Caffeine/Coffee Avoidance

See the link between Trichotillomania and Sugar Avoidance.

Preventicular contractions can be caused by caffeine.

Caffeine raises the production of the adrenal hormone cortisol, which causes the blood vessels to constrict and the heart to pump harder, which leads to high blood pressure.  Studies have shown that coffee seems to worsen the symptoms of persons with high blood pressure, and can nullify the effect of high blood pressure medications, making expensive drugs useless.

An increased risk of developing hypertension was associated with drinking five or more cups of coffee per day in a large study of white, male, former medical students followed for an average of 33 years. [Arch Intern Med 2002;162(6): pp.657-62]

When taken in larger amounts, caffeine is a diuretic that causes the kidneys to remove more water from the body.

Since coffee stimulates gastric acid secretion, moderation in coffee consumption is often recommended.

A single dose of caffeinated coffee (but not decaffeinated coffee) can increase intraocular pressure in persons with glaucoma. [Ann Pharmacother 2002;36(6): pp.992-5]

Coffee should absolutely be avoided during breast feeding.  Fetuses and newborns cannot metabolize caffeine in their livers, so it remains in their bodies for up to four days, stimulating their nervous system the entire time, causing irritability and sleeping difficulty.

Long-term and complete avoidance of caffeine reduces symptoms of fibrocystic disease.  Cutting out coffee has been found to generally reduce or even eliminate the lumps and pain of fibrocystic breasts.  Some of coffee's components have a mild estrogen-like effect on the body.  Since estrogen is responsible for premenstrual syndrome and breast tenderness, this may be one reason why coffee aggravates these conditions.

Methylxanthines are a component of coffee, chocolate, black tea, and cola drinks.  Some women's breast tissue seems to produce cysts as a result of caffeine intake.  In one study, 97% of women who completely avoided methylxanthines showed reduction in size and sensitivity of breast cysts.  Positive results were seen after 4 months of caffeine avoidance.

Human studies have found an increase in the rate of miscarriages, stillbirths, breech births and low birth weight when given in doses greater than 300mg (an amount equal to three cups of coffee) per day.  Pregnant women are also three times slower to metabolize caffeine than nonpregnant women.  Therefore, it is recommended that pregnant women consume less than this amount – in fact some doctors say that coffee should be completely avoided during pregnancy and breast feeding.

Fetuses and newborns cannot metabolize caffeine in their livers, so it remains in their bodies for up to four days, stimulating their nervous system the entire time, causing irritability and sleeping difficulty.  In addition, the use of large amounts of caffeine by a mother during pregnancy may cause problems with the heart rhythm of the fetus.

Studies in animals have linked high blood levels of caffeine to premature birth, delivery complications, low birth weight and birth defects when given in very large doses (amounts equal to 12 to 24 cups of coffee a day), and with bone growth problems when given in smaller doses.

Several studies have linked caffeine consumption to a higher incidence of PMS symptoms including tension, irritability, anxiety, fatigue, sleep disturbance and breast tenderness.  Some of coffee's components have a mild estrogen-like effect on the body.  Since estrogen is responsible for premenstrual syndrome and breast tenderness, this may be one reason why coffee aggravates these conditions.

Research has indicated that women who drank more than one cup of coffee a day reduced their likelihood of conceiving by 50%, and men who drank two to three cups of coffee a day had an increased incidence of abnormally formed sperm.  Having five cups a day appears to make sperm sluggish as well.

Some substances – including caffeine and pesticides – easily cross the placenta from the woman's body to her fetus.  Their impact on pregnancy is not entirely understood.  Caffeine stays in a pregnant woman's body much longer than in non-pregnant healthy adults, and in newborns even longer.  A study of 3,135 pregnant women showed that moderate-to-heavy caffeine users (those who had at least 151mg daily) were more likely to have late first- or second-trimester miscarriages compared with nonusers or light users.  Light caffeine use (1 to 150mg daily) increased risk for miscarriage only in women who had already a history of them.  Coffee was the main source of caffeine in moderate-to-heavy users.  Light users were more likely to get caffeine from tea and other sources.

In addition researchers have reported that higher caffeine intake may be related to higher levels of homocysteine.  This may in turn contribute to the increased risk of miscarriage in moderate coffee drinkers.

Caffeine raises adrenaline levels and heavy coffee consumption can lead to a state of adrenal gland exhaustion, where the adrenal glands are no longer able to adequately respond to stress by releasing enough adrenaline.

Avoid stimulants such as caffeine, alcohol and sugar, which may interfere with melatonin production.

Coffee, soda and other caffeinated beverages may irritate the bladder lining and are not recommended.

Research has indicated that men who drank two to three cups of coffee a day had an increased incidence of abnormally formed sperm.  Having five cups a day appears to make sperm sluggish as well.

Coffee can cause adrenal insufficiency which in turn can lead to panic attacks.

When painkillers or caffeine are taken daily, the drugs may lose effectiveness over time and headaches can become more frequent.  When stopping the medication, a rebound headache can occur.  Rebound headaches are frequently caused by dietary caffeine.

Both migraine and cluster headaches are associated with heavy caffeine intake, and caffeine withdrawal can cause a headache resembling a migraine.  However, many people find that caffeine will help reduce the severity of a cluster headache.  In some of these cases it is suspected that heavy use, temporarily suspended, causes a headache which can be aborted by renewed caffeine consumption.  Caffeine is a constrictor of dilated arteries and should best be avoided as a dietary staple in vascular headaches.

According to some, no caffeinated beverages – or even decaffeinated ones – should ever be taken, as these deteriorate into homogentisic acid which is known to be excreted in larger quantities in schizophrenics than in others.  Some include colas, tea, coffee, chocolate, and caffeine-containing medications in the list of things to avoid.

Avoid all soft drinks, coffee, tea, artificial colors and additives.

Caffeine leaches calcium from the bones.

Intake of diuretics (chiefly coffee and alcohol) should be reduced/avoided as far as possible.

A study of 84,484 patients showed a correlation between bone fractures and heavy coffee consumption.

Research has shown that drinking coffee causes a significant loss of several vitamins and minerals, including vitamins B and C, calcium, iron, and zinc.

Research has shown that drinking coffee causes a significant loss of several vitamins and minerals, including vitamins B and C, calcium, iron, and zinc.

Research has shown that drinking coffee causes a significant loss of several vitamins and minerals, including vitamins B and C, calcium, iron, and zinc.

Research has shown that drinking coffee causes a significant loss of several vitamins and minerals, including vitamins B and C, calcium, iron, and zinc.

Research has shown that drinking coffee causes a significant loss of several vitamins and minerals, including vitamins B and C, calcium, iron, and zinc.

Research has shown that drinking coffee causes a significant loss of several vitamins and minerals, including vitamins B and C, calcium, iron, and zinc.

Research has shown that drinking coffee causes a significant loss of several vitamins and minerals, including vitamins B and C, calcium, iron, and zinc.

A study published September, 2004 in the journal Urology suggests people prone to kidney stones should limit their intake of caffeine and cut down on the amount of coffee they drink.  People who consumed caffeine in amounts equal to two cups of coffee showed elevated levels of calcium in their urine, which can increase the risk of developing stones, especially for people prone to stones.  "Caffeine consumption may modestly increase risk of calcium oxalate stone formation," concluded the researchers.

Caffeine and medications may be the cause of excess sweating.  Reduce your caffeine intake and note if there are changes when you stop taking medication.

People suffering from insomnia often have elevated caffeine levels compared to normal sleepers.  They may have as much as 40% of the caffeine they consumed in the morning still in their system at bedtime. [Psychopharmacology 1995; 121: pp.494-502]

Regardless of which form of restless leg syndrome you may be having, it is important to avoid caffeine and sugar during the day because both of these substances will increase the intensity of restless leg syndrome.

A study published in the journal "Archives of Internal Medicine" in 2006 indicates that coffee may greatly reduce the risk of liver damage in those who consume alcohol regularly.  Every daily cup of coffee reduced the incidence of cirrhosis, a condition that destroys liver tissue, by 22%, according to researchers at the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program.  However, Dr. Arthur Klatsky, the leader of the study, said the results "should not be interpreted as giving a license to drink without worry, because of all the other problems connected with drinking."  adding, "the only proper advice is to drink less."

Coffee, including decaf, contains significant amounts of Vitamin K which is an important factor for blood coagulation.  People at high risk for blood clots, strokes, and heart attacks should avoid coffee and decaf for this reason.

Caffeinated coffee and cola drinks are an area of controversy.  These may upset your stomach but on the other hand the caffeine will assist with vessel constriction.  If you're used to a morning coffee, it may help.  Coffee or tea can make your hangover twice as bad by dehydrating your body.  Herbal infusions such as dandelion tea, or a fruit smoothie, or even simply hot water, will be much kinder to your body.

Studies linking coffee consumption with cancer are conflicting and inconclusive at this point, but there is a suggestion of a higher incidence of cancers of the pancreas, ovaries, bladder, and kidneys in coffee drinkers.

The consumption of coffee, tea and cola were all positively correlated with a higher risk of NHL.

Studies linking coffee consumption with cancer are conflicting and inconclusive at this point, but there is a suggestion of a higher incidence of cancers of the pancreas, ovaries, bladder, and kidneys in coffee drinkers.

Studies linking coffee consumption with cancer are conflicting and inconclusive at this point, but there is a suggestion of a higher incidence of cancers of the pancreas, ovaries, bladder, and kidneys in coffee drinkers.

Studies linking coffee consumption with cancer are conflicting and inconclusive at this point, but there is a suggestion of a higher incidence of cancers of the pancreas, ovaries, bladder, and kidneys in coffee drinkers.