People quit coffee for benefits like reduced anxiety, better sleep, stable energy, improved digestion (less acid reflux, fewer bathroom trips), clearer skin, and hormonal balance, often because caffeine causes jitters, dependency, disrupted sleep, increased stress hormones (cortisol), and digestive issues like heartburn or frequent urination, with many finding a new morning ritual and better overall health after quitting.
Caffeine has also been linked to increased anxiety and panic attacks – and not just in those with a pre-disposition to mental health issues. Reducing or eliminating caffeine may improve your mood. This may partly be because it improves sleep. Sleep deprivation can exacerbate anxiety and other mood disorders.
Caffeine withdrawal most commonly manifests with headache, fatigue or drowsiness, decreased alertness, depressed or irritable mood, difficulty concentrating, and flu-like symptoms such as nausea, muscle pain, or stiffness.
Coffee has some risks, mostly due to caffeine. Taking in too much caffeine can cause anxiety, headache or faster heart rate. Caffeinated coffee can increase heartburn symptoms, also called reflux symptoms. Urinary symptoms including frequency and urgency may increase from caffeine.
The caffeine reacts In a way, which keeps the brain more alert and concentrated on the task. But it certainly does increase the brain activity, which is one of the reasons why you'd feel anxious. So if you do quit coffee, it might help reduce symptoms such as fast heartbeats, heart pounding, heavy breathing.
The 1-week coffee rule refers to a recommended approach to cutting out coffee, where you gradually reduce your coffee intake over a week.
Coffee and other caffeinated drinks can interfere with collagen formation. Collagen is an essential protein that gives your skin a youthful, supple appearance. By quitting caffeine, you may be able to slow down the development of fine lines and wrinkles and thus delay the visible signs of aging.
So, it's apparently not just the caffeine. There are other compounds in coffee, such as antioxidants and other compounds, that may make insulin function better, that are contributing to the mortality benefit and diabetes prevention effect of coffee.
Slower Skin Aging
Caffeine slows down the rate at which your body makes collagen. This is a protein that gives your skin its tightness and elasticity. Once it drops, your skin starts to sag, and wrinkles appear. You make it more slowly as you age.
For some individuals, especially those sensitive to stimulants, caffeine can temporarily raise heart rate and blood pressure and may trigger palpitations. However, habitual coffee drinkers often develop a tolerance, and most people with heart disease can safely consume small amounts of caffeine.
Caffeine has a mild diuretic effect, which leads to an increase in urination. As a result, water-soluble vitamins, such as B-vitamins and vitamin C can be depleted due to fluid loss. Research also demonstrated that the higher the level of caffeine, the more it interfered with vitamin D absorption.
“Even in moderate amounts it can cause jitteriness and anxiety,” said Dr. Kilgore, noting that caffeine “can also increase respiratory rate, heart rate and blood pressure, which is most often fine in normal people, but if they have a health condition it should be under consideration.”
Medical experts advise using unsweetened cocoa powder to boost heart health via powerful flavour flavanols. This addition increases nitric oxide production, which relaxes blood vessels and improves overall blood circulation.
When do you need to limit caffeine?
You don't have to rely on caffeine to stay energized. Whether you choose matcha, herbal tea, yerba mate or a turmeric latte, there are plenty of caffeine-free options to keep you feeling alert and refreshed throughout the day. Try different alternatives and find what works best for your body and lifestyle.
Studies have found caffeine can do both good and harm. People who regularly drink coffee may be less likely to develop chronic illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Parkinson's disease and some cancers. A few studies suggest they are less likely to die from heart disease and other illnesses.
Too much caffeine can cause a variety of symptoms:
Caffeine can dehydrate the skin
It can also lead to a dull complexion and skin dryness, which may result in premature fine lines and wrinkles. With overconsumption of caffeine, the area around the eyes can appear sunken, and any imperfections, such as fine lines and wrinkles, can become more pronounced.
The "2-hour coffee rule" suggests waiting 90 minutes to 2 hours after waking up to drink your first cup of coffee to optimize caffeine's effects, avoid interfering with your natural cortisol spike (which peaks shortly after waking), and potentially prevent afternoon energy crashes. This timing allows caffeine to work better when cortisol levels naturally drop and adenosine (the chemical that makes you sleepy) builds up, leading to better focus and alertness later in the day, though individual experiences vary.
Research suggests that many of the health benefits associated with drinking tea—from a decreased risk of chronic diseases to longer lifespans—can be attributed to these bioactives. “It does make sense that we see populations who drink more tea live longer and do better,” Beckett says.
Caffeine is good for you in low to moderate doses. The research shows that moderate caffeine consumption can help slow down biological aging and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. However, too much can wreak havoc on your skin and may lead to visible signs of aging.
The Anti-Aging Diet: Foods for Youthful Skin
May attain a more youthful appearance. Quitting or cutting your coffee intake may stop or reverse aging leading to a more youthful appearance. Caffeine slows down the rate your body makes collagen, a protein that both tightens and gives your skin its elasticity.
I no longer feel the racing heart feeling I used to get and my anxiety has calmed down overall. I get less energy crashes - I used to feel wired from coffee in the morning, and then experience slumps midday. Now my energy levels are controlled solely by the amount of sleep I get, my food intake, and exercise.