Personal Struggles with Coffee

For me, coffee has negative consequences. Despite my habit of consuming just one cup each morning, I find myself grappling with various adverse effects. Here are a few observations:

1. Nail Biting: When I regularly drink coffee, I develop a compulsion to bite my nails. This habit vanishes when I stop consuming coffee.
2. Weight Fluctuations: I noticed that my weight decreases when I eliminate coffee and tea from my diet. This realization occurred three decades ago when a naturopath recommended that I avoid these beverages entirely. Initially, I lost an impressive 7.5 kilograms weekly. However, as soon as I indulged in coffee and tea, my weight loss significantly slowed.
3. Caffeine's Impact on Digestion: A friend recently mentioned that coffee can impede bowel movements. This got me thinking—could my weight gain be linked to my coffee consumption?
4. Cholesterol Levels: Drinking unfiltered coffee, such as Americanos, has been shown to elevate cholesterol levels due to compounds like cafestol and kahweol.
5. Blood Pressure Concerns: I’ve noticed that my blood pressure readings are notably higher after consuming coffee, a fact that doctors have confirmed.
6. Mood Swings: Recently, I’ve felt increasingly downcast, a stark contrast to my normally upbeat disposition. I began to suspect that my morning coffee might be contributing to an afternoon slump.
7. Sleep Disruptions: Despite limiting myself to a single cup in the morning, coffee seems to interfere with my sleep patterns.

In my quest for unbiased research beyond the influence of the coffee industry, I stumbled upon a compelling study from Korea.

Korean Study Insights

The findings indicated a correlation between high caffeine intake and various negative outcomes, such as increased weight, lower academic performance, and heightened symptoms of depression and insomnia. The research suggested that caffeine consumption is linked to a greater severity of depression and insomnia among adolescents.

Video Description: This video discusses how coffee consumption may contribute to depression, exploring the science behind caffeine's effects on mental health.

Nutritional Absorption Issues

One significant downside of coffee is its interference with nutrient absorption, particularly calcium. Excessive caffeine consumption can lead to reduced bone density and, ultimately, osteoporosis.

In another study that focused on women with fibrocystic breast disease, researchers found a positive association between caffeine intake and the likelihood of developing this condition. Women consuming more than 500 mg of caffeine daily exhibited a 2.3-fold increase in risk.

Reevaluating Coffee's Reputation

The Korean study aligns with my personal experiences, suggesting that coffee might indeed contribute to weight gain, lower academic performance, and depressive symptoms. While many articles claim that coffee consumption alleviates depression, I argue that the constant stimulation from caffeine can disrupt natural body functions, potentially leading to a cycle of reliance and emotional downturns.

Caffeine and Heart Health

The impact of coffee on heart health has also been explored. Some studies indicate a connection between coffee consumption and an increased risk of coronary heart disease, particularly in men. The nuances of these findings highlight the need for more comprehensive research, especially from non-English speaking countries where outcomes may differ significantly.

Breaking Free from Coffee

For yet another time, I have decided to quit coffee. Yet, during stressful moments, I still find myself yearning for that comforting cup. I successfully quit smoking in 1998, perhaps due to the severe health consequences I experienced, prompting me to consider if I should adopt a similar fear of coffee.

People’s sensitivity to coffee varies widely. The overwhelming amount of positive research surrounding coffee consumption raises red flags, reminiscent of the tobacco industry's past efforts to downplay the risks associated with smoking.

As an alternative, I have replaced my morning coffee with a spiced warm banana milk, which has effectively quelled my cravings.

In closing, I pose the question: "Does coffee make you depressed?"

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