Side Effects of Decaf Coffee

• This coffee possesses higher acidity when compared to other coffee varieties. Therefore, taking this coffee causes ulcers and acid refluxes in the body. It is associated with the development of symptoms such as heart burn. So, it is better that you quit this coffee when such symptoms occur.
• Decaffeinated coffee increases the risk of heart disease. It enhanced the amounts of non essential fats in the body, these fats in turn enhance the production of bad cholesterol in the body. The amounts of apolipoprotein B also increased. This protein is associated with cardiovascular disease.
• Decaf coffee is prepared from robusta beans that have higher levels of fats called diterpenes in it. These diterpenes have the ability to produce fatty acids in the body. Certain oils present in coffee elevate the level of liver enzymes and inhibit the liver from regulating serum cholesterol.
• This coffee is not suggested for people who are suffering from glaucoma. Glaucoma is caused by the increase of intralocular pressure within the eyes. So, when you take this coffee pressure inside the eyes is increased further and causes damage to the eyes.
• Decaffeinated coffee contains methylene chloride in it. This chemical is most commonly used in decaffeination process. Some amount of this chemical remains in the coffee and damages the liver, central nervous system and lungs. Prolonged exposure to this chemical can cause damage to the organs.
• Decaffeinated coffee also causes osteoporosis. The acid content generally causes the demineralization of bones and alters the bone cell function.

Low Acid Coffee

• Coffee is the culprit behind the production of acid in the stomach. It is responsible for causing symptoms such as heart burn, nausea, burning sensation and indigestion. However, these problems can be overcomed by taking a coffee that is less acidic.
• Acidity is influenced by the amount of roasting. Generally, darker roasts have low acidity. Other way to produce a less acidic coffee is by choosing coffee beans that are less acidic. Other approach could be the addition of neutralizer to the acidic beans. However, this is a least efficient approach and is less practiced.

How to Prepare a Low Acid Coffee

• A cup of grounded coffee powder is taken into a steel bowl. To it ¼ cup of water is added and stirred gently.
• Now add 13/4 cups of water to the same bowl and avoid stirring. Try to gently disturb the grounds. Using a lid or aluminum foil or plastic wrap to cover the bowl. Allow this mixture to remain at room temperature for about 12 hours. Do not disturb the bowl.
• Strain this coffee concentrate with medium sieve first and then strain second time with a fine mesh. At this stage, your coffee is ready to be prepared. You can prepare it either hot or preferably iced.
• For preparing low acidic cold coffee, fill ice cubes in a glass and add a cup of milk and coffee concentrate to it. sugar is added according to individuals taste.
• For preparing low acidic hot coffee, heat milk in a microwave oven and pour it into a glass. To this add coffee concentrate and stir. Sugar is added according your taste.

Caffeine and Pregnancy

• Caffeine acts as an diuretic and stimulant. As it is a stimulant, it increase the rate of blood flow, thereby leading to increased heart rate. This is not recommended during pregnancy. It causes increased urination rate, due to this reason fluid levels within the body tends to fall and ultimately leads to dehydration.
• Caffeine when taken in high doses passes through the placenta and interferes with the baby’s development. Baby’s metabolism rate is low and cannot totally metabolize caffeine. It also affects sleep patterns in baby as well as the mother.
• Studies have shown that caffeine causes reduced fertility, birth defects, reproductive problems and preterm delivery.
• Intake of coffee in more than the recommended amounts is responsible for increased metabolism and heart rate. It can sometimes cause headache, insomnia and nervousness. It stimulates the secretion of acids from the stomach and creates heartburn.
• As you reach the final stages of pregnancy, caffeine break down is slowed down and therefore higher levels of caffeine starts to accumulate in the body. Therefore, posing a difficulty for its breakdown.
• Apart from caffeine, coffee also contains phenols that are responsible for less absorption of iron. Most pregnant women are deficient for iron and over that if you take coffee it interferes with iron absorption.
• Caffeine intake causes the flushing out of fluids and calcium out of the body. The baby needs extra fluids constantly. So, better to limit caffeine intake during pregnancy.
• Caffeine also effects the cardiovascular system and is responsible for cause of arrhythmias and tachycardia in the fetus.
• Caffeine intake should be lower than 300 milligrams per day. Caffeine is not only present in coffee but also in other sources such as tea, chocolates and soft drinks.

Coffee Side Effects

• Coffee contains chemical trichloroethylene. This chemical is used in metal industry for degreasing purpose and solvent in cloth industry for dry cleaning. These chemicals are mostly involved in causing liver cancer.
• Coffee beans when exposed to high temperatures during roasting causes the depletion of natural oils from it. Though roasting process increases aroma, it actually makes the oils more rancid. Chlorogenic acid present in it responsible for certain toxic side effects.
• It is responsible for causing several nutritional deficiencies. Mostly thiamine deficiency occurs and leads to conditions of nervousness, fatigue and headaches. Regular coffee consumption impairs nutrient absorption from foods into the intestine, thereby leading to mineral and vitamin deficiencies.
• Coffee when consumed in large quantities leads to toxic liver. One of the primary function of liver is to purify blood. The so purified blood is then supplied to all the blood cells. As liver gets clogged, purification does not occur and impure blood gets deposited in the cells. As a result of this, cells are unable to regenerate and produce new cells.
• Coffee contains acid based oil that causes gastric acidity. Due to gastric acidity, adrenaline is secreted. Adrenaline stimulates the secretion of insulin that leads to secondary hypoglycemia. Tension, low energy levels, mood swings and high blood pressure are the other side effects seen.
• It leads to sleep related disorders and anxiety due to its excessive intake.
• It is not advised for pregnant women as it causes miscarriages.
• People suffering from heart problems or high blood pressure should avoid consumption of coffee.
• It interferes with medications for obesity, pain and depression.

So, it is better to take a cup of coffee every day. Do not take overdoses of it, as it can lead to coffee side effects.

Effects of Taking Coffee

• Coffee consumption causes the stimulation of central nervous system and increases the stress hormones in the blood stream. Due to the increased release of stress hormones in the body the persons feels more alert. It interferes with the normal functioning of the body and prevents one from relaxing.
• Due to these changes the person feels more depressed and mood swings are common. It affects night sleep and fatigue occurs. In order to regain vigor, the person starts to take coffee and there the problem of addiction starts. Other effects of addiction includes irregular heart beat, acidity and dark circles in the eye region.

Coffee Addict Symptoms

• Most people are susceptible to headache. Headache mostly occurs due to the constriction of blood vessels and reduced blood flow to the head.
• Craving for coffee is one of the primary symptom.
• A person has a feeling of fatigue throughout the day.
• Discomfort or stiffness in the stomach, neck, legs, hands, back and shoulders are common.
• Person faces difficulty in concentrating.
• Unusual mood swings are common.
• Lack of sleep.
• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Constipation
• Heart burn

Coffee Addict- How to Overcome withdrawal symptoms

• It is vital to minimize the daily intake of coffee. However, giving up coffee suddenly is very difficult and it causes disturbing effects. Symptoms associated with coffee withdrawal include headache, poor orientation, fatigue, memory lapses, poor concentration and nausea.
• To overcome the withdrawal symptoms, it is advisable to lower down coffee intake gradually. This can be done by taking half the amount of coffee daily and replacing the other half with herbal tea or green tea. Instead of coffee one can choose fresh fruit juices or green tea or soup.

Why Choose Organic Coffee

• Coffee consumption poses problems such as stomach ulcers, blood pressure, panic and stress. In addition to all these problems, if pesticides are used for its production it makes it unsuitable for consumption. So, it is better to switch over to naturally grown coffee.
• It is full of antioxidants, heart healthy vitamins and nutrients. It is rich in antioxidants, due to their growth in nutrient rich volcanic soil. Antioxidant components in this coffee helps to prevent several diseases and neutralizes free radicals. As the coffee plants are grown in shade nutrient content in them is very high.
• It acts as an natural energy booster. The caffeine present in it is in pure form and pungent.
• Organic coffee is effective in preventing certain cancers, heart disease, liver cirrhosis, type 2 diabetes, Asthma, alzheimer’s disease and parkinson’s disease.
• It promotes health as it is grown naturally under shade, in nutrient rich soils and without the use of chemicals. Whatever you eat or drink shows its effects as it enters the stomach. So, by taking this coffee one can be sure that no side effects occur.
• It has a good taste and flavor when compared to the synthetic prepared ones.
• It aids in weight loss by flushing out toxins and simultaneously satisfies hunger.
• Pesticides are the cause for respiratory and mental disorders among people. So, to overcome these problems people opt for naturally produced coffee.
• As it is produced without the use of chemicals, it is environmental friendly. It is healthier and readily available.
• It is grown under shade. It is bird friendly as it serves as a habitat for birds.

Side Effects of Caffeine Coffee

• Caffeine causes abnormal heart beat. It is very harmful for people suffering from heart disease and blood pressure. It blocks the blood vessels in brain and causes headache.
• It is a strong diuretic and causes dehydration of the body. Fatigue is the most common symptom of dehydration.
• Caffeine coffee can be a cause for tremors in few people. These tremors are caused due to the over activation of nervous system.
• Excess consumption of coffee causes anxiety and stiffness of hands, legs, stomach and shoulders. It causes coldness in extremities of feet and hands. Coldness is mostly because of improper circulation.
• Caffeine helps you to remain awake for longer periods of time. It causes tiredness due to lack of sleep. It also causes insomnia.
• Caffeine causes the increased excretion of calcium. Calcium is a mineral that is vital for bone health. Deficiency of calcium causes osteoporosis, a disease characterized by decreased bone strength.
• Moderate consumption of coffee does not cause any side effects. But, when taken in higher amounts it affects pregnancy. It is often associated with low birth babies and miscarriages.
• Caffeine increases the cholesterol levels in the body, irritates stomach, depletes B vitamins and leads to prostate and breast problems.
• It also inhibits iron absorption, which leads to anemia. In this condition, red blood cells carrying oxygen are fewer and leads to fatigue.
• It stimulates stress hormones norepinephrine and epinephrine. These two hormones cause increased blood pressure and heart rate.
• It causes over excitation, raises adrenaline levels and impairs relaxation process. It burns down calories in the body and causes fatigue.
• Increased urine production, upset stomach, depression, irritability and vomiting are the other symptoms associated with excessive coffee consumption. So, one should limit their intake of coffee.

Coffee and Health Risks

• Drinking too much coffee causes health problems. Therefore, there is a need to take it in moderate amounts to prevent from its effects.
• Excessive intake of coffee poses a risk for cardiovascular disease. Heart disease is caused because of elevated LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and homocysteine levels in the body.
• Higher levels of coffee consumption is often linked with low levels of calcium in the body. Low levels of calcium is generally seen in people who take more than four cups of coffee everyday.
• It poses sleep problems. Since, it being a stimulant it keeps one alert and awake. Therefore, people suffering from insomnia are recommended to stay far from caffeine.
• Coffee has high acid content in it. The acid content present in it causes stomach pain. To, overcome this problem avoid taking coffee when on empty stomach. Taking cream along with coffee can be of help.
• It is a diuretic. It makes the body devoid of moisture and water. Thereby, causing dehydration. It is ideal to take water after a cup of coffee.
• Few studies have shown that higher coffee consumption is often associated with lower fertility.
• Coffee consumption in case of pregnant women causes serious consequences. It cause iron deficiency anemia in infants and mother. Coffee also interferes with absorption of supplemental form of iron.
• It causes staining of teeth if taken excessively.
• Caffeine can also be your friend if consumed in moderate doses.

Few Important Points
Some points that have to be remembered about caffeine include

• Do not take excess of it.
• Avoid coffee intake after 2 pm.
• Better to take coffee before performing exercises.

Coffee Acidity

• Acidity can be described as one of the property on which coffee is evaluated. It causes unpleasant feeling in the stomach. Some amount of acidity is required to maintain the flavor of coffee, however large levels of it is not desired.
• The coffee growing area, variety of coffee, roasting process, bean processing and brewing are some of the factors that determine the acidity of coffee. Generally, coffee grown in high altitudes and volcanic soils tend to have more acidity. However, one cannot judge the acidity levels based on geography itself, other factors such as roasting and processing also come into play.
• Coffee is processed in two different ways, dry and wet method. In dry method cherries so obtained are dried directly in the sun and the shell is removed. In wet method, beans are soaked in water and the skin is removed. In case of dry processed beans the acid content is less when compared to wet processed beans.
• Roasting process also affects coffee acidity. More the amount of roasting less is the acidity. Lightly roasted beans have high acid content. Freshly brewed coffee has more acidity, as the coffee gets stale it looses taste and acidity. Cold brewing reduces the acidity of coffee.
• Different types of acids are found in coffee. The most important among them are chlorogenic acid, oxalic acid, tannic acid, caffeic acid, oleic acid and malic acid. These constituents cause overall acidity of coffee. The caffeine content in coffee causes the secretion of more acids. So, coffee consumption stimulates additional secretion of acids and pose gastric problems.
• Words such as bright, sharp, crisp, bright and lively describe highly acidic coffee. Smooth, sweet and mellow describe low acidic coffee. Therefore, to prevent acidity there is a need to limit coffee intake.

Black Coffee and Blood Pressure

• Relation between black coffee and blood pressure is often a matter of controversy. The most important constituent in coffee is caffeine, which acts as an stimulant. It is also found in berries, nuts and leaves of certain plants.
• Caffeine content in coffee is more when compared to tea. Caffeine acts as a powerful stimulant and raises blood pressure. It improves the activity of central nervous system and helps the persons to stay more focused and alert. The enhanced activity causes constricted blood vessels and alters the blood circulation to the heart.
• Adenosine a hormone interacts with the brain cells and causes the arteries to widen. Widened arteries helps in proper flow of blood to the heart. However, caffeine blocks the release of this hormone and constricts the blood vessel leading to high blood pressure.
• Caffeine content in coffee is also known to stimulate adrenal gland. The so stimulated adrenal gland produces adrenaline and releases it throughout the body and causes increased blood pressure.
• The increase in blood pressure does not last long and shows temporary effects. Its effects are short lived and small. However, moderate amounts of coffee should be taken. About 2 to 3 cups should be the minimal intake of coffee in a day.
• Effects of caffeine on blood pressure is different for men and women. In men, increase in blood pressure is due to constricted blood vessels and increased resistance of blood vessels to the blood flow. In case of women, it raises blood pressure by increasing heart activity.
• Polyphenols present in coffee is effective for lowering the risk of cancer, heart disease and clot formation. Coffee contains caffeine component that causes high blood pressure, but other components in it show beneficial effects. So, there is an need to take coffee in moderate amounts.