Examining the health effects of coffee and tea: Are they bad for you?

People often don’t start their day without their favourite beverages: a cup of tea or a coffee. It feels energising, and refreshing and acts as a mood booster, we consume these drinks twice or thrice on a daily basis, sometimes to just quickly cure a headache or to eradicate sleep between work, but considering the amount of our intake of coffee or tea have we ever thought these tasty drinks were healthy? 

Is coffee and tea bad for you? Understanding the health impacts

Caffeine is a natural stimulant that is found in tea, coffee, and cacao plants. Caffeine functions by reviving the brain and central nervous system, helping our body to stay alert and to avoid tiredness. 80% of the world’s population indulges in the consumption of caffeine. Caffeine functions by reaching the liver and becomes a compound that can affect the brain, by blocking the effects of adenosine. Adenosine increases during the day making you feel drowsy and wanting to sleep. 

Caffeine helps you stay awake by connecting to adenosine receptors in the brain without activating them. This blocks the effects of adenosine.

Caffeine is also known to increase blood adrenaline levels and the activities of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine. All these take action quickly and help generate alertness and focus, therefore we often call it a ‘psychoactive drug’.

Drinking coffee or tea can help in many ways:

1. Boosts brainpower
2. Act as an antioxidant

Although coffee and tea have become a part of our daily lives, help us in so many ways and most of us cannot live without them, but anything in excess is bad, let us see why is coffee and tea bad for you if consumed more than what is required.

Why coffee and tea might be considered bad for your health

Tea or coffee is widely consumed as the first thing in the morning. Since ancient times tea plants have been used for medicinal purposes as well but to start your day with tea/ coffee or consume it in excess is certainly not a good idea. Here is why coffee and tea might be considered bad for your health:

1. Consuming caffeine on a daily basis may also promote headaches, migraine, and high blood pressure in some individuals.
2. Tea or coffee can also react with some medications and may hinder the results of the medicines.
3. Caffeine also increases blood flow to the kidneys and sodium excretion, making it a ‘diuretic’, causing you to urinate more often.
4. There are also side effects that are linked to the excess intake of tea or coffee which include restlessness, anxiety, tremors, irregular heartbeat, and sleep disruption.
5. Pregnant women should limit their coffee or tea intake. Caffeine can easily cross the placenta, which can increase the risk of miscarriage or low birth weight. 
6. Coffee and tea can be an obstacle in the absorption of some important nutrients, such as iron and calcium. It is recommended to drink these beverages one hour before your meals and strictly avoid bedtime tea or coffee.

How to avoid the negative effects of coffee and tea: Tips and alternatives

The key to enjoying coffee and tea's benefits is moderation. Here are some tips to avoid the negative effects of coffee and tea:

1. It is recommended to consume tea or coffee correctly at optimum levels which is 400mg for normal people and 200mg for pregnant women.
2. Drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated helps our body process caffeine, dehydration on the other hand can cause adverse effects of caffeine.
3. Drink tea or coffee during the early hours of the daytime (not necessarily early mornings), this can help to wear off the caffeine effect before you go off to sleep.
4. Coffee and tea can be substituted with other healthier options such as:

• Lemon water with one tablespoon of honey
• A decoction of tulsi and ginger
• Fruit juices
• Turmeric milk
• Caffeine-free herbal teas like chamomile or peppermint
• Mix vegetable juices
• Cinnamon water or sauf water
• Methi or jeera water

Conclusion

Tea and coffee are not your enemies, but the excess of it is. In moderation, these can be a tasty part of your routine. Remember, mindfulness, awareness, smart choices, and experimentation can surely help you to have your favourite beverages without harming your body or causing any side effects. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is coffee and tea bad for your health?

Coffee and tea is not entirely bad for your health. It is in fact good in optimum levels and helps you function properly by energising and refreshing your mind, but anything in excess is bad. Consuming more than what is required can cause more harm than good. Being mindful of your favourite beverage intake can surely help.

Why is coffee and tea considered bad for you?

Here are some reasons why coffee and tea is considered bad for you:

1. Consuming caffeine on a daily basis may also promote headaches, migraine, and high blood pressure in some individuals.
2. Caffeine also increases blood flow to the kidneys and sodium excretion, making it a diuretic causing you to urinate more often
3. There are side effects linked to the excess intake of tea or coffee which include restlessness, anxiety, tremors, irregular heartbeat, and sleep disruption.

Can drinking coffee and tea negatively affect your kidneys?

Excess consumption of coffee and tea can certainly affect your kidneys. Here is how:

1. Caffeine can cause increased blood pressure, which can be problematic for kidney health if you are suffering from hypertension.
2. For those suffering from kidney stones, coffee may be a risk factor.
3. Caffeine also increases blood flow to the kidneys and sodium excretion, making it a diuretic causing you to urinate more often.

Are there any health benefits to drinking coffee and tea?

Coffee and tea, if consumed in moderation can pave way for health benefits:

1. Boosts brain power
2. Helps to feel energised and refreshing
3. Contains antioxidants to reduce cell damage

How much coffee and tea is safe to consume daily?

Both beverages can be consumed 400gms (which is 4 cups) daily, if you have no history of any diseases or infections, for pregnant women it is recommended to consume 200gms.

What are some tips to avoid the negative effects of coffee and tea?

Some tips to avoid the negative effects of coffee and tea are as follows:

1. Consuming only 400 gms of caffeine per day and not more.
2. Stay hydrated
3. Coffee and tea can be substituted with other healthier options
4. Drink these beverages in the early hours of the day