Healthy Eating & Caffeine

Healthy Eating & Caffeine
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Eating a healthy diet may mean that you should reduce your normal habit of consuming large amounts of caffeine products. However, you may still eat a moderate amount of caffeine and remain a healthy eater, but it depends on your body's reaction to caffeine. It depends on how much, how often and what kind of caffeine products you are eating and drinking. If you have a healthy diet and lifestyle that includes plenty of raw foods and exercise, you may not need any caffeine for your energy.

Caffeine Side Effects

The Mayo Clinic states that the average person can tolerate 200 to 300mg of caffeine each day, which equates to about two to four cups of prepared coffee. Each person may have a different tolerance level to caffeine, but if you experience side effects, reduce how much you consume. People who rarely consume caffeine are usually more sensitive to its effects. Side effects of caffeine include irritability, anxiety, sleeplessness, muscle spasms, headache, nausea and irregular heartbeat. A potential way to reduce its side effects is to drink one glass of filtered water for every cup of coffee or caffeine beverage you drink.

Coffee

Coffee is known to stimulate your central nervous system and provide you with energy. Each 8 oz. mug of coffee provides you with 95 to 200mg of caffeine. If you are looking for the healthiest type of coffee, try freshly brewed organic coffee. Coffee is healthiest if you drink it when freshly brewed, because it has less exposure to air, which tends to oxidize it. Store your coffee beans in the refrigerator or freezer and grind it just before brewing.

Soft Drinks

Soft drinks generally contain 35 to 55mg of caffeine per 12 oz. serving. Caffeine-free versions of soft drinks are available, but regardless of caffeine content, soft drinks are not healthy and should be avoided whenever possible to maintain a healthy diet.

Tea

Black tea and green tea have different health effects. Black tea contains about 40 to 120mg of caffeine for an 8 oz. drink, and green tea contains about 26mg for a 6 oz. drink. You may experience caffeine side effects when you drink black tea. It is highly unlikely that you experience more than a mild jittery feeling when you drink green tea. Green tea offers you antioxidants, which strengthens your immune system. The University of Maryland states that green tea has been shown to help metabolize fats, which helps you lose weight.

References

Article reviewed by Eric Lochridge Last updated on: Feb 3, 2011

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