5 Surprising Things Happen After You Stop Drinking Coffee

5 Surprising Things Happen After You Stop Drinking Coffee
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George Citroner
4/20/2023
Updated:
4/27/2023
0:00
Coffee (and the caffeine it contains) gives pleasure and certain health benefits to countless people, and many see nothing wrong with several cups per day, which could increase health risks for some. Drinking less coffee, or eliminating caffeine from your diet, may help improve sleep quality, reduce anxiety, and even reduce headaches.

Caffeine Is a Psychoactive Substance

Caffeine is the world’s most widely consumed psychoactive substance. It’s considered psychoactive because it affects alertness and our mental state, and it’s used daily by at least 85 percent of Americans.
It has addictive effects for some people, affecting the same parts of the brain as cocaine—but in different ways. Yet, according to a review in the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, caffeine use doesn’t fit the profile of an addictive drug.

“Its intake does no harm to the individual or to society and its users are not compelled to consume it, though cessation of regular use may result in symptoms such as headache and lethargy,” the review authors wrote.

Regardless, millions of people start their day with a cup of coffee and rely on it to keep them going throughout the day.

However, there are many benefits to reducing your coffee intake or giving up caffeine altogether, and it can be a great way to improve your health and well-being.

“Like any recreational drug, living without caffeine is always healthier,” Dr. Theodore Strange, chair of medicine at Staten Island University Hospital, part of Northwell Health in New York, told The Epoch Times.

Improved Sleep Quality

One of the most significant benefits of quitting caffeine is improved sleep.
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, caffeine has a half-life of up to five hours. A chemical’s half-life is how long it takes a dose of it to be reduced by half in your body.

This means that if you consume 100 milligrams of caffeine (roughly one cup of coffee), after five hours, you’ll still have 50 milligrams of caffeine in your system. It will take another five hours to reach 25 milligrams.

This means that “afternoon pick-me-up” could still be affecting you by bedtime that evening.

Eliminating caffeine from your diet means you’ll likely fall asleep more easily and stay asleep longer, which should help improve energy and productivity throughout your day.

Reduced Anxiety

Caffeine is a stimulant that can cause an increase in anxiety and jitteriness. Reducing intake or quitting caffeine entirely could reduce your likelihood of experiencing these symptoms and help you feel calmer and more relaxed.
A research study conducted with college-age participants found that caffeine intake was associated with depressive symptoms and higher levels of anxiety.
A review from the National Institutes of Health concluded that caffeine can cause anxiety symptoms in normal individuals, especially in those who have preexisting anxiety disorders. The review also found that caffeine could induce psychosis in normal individuals who consume caffeine at toxic doses of more than 1,200 milligrams.

Reduced Risk of High Blood Pressure and Other Diseases

Caffeine can have a negative effect on your health, especially when used in large amounts.
“Caffeine may cause a short but dramatic increase in your blood pressure, even if you don’t have high blood pressure,” Dr. Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, a cardiologist at the Mayo Clinic, said in a statement.
High levels of caffeine can cause cardiac issues, including heart palpitations, and even increase the risk of heart disease. Evidence shows a strong link between high caffeine intake and headaches, due to how it can make blood vessels in the brain swell.

Strange added that a dose of 400 milligrams or less per day, or about four cups of coffee, is probably safe, but more than this can cause tachycardia, jitters, and insomnia.

“Which could have effects on one’s health, especially if someone also has heart disease or is on medications that may exacerbate effects of caffeine,” he said.

Eliminating coffee from your diet can help reduce your risk of these health problems and promote overall better health.

Better Hydration

Caffeine is a diuretic, which means that it can increase the frequency of urination and lead to dehydration.
Eliminating caffeine from your diet can help you stay better hydrated, which can improve your overall health and well-being.
Being dehydrated can adversely affect health, and a decrease of as little as 1.5 percent of your body’s water can cause symptoms. These range from a simple headache to a life-threatening illness, such as heatstroke.

Improved Digestion

Coffee can affect stomach acid secretions and may cause gastroesophageal reflux, commonly called heartburn.
This effect is also associated with a possible increase in digestive problems that include poor digestion, discomfort, nausea, and ulcers.
Reducing caffeine intake can improve digestion and alleviate these symptoms, leading to better overall gastrointestinal health.

People Who Shouldn’t Use Caffeine

Although caffeine and coffee consumption are generally safe for most people, there are some groups of people who should avoid or limit their intake.

Pregnant Women

High doses of caffeine during pregnancy have been linked to an increased risk of miscarriage, premature birth, and increased risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children when they reach 4 to 11 years old.

People With Anxiety Disorders

Caffeine can increase anxiety and jitteriness in some individuals, which can exacerbate symptoms of anxiety disorders.

People With Heart Conditions

Caffeine can cause blood pressure to spike, which may be dangerous for those living with an underlying heart condition. Research also shows that caffeine can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation.

People With Caffeine Sensitivity

Some people have a genetic predisposition to be more sensitive to caffeine, making them much more likely to experience adverse reactions such as anxiety or insomnia when they drink even moderate amounts.

Children

Children are smaller and so are more sensitive to the effects of caffeine than adults.
“Caffeine-containing foods and beverages can have effects on the body and mind that interfere with every aspect of what children need to thrive,” Columbia pediatrician Dr. David Buchholz said in a statement.
He also said that “there is no known safe amount” of caffeine for any child age 11 and younger.

Cutting Caffeine and Withdrawal Symptoms

Strange explained that the symptoms of caffeine withdrawal can be different for every person.

“Common symptoms include headache, fatigue, low energy, irritability, anxiety, poor concentration, depressed mood, tremors, and sleeping issues,” he said, cautioning that the symptoms of quitting caffeine abruptly can last from a few days to a few weeks.

Strange emphasized that the benefits of living without caffeine include better sleep, better focus and concentration, and improved blood pressure, among others.

George Citroner reports on health and medicine, covering topics that include cancer, infectious diseases, and neurodegenerative conditions. He was awarded the Media Orthopaedic Reporting Excellence (MORE) award in 2020 for a story on osteoporosis risk in men.
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