Health & Life

4 Warning Signs That Signal It’s Time to Cut Back on Coffee: #2 in Particular Warrants a Doctor’s Visit

Your body is trying to tell you something if you're experiencing these signs. Don't ignore them and keep drinking coffee, or you'll regret it later.

Administrator

20 April, 2024

Acid Reflux sufferers

If you find yourself suffering from acid reflux, then you may want to reconsider your coffee habit. That’s because the caffeine in coffee can trigger acid reflux symptoms by relaxing the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing stomach acid to splash back up into the esophagus.

Frequent acid reflux is not only uncomfortable, but over time it can lead to conditions such as esophagitis, esophageal stricture, and esophageal cancer.

Trouble sleeping or insomnia

If you’re having trouble sleeping, you should cut back on coffee. That’s because the caffeine in coffee keeps you more alert by blocking receptors in your brain called adenosine, which promotes sleep. So, if you’re already having trouble sleeping, drinking coffee can make it worse.

Additionally, because of its high caffeine content, consuming coffee 6 hours or less before going to bed has been linked to disrupted sleep patterns and increased insomnia.

People with high blood pressure

The caffeine in coffee can cause a temporary increase in blood pressure. While it’s not clear exactly why coffee causes this spike, some researchers believe that caffeine may block a hormone that helps your arteries relax. This can lead to increased blood pressure, so if you have high blood pressure, you should avoid consuming caffeinated beverages like coffee, especially right before activities that naturally raise your blood pressure, such as exercise, weightlifting, or heavy manual labor.

Anxiety disorders

The caffeine in coffee may mimic some of the physical sensations of anxiety, such as increased heart rate, sweating, and rapid breathing. And if you already have an anxiety disorder, this can make your symptoms worse.

Caffeine use may also contribute to anxiety in other ways. For example, it can disrupt sleep, which can then make you feel more tired and anxious.

Frequently asked questions

Caffeine in coffee blocks adenosine receptors in your brain, which promotes alertness and can disrupt your sleep patterns. Consuming coffee within six hours of bedtime is linked to increased insomnia and disrupted sleep. If you’re struggling with sleep or insomnia, reducing coffee or avoiding it close to bedtime is recommended.

Coffee contains caffeine, which can cause a temporary spike in blood pressure. While the exact mechanism is unclear, researchers believe caffeine may block hormones that help arteries relax. If you have high blood pressure, it’s best to avoid caffeinated beverages, especially before activities that naturally raise blood pressure, as this could lead to further increases in blood pressure.

Yes, caffeine in coffee can mimic physical symptoms of anxiety, including increased heart rate, sweating, and rapid breathing. For those with pre-existing anxiety disorders, caffeine can exacerbate these symptoms. Additionally, caffeine’s impact on sleep can contribute to feelings of anxiety and tiredness.