Coffee: Friend or Foe?
Is coffee good for you? This is one of the most common questions I receive, and the answer can be a little complicated. The simple answer is, I’m not sure – let’s take a look. Like most other foods and supplements, its use is not one-size-fits-all. There are many factors that influence whether it’s safe for you to consume this beverage.
Coffee Benefits
Coffee often gets a bad reputation and is one of the most common things we’re encouraged to cut out. However, there are also great health benefits that come from sipping your favorite cup. A well done study of its usage women showed that the more coffee consumed, the less likely they were to experience a major depressive episode.
Coffee is also one of the main ways our bodies get antioxidants that help provide a neuroprotective service. This can be really useful!
The Dark Side of Caffeine
For others, coffee and caffeine, in general, can cause problems. Sipping a cup can cause our adrenal glands to produce a spike in the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline. If the adrenal glands are already taxed from chronic stress, coffee can exacerbate the problem.
It can also decrease the stomach’s ability to produced hydrochloric acid. This can affect our absorption and digestion of proteins which can put us at risk for small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). This can lead to absorption issues and B12 deficiency, which can create problems with our brain.
Take A Closer Look
So, is coffee right for you? The short answer is I don’t know, but let’s figure it out! This is one of the things we do here – determining what works for you as an individual. Click here to schedule a complimentary brief phone consultation to begin our work together!
