Despite the recent boom in popularity of coffee houses and drive-thru java stations, coffee drinking may be having a negative impact on your health; especially for mature women. Women are faced with new health challenges as they age. Here are the top seven reasons for limiting coffee and caffeine to improve health and ease aging symptoms.
1. Coffee drinking is associated with increased risk of heart attack. Heart disease is the number one cause of death for women in the U.S. and studies show that coffee consumption may be linked to an increase in blood pressure, cholesterol and inflammation; all risk factors for heart disease.
2. Coffee interferes with mineral absorption. Studies show that caffeine, along with other ingredients found in coffee and decaf coffee can reduce iron availability up to 50 percent. Caffeine also interferes with your body’s ability to absorb calcium, magnesium and potassium. This can affect energy and strength.
3. Coffee consumption may lead to osteoporosis. Low bone density increases a woman’s chance for developing osteoporosis. Studies suggest that women with high caffeine intake experience higher rates of bone loss. The high acidity of both regular and decaffeinated coffee decreases the body’s ability to absorb calcium, potassium, magnesium and iron essential for strong bones.
4. Coffee drinking is associated with increased incidence of hot flashes. Women who drink less coffee report lower rates of hot flashes during menopause. Coffee drinking can increase the intensity of hot flashes during the night.
5. Caffeine negatively interacts with our hormones. Research suggests that postmenopausal women who take hormones (bio-identical or synthetic) and also drink coffee have an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
6. Caffeine increases breast pain and fibrocystic breasts in susceptible women. Studies show a link between caffeine consumption and fibrocystic breasts (non-cancerous lumps in the breast tissue). Women who experience regular breast pain decreased their pain by omitting caffeine from their diet.
7. Caffeine may affect sleep. Mature bodies metabolize caffeine more slowly. Caffeine can still be in your blood stream up to 18 hours after consumption. That one-cup of coffee in the early morning may still interfere with your sleep cycle.
Try Teeccino or Dandy Blend as excellent coffee substitutes. Teeccino is brewed like coffee and available at Whole Foods. Dandy Blend comes in an instant form and makes aâ¯delightfully healthy frappuccino! It is available in my office.
Are you tired of just wishing for better health? Overwhelmed when thinking about what to do next? Ready to make positive changes and live a more vibrant life? Invest in yourself. Women’s Health Advantage is ready to help.
For more information, please contact Jill Redfern RN, enzyme and digestive health specialist at 661-310-7373 or womenshealthadvantage@msn.com .