to “belly fat”.
Coffee is dehydrating so be aware of your fluid intake.
Drink 12-16 oz. of water on waking, eat breakfast, have your coffee and follow that with another 12-16oz of water.
It is ideal to take a break from coffee at least 1-2 days per week.
A great coffee alternative is green tea. It contains half the caffeine as coffee with many positive health benefits.
Thank you, Andrea! All of this is true about coffee and I have experienced every negative thing in here. I was VERY happy to hear your explanation of all the problems it causes with the liver and adrenals.