Despite the growth of coffee houses and franchises across the country, Americans drink much less coffee than they did during the mid-1940s, according to the US Department of Agriculture --- about 387 cups compared to 752 cups per person annually. Coffee is loaded with caffeine, which is a stimulant that can temporarily energize you, boost long-term aerobic activity such as marathon running and increase fat burning. However, it also causes some harmful side effects.
Cardiovascular and CNS Effects
Caffeine dilates blood vessels and stimulates your heart. This effect can occur within just 15 minutes of drinking coffee and last for up to six hours. It can increase your heart rate and cause palpitations and shortness of breath. Caffeine also speeds up your central nervous system --- the brain and spinal cord. In low doses it can be beneficial to this system, for instance, increasing alertness and focus. But in high doses, caffeine leads to restlessness, irritability and anxiety.
Addiction
Indulging in coffee regularly can make you dependent, or addicted, to caffeine. As a result, you will experience physical cravings for the brew and other symptoms such as irritability, tiredness and headaches. You'll notice these symptoms after about 18 to 24 hours following your last coffee, but they will diminish over the course of a week.
Sleeplessness
About 10 to 15 percent of Americans suffer from chronic insomnia and another 30 to 40 percent experience insomnia symptoms throughout the year, reports the National Sleep Foundation. With its effects on the central nervous system, caffeine can prevent you from sleeping well. It also may cause you to ignore natural warning signs that you're tired and need sleep. Unfortunately, caffeine cannot ward off the effects of sleeplessness; instead, it increases emotional fatigue and contributes to mood depression, which is a side effect of long-term sleeplessness.
Dehydration
Caffeine has diuretic properties and boosts elimination of water through urine. Some dieters may appreciate losing water weight, but diuretics can lead to dehydration, which causes mild to severe symptoms. Symptoms of mild-to-moderate dehydration include thirst, headaches, dizziness, constipation and dry skin. Severe dehydration can lead to low blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure and unconsciousness.
Bottom Line
Moderate amounts of caffeine are unlikely to cause you long-term harm. But if you regularly drink ten 6-oz. cups of coffee or more a day, you could develop a wide range of health problems including heartburn, bowel problems, ulcers and an irregular heartbeat. In general, you should not drink more than three cups of coffee a day. However, if you have a medical problem, consult your doctor for further recommendations on consuming coffee.
References
- U.S. Department of Agriculture: Coffee Consumption Over the Last Century
- University of Michigan University Health Service: Caffeine
- University of Dayton: Caffeine: America's Most Used Drug
- Virtual Mass Spectrometry: Caffeine Effects
- Center for Addiction and Mental Health: Do You Know...Caffeine
- National Sleep Foundation: Can't Sleep? What To Know About Insomnia
Member Comments