LilySlim Exercise days tickers

Nov 27, 2012

Should I Stop Taking Coffee?

Coffee for Wesley and I in my new birthday cups! :)
Coffee!!

I've been pondering on that question for some time. I've been a coffee drinker probably since I was ten years old.  My stomach couldn't handle having milk or chocolate or juice drinks early in the morning when I have breakfast before going to school. I tend to vomit it all out or get that queasy, unsettling feeling.  Coffee seems to be the only satisfying early morning beverage for me.  So, it was and still is a habit up to this day.  But since having hypertension, I was thinking if it is a strong reason for me to eventually stop drinking coffee.  


There were various studies linking the caffeine in coffee and hypertension.  Caffeine is considered as a stimulant, but a mild one at that.  In this certain article, it says that stimulants can constrict blood vessels that may result in higher pressure.  But apparently, out of the 85,000 women studied over a decade, all of them coffee drinkers with some even drinking up to six cups of coffee per day, no one showed a considerable risk for developing hypertension and heart related diseases.  For a coffee drinker like me, I could only let out a relieved sigh with that piece of information.

In another study, it also says that coffee improves or may improve the elasticity of blood vessels.  Also in this article, a conclusion is drawn that coffee plays a very small effect on the development of high blood pressure.  More good news for a coffee lover.  But this article in Livestrong says otherwise. Mayo Clinic also suggests refraining from beverages with caffeine just before doing activities that will increase blood pressure such as doing workouts or exercises.

Now, where does that leave me with all these pieces of information contradicting each other?  Nowhere nearer to any conclusion, that's where I am.  I do know that if I suddenly stop taking in coffee, I get headaches.  In fact, coffee relieves my occasional migraine attacks.  I think, I need to research further.  For now, I'll just take coffee in moderation, that is, my usual 2-3 cups per day.  I'll also try this simple experiment of measuring my blood pressure before and after having coffee.  Let's see if I get any progress there.  After all, each one reacts to certain foods differently.  I'll see how I fare, before deciding if I really need to ditch coffee or not.  

When it comes to health, if it comes to giving up some things we enjoy so we could stay healthy, then it should not be a difficult choice.  The body would need to adjust, of course, but a choice and a conscious decision should first be made, right? 



73 comments:

  1. i think your 2-3 cups a day won't be that bad na... :-) check with your doctor na rin... :-)

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  2. All I know is that I love coffee.. like you, 2-3 cups a day too. I just try not to go over those number of cups because my hyperacidity would attack.

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  3. Aileen, I am a coffee drinker too and I get headaches if I don't have my coffee! So I would probably believe that study that says all the good stuff about coffee hihi

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  4. I'm not a coffee drinker but I'm sure if you take in moderation if shouldn't be harmful for your health

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  5. Hello fellow Mapuan. Hmm kaya pala ha ! Lol ! I'll send you a message in FB, might even write a post about us. In my case, I was advised to lessen my intake of coffe because of my recurring ulcer. And I have to start drinking milk because osteoporosis runs in my mom 's familiy. But I like what you said about about giving up some things when it comes to health and fitness. Determination and focus goes hand in hand.

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  6. Schoolmates tayo? Lol! Small world. I haven't had the chance to explore FB profiles, that's why I didn't see. Isn't milk also not good for those with ulcers because it's also acid?

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  7. I'm a coffee drinker too. I used to have at least 3-4 cups a day, dahil sa sobrang lamig sa office. But when I got pregnant I totally removed it from my system. Bumalik din naman after giving birth pero maximum of 2 cups na lang. hehehe

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  8. I don't think I can stop drinking coffee, coffee is my blogging partner...

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  9. Well...most of us here have one thing in common...we all love coffee! As for me, I couldn't stop drinking coffee coz it has been a part of my daily routine and so far, I haven't developed any sickness nor do I acquire a hypertension. That means, your first research is true. :) Like you, it also cure my migraine and puts me on an optimum level. Witho those many benefits of coffee, how could I afford to stop? lol

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  10. I am a coffee lover like you too...And my doctor asked me to stop drinking coffee because of migraine. But when I did the migraine was worst. When I drank again, the headaches seemed to stop. Coincidence?

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  11. But sometimes, if I over-do drinking coffee, my fingers would tremble like crazy. It makes me worry nga cuz I read about Michael J Fox' thumb shaking like crazy as one of his Parkinson's signs (told u-I tend to over-react and over-imagine)

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  12. I drink coffee at breakfast and sometimes during break time at work.

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  13. It's not coincidence sis...there is medical proof of that. I read that somewhere. Will have another article on that. :-)

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  14. The doctor didn't say anything about avoiding any type of food for me except those high in bad cholesterol hehehe

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  15. And coffee is my morning brew :-) Not complete without a cup of coffee

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  16. Hahaha at least you know it's from the coffee...if your fingers still twitch with normal coffee dosage, then that's the time to panic. If I drink around 5 cups, I feel palpitations already. Twitching comes probably when it's more than 5 cups lol!

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  17. I agree...moderation is still the key.

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  18. Once, I tried to stop taking coffee for a week. I did fine, so I guess when it comes to that eventually, I think I'll survive hehehe...I'm not yet addicted to coffee. :-)

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  19. i also love coffee and fortunately i dont have any abnormalities yet... maybe you should start drinking it in moderation because anything too much is not good..

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  20. Well, even if coffee tastes like heaven, I still would not drink it because my teeth is off-whitish.

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  21. Coffee stains on the teeth are typical of coffee drinkers. I was thinking if I should use straw to sip lol!

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  22. I like coffee too and now I'm still breastfeeding, I still couldn't give it up. You can also consult a doctor who knows your history before making a big change with habit.

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  23. I think that's a good idea to experiment. Check your bp before and after drinking coffee. Or compare your bp on a day you only had 1 cup versus the usual 2-3 cups. Perhaps coffee in combination with specific activities is what's not advisable. Like what you mentioned here, coffee before exercise isn't recommended. So since you run, just be careful not to take coffee before your runs. :)

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  24. I dont drink coffee. I only do when i suddenly crave for it and napakonti pa ng amount ng coffee sa timpla ko. Thats the wAy I like my coffee. The coffee from commercial cafes gives me palpitations. Kc bigla na lng bumibilis heart beat ko tapos may mild head ache. I dont know if its totally caused by the coffee though.

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  25. Everything in moderation, I guess. Wow, you started drinking coffee at 10? I had my first cup at 29!

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  26. Naku I can't stop coffee. It's my daily dose every morning. I like it warm. Hehehe!


    CE 11/27

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  27. Thanks for the additional tips Vera. Oh yes, I don't drink coffee before a run, but not because of this reason actually...heheheh it's so that I don't have to have a pee break in the middle of the run. You see, coffee acts as a diuretic on me hehehe..

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  28. If you're not used to drinking coffee, chances are it's really what causes the palpitations and headaches for you. I also have palpitations if I have like 3 cups of brewed coffee...what I usually drink is just instant coffee, the milder (but blander) version... :-)

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  29. Come to think of it, maybe I was taking coffee even earlier than that hehehe...kaya daw siguro di ako tumangkad lol!

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  30. I am not a fan of coffee, it makes my heart feel faster and it triggers my acidity.. i think you should lessen your coffee in take for a day. i hope it helps. :)

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  31. As in 10? Wow! I guess, I first make and had my first cup around 15. Grabe! Agree with Pepper Tan, Ate! Everything in moderation. :)

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  32. Another interesting piece of info! I drink a cup of coffee about 2 cups a day, max. There are different studies about the effect of coffee, and many are contradicting. So, moderation is key again. haha

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  33. I don't think I could ever give up coffee. Don't know how I'll get through the day. =(

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  34. Whoa, you're a coffee drinker since you were 10?!
    Very informative post here Aileen. I usually don't care about the health benefits I'm getting on my choice of food. Your posts are my weekly reminders to eat healthy and live healthy. Thanks for sharing.

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  35. I'm not hypertensive, in fact I have very low blood pressure. But I feel for you. Too much coffee gives me palpitations, and withdrawal from it gives me migraine. Like you, I stick to my usual 2-3 cups a day; and I also somehow blame it for me not getting tall. Haha.

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  36. Everything in moderation is okay. Just couple it with the right kind of diet. I really love your blog and I look forward to the weekly commex for it. :)

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  37. I started loving coffee when I started working.. dahil sa coffee break actually. lol! Somehow as I grew older nagiging mas madalas ang pag inom and just recently I felt a not so good sign.. parang ngpapaltipate ako or something lalo na if I drink 2 coffee in a day. Looks like it is a sign for me to stop drinking it for a while. Tlgang everything should be in moderation

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  38. i am also a coffee drinker; when my head aches i just drink coffee hehehe

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  39. I think I need my 2nd cup of coffee today. :)

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  40. Stop drinking coffee? I'll find it hard to do as well as I'm a coffee lover. Actually, even now that I'm pregnant I still drink coffee in the morning. My day just wouldn't be complete without it. Haha. But now I make sure that for every cup of coffee I drink is diluted with at least 3-5 glasses of water afterwards. :P

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  41. Hi Aileen. I'm also a coffee drinker and I also started drinking coffee as early elementary days. If I correctly remember it, as early as 7 years old. My mother does not have the money to buy us milk or juice so we end up drinking coffee because it was a lot cheaper. So now, my stomach could not stand milk and juice in the morning too. Well for milk not only in the morning but for the whole day. I tend to have LBM whenever I drink milk. I just force myself to drink milk during my pregnancy days :)


    On the side note, I prefer the font on the landing page. It is lighter than the bold text on the individual post.

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  42. when my bro got hypertension 2 years ago, a neighbor said he must stop taking coffee; my bro loves coffee so much mamamatay siya kapag walang kape hahaha...so he researched, he found out that by drinking coffee in moderation just 1 to 2 cups a day can combat hypertension, sabi niya caffeine improves the blood vessel elasticity
    so he continued drinking coffee plus the tanglad tea, now wala na siyang hypertension

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  43. I love coffee but my stomach is prone to hyperactivity. So I drink in moderation.


    Mommy Maye
    www.momaye.com

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  44. Totally agree with your last paragraph! Alas, that's really easier said than done. :)

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  45. I remember when we were children we were told that we wouldn't grow tall if we drank coffee! I drank coffee only after graduation. I love it when I smell the aroma!

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  46. im a coffee drinker too. i just make sure that i limit myself to one cup of coffee. ive said this before and ill say this again. its all about eating food or drinking beverages in moderation

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  47. I'm here again Ms Aileen for the 3rd time. Have a Nice Day! :)

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  48. I guess it all boils down into taking it in moderation. Coffee is good and great but we have to watch our our consumption.

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  49. Oh, sorry about the font. It's actually all the same in the home page and individual posts, just that sometimes, browsers don't load the fancy fonts properly. It's not even in bold text. I guess I better choose a better font... :-(

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  50. Hard choice Aileen, hahaha. Since I love coffee (even the scent of it) I cannot totally give it up. Personally I was also advised not to drink it because it is bad for my bladder (any dark colored drink for that matter). But I try to do it in moderation. A sip is ok with me but I think I'm addicted to it coz I literally salivate when I prevent myself from having it.

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  51. I guess, everything in moderation. And, still drink water.

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  52. Nobody's advised me yet to stop drinking coffee...or maybe I didn't ask my doctor on purpose hehehe.


    How's your domain reg sis?

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  53. Most of you drank coffee when you were much older...now I feel like such a rebel or naughty kid lol!

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  54. I would say it's the tanglad that does wonders for him...oh yup, I remember your article...mental note...find tanglad :-)

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  55. My stomach gets upset with milk also...particularly the non-fat kind. I try to drink milk sometimes but not early in the morning. Orange juice is out of the question as a morning beverage. I feel like I've been punched in the stomach with orange juice.

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  56. Palpitation with 2 cups? It seems you have a very low tolerance for caffeine so you should really exercise caution

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  57. I just wonder if I would have been taller without coffee...but 5'3" is a decent height na, I think. At least I went over the 5 ft.mark lol!

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  58. I think the key is moderation. Normally, I only drink coffee for breakfast. I only started drinking coffee 2 years ago.

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  59. I think you shouldn't because there are good nutrients that can be attain in drinking coffee, perhaps you should have it moderately.

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  60. I like to take things in moderation. Like everything else, I believe depriving yourself of the "bawal" things make you crave for it more.

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  61. i dont think i can kick the habit of drinking coffee

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  62. i'm not a coffee drinker tlga. i prefer tea or hot choco. hehe

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  63. I love drinking coffee too :) I limit my drinking to just a cup a day presently but I used to take up to 5 cups a day...I gained weight drinking much 3-in-1 coffee :(

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  64. No progress. I don't know what to do. 404 still appears :(

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  65. I feel bad about that. You probably need to set it up manually. If you can ask someone who knows how to do that, yun mga DNS settings yata yan eh. Wala pa rin reply ang customer support? Grabe naman. Si Marie, she was able to register her 2nd domain just recently and hours lang active na. I wonder what could have gone wrong with yours. :-(

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  66. I love my coffee too much most of my colleagues wonder how I fit them all in during the day but I still do. If I were to give up drinking Coffee I wouldn't know what I would be doing

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  67. I'm glad I'm not a coffee drinker. ^^ Though I love coffee-based frappuccinos. ;)

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  68. i'm really not much of a coffee drinker. I drink only cold coffee and I drink once every 3 months I guess. I prefer choco or tea over coffee.

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  69. I already stopped taking the original coffee. I substitued it with rice coffee due to some uric acid issue.

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  70. Those are good insights. I used to be a regular coffee drinker 3-4 x a day. Until I realized it makes me shake. So I stopped drinking coffee and now I drink occasionally. Maybe the key is moderation :)

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  71. The thing about coffee that scared me was reading that it sucks the calcium from your body leaving one susceptible to osteoporosis I like my creamy cup of coffee in the morning so I read what I could about it. Well, one cup a day will not be bad and if one takes milk or dairy products then it neutralizes effect on calcium. I love milk and dairy products too so I think I can safely continue with my one cup of coffee in the morning. With hypertension, as long as you take coffee in moderation, you should be fine. Everything in moderation :)

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  72. Hi! It really is hard to live without coffee for some people. Maybe in this case, moderation is key. Coffee does have some benefits, but as with all things, too much is never a good thing.

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  73. Just take it slow and as you said, drink in moderation. Try drinking water after a cup of coffee, so you wont be dehydrated.

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