Caffeine Craving

It’s finally Friday, and thoughts of my fun weekend plans are making it very hard to concentrate on finishing up my week’s to do list. I head to Starbucks for my second cup of java today (oh, did I mention it is only 11am) To say I’m a coffee addict is an understatement, and as all my friends would attest to, I’m certainly not as chipper of a person unless I have had my morning jolt of caffeine.

Recently, I have been hearing mixed reviews about a “caffeine addicted society” – a so called phenomenon in which our society has become absolutely hooked on an overdose of caffeine each day, thanks in large part to the rise of the Starbucks empire. As a nutrition nut, I decided to dig deeper to see what I could find out about this trend, and thus offer advice to all my caffeine addicted DASHERS.

Here is what I found:

To better understand the effects of caffeine on our bodies, here is a little summary of how your daily cup of joe and/or caffeinated soda or tea effects your body.

When you drink caffeinated drinks like coffee, tea and most sodas, the caffeine in the drink causes increased neuron activity in your brain, which in turn results in the release of a hormone we all know well – adrenalin. This intense rush of adrenalin is what will keep you awake and alert, but can also make your heart race depending on how your specific body reacts to the amount of caffeine you drank. As the adrenal high wears off, you often start to feel tired, irritated, confused and may experience a headache. This is your body’s way of telling you that the adrenal high (similar to a high you would experience with some drugs, alcohol, or smoking) is dwindling and it wants more NOW! Thus, you reach for another soda, coffee, or tea and the roller coaster starts all over again.

Overtime, this constant roller coaster of highs and lows can have a negative effect on your overall health including some of the symptoms below:

• The adrenal glands pump out too many stress hormones which causes your body to be “stressed” for up to 18 hours after you first cup of caffeine
• The liver releases higher amounts of sugar and fat into the blood stream
• The pancreas produces too much insulin in order to remove the excess blood sugar which in turn can be stored as fat
• Muscle tension is increased
• The blood vessels constrict, reducing the flow of oxygen to important areas like your brain (up to 30%) and your extremities
• Digestion and the immune system are impaired or suppressed
• The production of DHEA and other anti-aging hormones is decreased
• Cortisol and other stress hormones are elevated
• Loss of calcium and magnesium in your bones overtime
• Stained teeth and erosion of teeth and gums

So now that the bad news is out on the table, here are my suggestions to avoid such harmful effects on your body:

Choose Decaf beverages over Caffeinated coffee, sodas, or tea (if you can’t cut the caffeine all at once, then try to wean yourself off of it over time by mixing decaf coffee grounds with regular, slowly increasing the amount of decaf over several weeks till you are no longer using caffeinated coffee anymore)

Drink plenty of water - always follow a caffeinated beverage with a large glass of water (a glass before and after would be even better!)

Switch to green tea – it will give you energy and is packed with antioxidants

Eat cinnamon-flavored candy - especially the 'extra hot' varieties which can act as stimulant without the side effects of caffeine. Chew on a couple of pieces when that craving hits and you can still enjoy a pick-me-up!

Try ginseng supplements - ginseng contains natural stimulants that can increase circulation and may even boost the metabolism. It's an herbal supplement that offers many positive health benefits, and can be taken daily for optimal benefits

Go for a run - or, squeeze in a mid-day workout. Running, jogging, or even taking a brisk walk are all great ways to freshen up and stimulate circulation. The fresh air and increased activity will keep you awake and the routine can count as part of your daily workout.

Sip on herbal coffee - this 'gourmet' coffee is caffeine free and can help you break away from your coffee addiction without missing out on the robust flavor. Teecino is one type of caffeine-free herbal coffee that also offers a natural energy boost from nutrients instead of caffeine. You can choose from seven gourmet flavors to make it a real treat

Get MORE SLEEP – with 7-8 hours of sleep, you will be less likely to need a caffeine boost upon waking in the morning

If you absolutely refuse to give up your daily caffeine fix (and believe me, I of all people understand how difficult it may be), then at least make it a point to only drink a caffeinated drink every other day (because caffeine can stay in your body for up to 24 hours!). That way, your body can have a least a small window or break from caffeine in which it can regulate all your insulin and hormone levels before you drink more caffeine.

So there it is - the important facts you should know about the caffeinated drink right in front of you – it’s up to you whether you want to kick your habit, but at least give several of the options above a try! As for me, I’m switching to green tea and/or decaf coffee immediately!!!