Is Coffee Good Or Bad?

Many people are so confused about coffee. As a matter of fact many people argue about this very subject everyday! One day they read that it's so bad for them, and the next day it's good for them, so what's the truth about coffee? To be honest the answer is not so simple.

The Positives

Believe it or not, coffee is actually the biggest source of anti-oxidants in our diet. Coffee consumption has also been associated with lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes and cancer and improving mood and memory and so many other benefits. Coffee has also been known to improve metabolism and even sports performance.

The Negatives

On the other hand, coffee is addictive. It can mess with your stress hormones, making you feel wired and tired. This can be confusing. One study comes out in support of coffee and the next day we see 10 reasons why coffee is bad for us, so what's the truth about this delicious aromatic beverage? It's not black and white. Simply put, it's not about the coffee, it's about the person.

The Effects of Coffee are not the Same for Everyone

How people respond to coffee is controlled by genetics and how that affects caffeine metabolism. One cup might have someone bouncing off the walls all day, another is going to have a triple espresso and go right to bed. The effects of coffee are not the same for everyone. For someone who's suffering from adrenal fatigue, coffee can be really bad for their health. Some people might also have a sensitivity to coffee beans, which means their bodies won't tolerate them, which can create a whole variety of symptoms. The ingredients in coffee also interfere with a normal metabolism and detoxification of the liver, making it hard to regulate the normal detox process in the liver.

How Do You Determine if Coffee Works for You or if it Doesn't?

Just like other potential toxic triggers, to test yourself you can eliminate coffee for three weeks. If you need coffee every day to feel motivated or even function then that's a coffee addiction. In this situation there's a big chance that your stress hormones are out of whack and they need some resetting. To wean yourself off, try switching from multiple cups to one cup, and then half a cup, and then try switching to green tea or herbal teas with warm lemon. Be sure to drink lots of water and get lots of rest when you give up coffee because you might be more tired than usual. But make sure you get plenty of exercise to keep your energy up. If you're irritable or having trouble sleeping, you can take magnesium citrate, about 200 to 500 milligrams before bed.

Some people rely on substituting coffee for food too, so when you're hungry make sure to eat and don't let your blood sugar get too low. Also have some protein in the afternoon like a handful of nuts or seeds or almonds, pecans, walnuts, pumpkin seeds or a piece of steamed or baked fish. Also try relaxation techniques like sitting in a sauna, meditation, yoga, or get a massage.

Help combat any stress through any technique you like, but just make sure you give up coffee for that period of time and see how it affects you. Because you never know how you’ll feel without it.

After you remove coffee for three weeks, then add it back in. When you do that, what happens? Do you have any symptoms, how's your energy, any changes in digestion, you feel anxious, irritable? You want to monitor how you respond to coffee. It's really important to track how you're doing and how it affects you. If coffee doesn't seem to work for you, that's fine. There's lots of other things you can drink and you can enjoy like green tea. If coffee does work for you, then it’s recommended that you stay away from two additions that normally go into coffee, milk and sugar. Often, it's these two culprits that are doing more damage than the actual coffee.

Fat in My Coffee?

Instead use a healthy fat. Yes, we said fat. Coconut Butter is one of our favorites, which is why we carry it in our stores. The right fat blended with your coffee (also known as Bulletproof coffee) is really one of the best and healthiest ways to enjoy coffee. Once you taste the creamy frothy goodness of fat and coffee blended together, you're not going to miss milk. Trust me, this blend of coffee has really changed our lives. You can also use ghee or clarified butter if you have a sensitivity to dairy.

This can keep you satisfied for hours, keep your brain sharp, and it’s also is the perfect beverage to enjoy before exercising because it boosts your energy for long periods of time without the crash that coffee can normally cause. This way of preparing coffee will keep you focused, helped cut cravings.

So Should I Drink Coffee or Not?

There's no one size fits all approach to coffee just like there's no one size fits all approach to diet and lifestyle. One person might be able to enjoy raw veggies and the next person might have to avoid these because they get lots of digestive problems. Same applies to coffee. Instead of saying coffee is good or bad, you need to determine if it works for you, or if it doesn't.

We want to hear from you. Does coffee work for you? Have you found that it doesn't work for you? How did you find out? Share your comments below or on our Facebook page and if you like this article, share it with your friends and family by social media or email!