Is Quitting Caffeine Beneficial for your Health?

People are beginning to question whether their caffeine fix is doing any harm to their health. Want to find out if you are consuming too much caffeine? But of course, there can be negative consequences from caffeine consumption, particularly if ingested in high doses. The Mayo Clinic state that consuming more than 500-600 mg of caffeine a day may lead to insomnia, nervousness, restlessness, irritability, an upset stomach, a fast heartbeat and even muscle tremors.

Is Quitting Caffeine Beneficial for your Health?
 
 
Is Quitting Caffeine Beneficial for your Health?
We all love our caffeine fix! Whether it be a Strong Mocca Chocca Latte to a simple English Breakfast tea, caffeine is everywhere. We can sometimes forget that it's a psychoactive drug, one that some of us are highly dependent on to get us through the grind of work and our busy lifestyles. Now, I'm not saying any of us need to go to a Caffeine Anonymous Group, but there has to be some health benefits to lowering your intake! 
What is Caffeine?
Caffeine is a naturally occurring stimulant for the brain and Central Nervous System. Derived from nuts, leaves and seeds, most popular being Coffee Beans and Tea Leaves, this white powdery alkaloid. is used in hundreds of soft drinks, energy drinks and hot beverages. We consume 260 million pounds (lb) of it every year! 
After being absorbed into the blood stream (Usually within 20 minutes of consuming) caffeine begins by blocking adenosine, a neurotransmitter that controls that tired feeling you get when you don't drink caffeine. Caffeine basically tricks the brain into thinking it's not tired. It can also increase blood adrenaline levels and increase brain activity of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine. This causes an increase in alertness, peaking at 30 minutes after drinking, but the body will feel the effects for up to 6 hours after, but only half the initial feeling. Naturally, we pick up another cup to get the burst again.
After doing this for a long period of time, we may find a decrease in our performance, restlessness, change in sleep pattern or constant fatigue. Yes that feeling of waking up tired and groggy isn't actually a normal feeling! It's a sign to say 'You're on way too much caffeine'. Your body begins to build up a tolerance, this happens within 4 days of consuming, a study recently found, meaning you need more caffeine to get the same effects.
 
Now, the recommended amount is 300mg per day, roughly 2/3 Cups of coffee/tea a day, which even if you stay in this guideline, it's always good to give your body a flush out, and reset your caffeine tolerance level now and again. Are you thinking you may want to lower your caffeine intake? Or cut it out all together? Having a break from caffeine can really bring a tranquil and more natural alert state of mind. We advice to lower your intake day by day, and then quit, to help with withdrawal symptoms. For the first 2-3 days, headaches may emerge, you may feel irritable and a little drowsy. But do not worry! These subside quite quickly. Its amazing what happens then! Your blood pressure lowers, you get a more settled sleep and have better moods, decrease in anxiety and irritability, healthier teeth and diet. The List Goes On!
 
But quitting caffeine doesn't mean you can only drink water! Oh no. When quitting caffeine, you need to find a new love, a new drink that will inspire you on the way to a caffeine free life. A drink with a purpose!
We always advice our customers to go for a Rooibos Infusion. Rooibos is brewed the same as tea but it is naturally caffeine free and is full of health benefits, from being rich in antioxidants and rare nutrients, this drink is amazing for flushing out any toxins or chemicals in your body. Within 3-7 days of use, caffeine is merely a memory and Rooibos becomes 'The One'. With lots of flavours to choose from, like Rooibos Earl Grey to a Rooibos Caramel, finding a caffeine free drink really helps kick the initial cravings and irritability. And it's always fun to challenge ourselves and experience new things, for a healthy happy mind and body.  
 
Now we're not saying caffeine is going to be extremely harmful to your health, but it's definitely much healthier to give it a break or quit altogether and allow for the natural energy in your body to rebalance to optimum performance, without any stimulant needed.