Does Being Caffeine-Free Lead to Better Productivity?
Getting through the work day on high power is a work habit that’s more common than not. From the espresso concoction from Starbucks to the green tea from the organic coffeehouse, there are plenty of ways to get the daily buzz. Today’s newest caffeine-infused products even include gum, chocolate, and caffeinated water. But could caffeine be getting in the way of your natural productivity?
Caffeine has long been used as a central nervous stimulant to provide mental focus, increased energy, and a convenient rush when you need it. However, many people are touting the benefits of a caffeine-free lifestyle, claiming that caffeine is counter-productive to thinking clearly, making us anxious, jittery, and contributing to our stress levels. But are we ready to forego that cup of java each day?
According to health researchers and physicians, caffeine is a major contributor of many health conditions and disease such as:
- Severe stress
- Mood disorders
- Headaches and migraines
- Diabetes
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Indigestion and upset stomachs
- Acid reflux and GERD
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Interstitial Cystisis
An increased heart rate and high blood pressure can also lead to increased stress; if you’re already experiencing a significant amount of stress in your life, caffeine might worsen the problem. Extreme anxiety can also be counter-productive; think about how difficult it is to focus if you’re constantly in fight-or-flight mode. Excessive caffeine also interferes with sleep and natural resting patterns. Sleep problems and mood disturbances can take a toll on your daily productivity, making it difficult to focus and even get up in the morning. Without a healthy sleep schedule, you can become irritable, anxious, and find it difficult to concentrate.
The coffee buzz that keeps you running on all eight cylinders may be great for your to-do list, but chances are it’s taking its toll on your health. Reducing the amount of caffeine in your diet might just offer some valuable benefits for both your brain and your body.
Have you kicked the coffee habit? Share your ideas and suggestions below:
3 Comments
MK
September 22nd, 2007 at 11:39 am
Tea, coffee, cola, energy drinks and chocolate share the same nerve toxin (stimulant), caffeine. Caffeine, which is readily released into the blood, triggers a powerful immune response that helps the body to counteract and eliminate this irritant. The toxic irritant stimulates the adrenal glands, and to some extent, the body’s many cells, to release the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol into the blood stream.
If consumption of stimulants continues on a regular basis, however, this natural defense response of the body becomes overused and ineffective. The almost constant secretion of stress hormones, which are highly toxic compounds in and of themselves, eventually alters the blood chemistry and causes damage to the immune system, endocrine, and nervous systems. Future defense responses are weakened, and the body becomes more prone to infections and other ailments.
The boost in energy experienced after drinking a cup of coffee is not a direct result of the caffeine it contains, but of the immune system’s attempt to get rid of it (caffeine) An overexcited and suppressed immune system fails to provide the “energizing” adrenaline and cortisol boost needed to free the body from the acidic nerve toxin, caffeine. At this stage, people say that they are “used” to a stimulant, such as coffee. So they tend to increase intake to feels the “benefits.”
Since the body cells have to sacrifice some of their own water for the removal of the nerve toxin caffeine, regular consumption of coffee, tea, or colas causes them to become dehydrated. For every cup of tea or coffee you drink, the body has to mobilize 2-3 cups of water just to remove the stimulants, a luxury it cannot afford. This applies to soft drinks, medicinal drugs, and any other stimulants, As a rule, all stimulants have a strong dehydrating effect on the bile, blood, and digestive juices.
Get the real scoop on caffeine at http://www.CaffeineAwareness.org
Tom
September 24th, 2007 at 11:06 am
Tea, however, is GOOD for you. It contains antioxidants that help fight certain toxins in your body, especially green tea. There are even some health benefits in coffee. I wouldn’t quit drinking either of these — just drink in moderation.
WalterL
September 29th, 2007 at 7:47 am
I find green tea irritating to me, because it also contains caffeine but releases it more slowly than coffee. The same goes for black tea. I prefer red tea (rooibos). You could drink it in the morning and in the evening in any amounts. It doesn’t stimulate and is caffeine-free.
Leave a Comment