Tuesday, October 13, 2015

10 Reasons NOT To Give Up Caffeine


Oil and coffee are the two most important products to the global economy. So I think it's worth talking about. That and I love all things coffee. There are plenty of reasons to stop the caffeine intake anything from dehydration to the shakes to insomnia. But what about reasons to not give up? Never ever ever ever give up I say. Here are the reasons why you can happily embrace your cup of coffee today. 


  • According to Mayo Clinic studies, coffee appears to improve cognitive function and decrease the risk for depression.
  • Antioxidants. Coffee is loaded with disease-fighting antioxidants. Coffee is the leading source of antioxidants in American diets according to The Buzz On Coffee article.
  • According to both the above articles, recent research is showing that coffee can reduce the risk of Parkinsons disease, type 2 diabetes, and a number of different cancers (including colon and liver)
  • It helps keep you awake. If you drink coffee excessively it might keep you awake all night, but I have found 1-2 cups of coffee before noon to be extremely helpful to jumpstart my day. Since coffee is known to boosts the activity of brain cells, it helps keeps me alert and focused on my morning commute and energizes me for the day ahead.
  • Yummy
  • It helps people to bond. It seems that people are interested in people’s caffeine use. Do you drink tea? Coffee? Soda? Why? And if you don’t drink caffeine people are equally as interested to know your reasons why! One of my first conversations with Scott was when we were in class together and we discussed the why or why not we didn’t drink coffee.
  • It helps to relieve headaches. I know this is a big controversial issue because caffeine can cause them especially when it comes to withdrawals. However, the flip side of the coin is that they help you feel better according to research done by the Headache Clinic at Vermont Medical School. One thought is that caffeine cause blood vessels to constrict, thus helping to relieve the pressure that causes pain. 
  • Recent research is finding that caffeine might be good for our skin according to Live Strong. Apparently since caffeine constricts blood vessels, it can decrease inflammation thus making our skin more healthy. Apparently there is caffeine in many anti-anging products and skin care products. I feel a little bit weird about this as I don't want my goal in life to be about reversing my age and growth. However, less inflammation seems like a good thing.
  • It helps give me a routine and rhythm to my mornings. I like having the morning tradition of coffee. It helps me to take a minute for myself before I pour out to the world. I like how it causes me to slow down and be present. There's something about drinking something that requires your attention. You can't multi-task too much or my coffee cup is left lukewarm (this happens more often than I like to embrace)
  • It has given me a hobby. I love going to new coffee shops. Whenever Scott and I travel, our favorite thing is exploring the local coffee shops. Scott is much better at the actual learning and making-coffee-part. I am much better at the-soaking-up-the-environment part. He has made us some really good cold brew lattes! I like having a coffee drink to go with all four seasons. Someday I want to visit a coffee farm. 
*or, coffee


7 comments:

  1. Very well said Heather! As someone far more wise than I once said, everything in moderation. It does no good banning things and coffee isn't to blame for any ill effects if anyone is daft enough to drink it by the gallon. I love your list it's fabulous & I'm off to share. I hope you're having a wonderful week dear one, huggles always xx

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    1. Haha! *drink it by the gallon*! You are so right. It seems anything taken to an extreme is no longer good for you! Except love and self-care :) Thanks for sharing this via twitter. I woke up to that this morning and it just made me smile oxoxox

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    2. :) Quite right! hugs too, can't ever have too many hugs. Hugs are the absolutely perfect gift, one size fits all and no one ever minds if they are returned :) No day is ever so perfect that it can't be made even better with hugs :) Sending heaps and heaps of hugs your way Heather, have a fabulous day and an even better weekend, huggles always xx

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  2. So well written! I have to have my tea at 3, like a good English woman, otherwise all Hell lets loose ;) My littles know not to disturb me unless I've finished my tea! I like the almost ritual-like routine of it (we're off to. Japanese tea ceremony at the weekend; can't wait to see all the pomp and splendour). There's something to be said for coffee/tea time as self care isn't there? (Wasn't aware of all these research findings; thanks for the heads up about those!)...interestingly, for my fibromyalgia, the Dr prescribes me pain killers with caffeine in them...saying it helps to relieve pain....

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    1. Thank you Helen! Yes! It is very important not to be disturbed during tea/coffee time. It is such a good ritural and self care to have. Also for very interesting what your Dr. said about caffeine but I have to say, it really helps wiht my chronic pain, especially migraines. What's your favorite go-to tea? A tea ceremony this weekend sounds fabulous!

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  3. Yes! Finally someone made a case for why you should drink coffee. I love coffee and while I know I am completely dependant on it, I'm ok with that. I enjoy my cup in the morning and and occasional afternoon cup, so I think that is a healthy amount. I get the benefits of it without going completely overboard.

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    1. Hi Jenna! Thanks for stopping by :) And I totally agree, if it's in moderation it seems there are many health benefits. I need to research pregnancy and caffiene because that is something I am very concerend about! Hahaha :) I am truly and happily dependent.

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