The Hard Truth About Caffeine
"Caffeine is an addictive drug that is just one more source of toxins for your liver to process. If you want to maximize your chances of staying healthy, do not drink or eat anything that contains caffiene." ~ 101 Ways to Improve Your Health
Nutritional bandits gum up our body signals, confuse our internal conversation, create a toxic overload in the body, and rob us of our health when consumed regularly. Today we take a look at Nutritional Bandit #3: Caffeine.
Caffeine is a chemical stimulant that increases activity in certain parts of the brain and central nervous system. It is is found in:
Coffee
Tea
colas and sodas
Chocolate and cocoa
Herbs such as yerba mate and guarana root
Analgesics such as Excedrin and many over-the-counter stimulants
Billions of people consume caffeine everyday, with coffee being the second-most consumed beverage on earth second only to water. While there is some evidence for the positive effects of a SMALL amount of caffeine (no matter what you may read on the internet, magazines, etc.), unfortunately it is often consumed in LARGER quantities for its stimulant effect which allows people to push themselves beyond their normal capacity. And since most caffeine products have no nutrients to support that increased activity it can be very depleting.
As with any drug, caffeine is highly addictive — requiring more and more to produce the same effect. It also creates the “fight or flight” stress response causing the body to become highly acidic - which is the basis for all disease (Read about The Importance of Acid/Alkaline Balance).
Common health problems are headaches and migraines, irritability, stomach and digestive problems, anxiety, high blood pressure, heart palpitations and heart disease. It over-stimulates the adrenals and then weakens them with persistent or chronic use causing hormonal imbalances and is a major factor in breast, uterine and prostrate cancer. It is a nervous system stimulant, affects blood sugar balance, restricts proper functioning of the liver, constricts arterial blood flow, depletes B vitamins, calcium, and potassium. And, with regards to coffee, it's REALLY dehydrating - and contains rancid oils from roasting the beans, irritating acids, and toxic chemicals used in the growing and marketing of it. In general, it wreaks havoc with our system and, because it causes the stress hormone cortisol to be released, it makes it very difficult to shed extra weight.
"In reality, caffeine doesn't give you energy - it gives you stress. I see so many people that try to eat well and exercise intelligently, but have trouble making progress because of a stress filled life. The total stress is cumulative, so coffee becomes fuel for the fire." ~ Scott Hagnas, Cross Fit Portland
Caffeine isn't all good - nor is it all bad, but it’s definitely a good idea to increase your awareness of it’s negative effects and reduce your consumption or avoid it altogether. (Personally, I often enjoy one cup of organic, low-acid, 1/2 caf coffee in the morning.) Or if you’d like a caffeine-free energy boost, try Eleuthero Root (aka Siberian Ginseng) or Ginseng Root Extract, or Peppermint or Licorice Root tea — all of which are non-toxic and actually GOOD for you and your adrenals! (Please note that none of these - or caffeine for that matter - are recommended for people with high blood pressure.)