Coffee is one of the most widely-consumed beverages around the world. Its energizing aroma, comforting taste, and stimulating effect make it a popular drink. Even with its many benefits, numerous studies show that coffee can worsen different health conditions, especially if consumed excessively. Coffee drinkers, beware if you have these conditions:
Acid Reflux
If you have acid reflux, coffee may not be the best beverage for you due to its acidic nature. The acidity in coffee can increase the production of stomach acids, which could trigger reflux symptoms like heartburn, nausea, and pain.
Anxiety
No one has ever developed an anxiety disorder after drinking coffee. But coffee can make some people anxious, especially if they already have anxiety. That is because coffee is a stimulant; it raises their heart rate and blood pressure and can cause heart palpitations and jitteriness. Coffee also stimulates the production of cortisol (a hormone our bodies produce when we feel stressed). Too much cortisol can heighten feelings of anxiety.
Arthritis
Coffee contains compounds that can cause joint pain and inflammation and can lead to arthritis. Studies show that people who drink more than four cups of coffee daily have more risks for arthritis than those who don’t. And that, even with regular coffee consumption, there’s a chance of new or worsening arthritis.
Diabetes
Many people are unaware that coffee can be harmful to people with diabetes. Studies have shown that drinking too much coffee can negatively affect blood sugar control and sometimes lead to complications like diabetic ketoacidosis. How this happens is not fully understood. But, caffeine increases insulin sensitivity and glucose absorption in the body.
Epilepsy
Coffee poses a risk for people with epilepsy. There are many potential triggers for seizures, like sleep deprivation, stress, and even caffeine. Coffee, in high doses, can increase the excitability of neurons (information messengers) in the brain and may lead to higher chances of seizures. And for people with epilepsy who are sensitive to the effects of coffee, even small amounts of caffeine may be enough to cause seizures.
Heart Disease
High levels of caffeine can cause heart palpitation and arrhythmias. For people with heart disease (conditions that affect blood flow to the heart), this puts extra strain on their hearts.
Insomnia
Coffee can make insomnia worse. That’s because caffeine is a stimulant that increases alertness, and alertness can interfere with sleep. And caffeine takes several hours to metabolize in the body, increasing the likelihood of disrupted sleep cycles.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
IBS is a digestive condition that causes abdominal pain and cramping in combination with changes in bowel habits, such as constipation and diarrhea. Caffeine can affect IBS symptoms, with some people experiencing exacerbated symptoms after drinking coffee. How or why this happens is unclear. But coffee can increase gut motility by triggering the release of hormones that lead to abdominal pain and cramping. And coffee can irritate the lining of the intestines, leading to inflammation and further discomfort for those with IBS.
Migraine Headaches
Headaches can be a pain (literally!). And for some people, coffee makes their migraine headaches worse. Caffeine is a naturally occurring stimulant found in coffee that can increase blood flow to the brain. The increase in blood flow causes headaches or makes existing ones more intense. Caffeine also affects levels of neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) in the brain that regulate mood, alertness, and emotions. Too much caffeine can cause an imbalance in these levels, which can also cause or exacerbate headaches.
Now, I’m not here to say whether or not coffee is good or bad for you. What I am going to say is that drinking coffee can aggravate or worsen some pre-existing conditions. If you have one of the conditions I’ve mentioned and are a big coffee drinker, maybe consider limiting how much coffee you drink⎯or completely cutting out coffee if it makes your symptoms harder to control.