How coffee habit is causing agonising health issues

Coffee can also cause heartburn, nervousness or insomnia.

In Summary
  • Harvard stated that according to experts, those who drink coffee should brew it with a paper filter.
  • This is because unfiltered coffee is associated with higher rates of early death, and can contain compounds that raise levels of LDL, or "bad" cholesterol.
A cup of coffee.
A cup of coffee.
Image: COURTESY

How many times have you opted for a strong black coffee on the go? Maybe its because you had a short night and not enough sleep to keep you up for your day, or maybe you are just a coffee lover.

Did you know that the coffee habit you have developed might be the reason you are battling an uncomfortable health problem?

Coffee, in addition to helping you feel less tired and more alert, also affects the balance of stomach acid levels.

According to the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, too much caffeine can also cause anxiety in people with panic or anxiety disorders.

According to PubMed Central, caffeine works by blocking the effects of adenosine, a brain chemical that makes you feel tired.

At the same time, it triggers the release of adrenaline, the "fight-or-flight" hormone associated with increased energy.

However, at higher doses, these effects may become more pronounced, leading to anxiety and nervousness.

PubMed Central adds that caffeine-induced anxiety disorder is one of four caffeine-related syndromes listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), which is published by the American Psychiatric Association.

Harvard stated that according to experts, those who drink coffee should brew it with a paper filter.

This is because unfiltered coffee is associated with higher rates of early death, and can contain compounds that raise levels of LDL, or "bad" cholesterol.

They also advise not going overboard with added cream or sugar.

Coffee can also cause heartburn, nervousness, or insomnia.

The study quoted by Harvard stated that caffeine has been found to have negative impacts on pregnancies.

This is why people who are expecting are usually asked to limit their coffee intake to 200 milligrams a day, the equivalent of about two cups.

PubMed Central warns that too much doses of caffeine may lead to loose stools and even diarrhea in some people.

Coffee’s laxative effect has been attributed to the release of gastrin, a hormone the stomach produces that speeds up activity in the colon.

What’s more, decaffeinated coffee has been shown to produce a similar response 

On the other hand, PubMed Central says some studies suggest that caffeinated beverages may worsen gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in some people.

This seems to be especially true of coffee.

Further, caffeine has been shown to raise blood pressure due to its stimulatory effect on the nervous system.

This may not be a major issue except elevated blood pressure is a risk factor for heart attack and stroke because it may damage arteries over time, restricting the flow of blood to your heart and brain.

At the end of the day, it is important to note that light-to-moderate caffeine intake seems to provide impressive health benefits in many people.

On the other hand, very high dosages may lead to side effects that interfere with day-to-day living and might even cause serious health issues.

WATCH: The latest videos from the Star