Healthy Eating Guide – Caffeine

You bet your latte there’s a whole bunch of people out there who can’t imagine starting their day without a cup of coffee or finishing a meal without a mug of tea . Yet other people turn into nervous, trembling wrecks with just one cup of java .It affects all of us differently .Studies on caffeine have failed to show any conclusive link to health risks like cancer or heart disease .And even though caffeine seems to have a reasonably clean bill of health, there are still some negative side effects that can do you harm .Caffeine can cause insomnia, nervousness and irritability . Just check the level of your boss’ coffee cup the next time you get hollered at . Because it’s a diuretic, coffee can also lead to dehydration .

Caffeine may boost blood pressure in those not accustomed to it, but only temporarily . It also increases stomach acid production, which can contribute to heartburn and ulcers . As long as you don’t suffer from any side effects, you certainly can enjoy a few cups of coffee or tea a day without doing harm .
How much is safe to drink
It’s recommended that you have no more than 400 mg of caffeine a day . This equals about 24 oz . (750 mL) of coffee .Be aware that caffeine is also present in cola, chocolate and some cold and headache medications
You bet your latte there’s a whole bunch of people out there who can’t imagine starting their day without a cup of coffee or finishing a meal without a mug of tea . Yet other people turn into nervous, trembling wrecks with just one cup of java .It affects all of us differently .Studies on caffeine have failed to show any conclusive link to health risks like cancer or heart disease .And even though caffeine seems to have a reasonably clean bill of health, there are still some negative side effects that can do you harm .Caffeine can cause insomnia, nervousness and irritability . Just check the level of your boss’ coffee cup the next time you get hollered at . Because it’s a diuretic, coffee can also lead to dehydration .
Caffeine may boost blood pressure in those not accustomed to it, but only temporarily . It also increases stomach acid production, which can contribute to heartburn and ulcers . As long as you don’t suffer from any side effects, you certainly can enjoy a few cups of coffee or tea a day without doing harm .
How much is safe to drink
It’s recommended that you have no more than 400 mg of caffeine a day . This equals about 24 oz . (750 mL) of coffee .Be aware that caffeine is also present in cola, chocolate and some cold and headache medications

* Do you frequently use coffee as an energy booster? If you feel you won’t have enough energy to get through the day without your caffeine fix, then it’s worth looking at your lifestyle to see what might be draining your energy levels .Maybe you need more sleep, more water, better eating habits or a regular eating pattern to naturally increase your stamina .
* Do you replace other important drinks with coffee and miss out on fluids and other nutrients? Coffee or tea won’t harm your diet as long as it doesn’t crowd out other important fluids like water, juice and milk .

Cutting Back on Caffeine

If you decide to cut back on the amount of coffee, tea or cola you drink, do it gradually . If you cut down too quickly you may suffer withdrawal headaches . Try using half regular and half decaffeinated . Substituting caffeine-free herbal teas and hot water with lemon can also make the transition easier .

Caffeine and Exercise

Some research studies have shown that caffeine can improve performance during endurance exercise . All that may be needed is one to two cups (250 to 500 mL) one hour before exercise . On the negative side, as we mentioned caffeine acts as a diuretic, so it can make proper hydration tough . Plus it gives some people the jitters and increases their nervousness, hindering their performance . Caffeine containing beverages consumed before exercise should be used in moderation and in addition to other fluids, not as a substitute for them .

Health Benefits of Tea

Research has shown that there may indeed be benefits to tea drinking . Both black and green tea contain polyphenols, potentially beneficial substances . There is some evidence that tea may protect against heart disease and some cancers, however the evidence is not yet conclusive . If you don’t have a strong preference for coffee, you may gain some benefits from drinking tea instead . And you may decide to drink green tea since it appears to be more potent than other teas.