Being among the world’s most loved beverages – tea and coffee have a profound positive impact on your overall health. According to experts, both tea and coffee are packed with caffeine – a natural stimulant that works by energizing your brain and central nervous system, helping you stay alert and prevent the onset of tiredness.
Studies say coffee is so much more than a must-have morning drink. It is touted as a natural source of phosphorus, magnesium, and antioxidants – which offer some impressive health benefits. Coffee is the biggest source of antioxidants in the American diet.
While chai has been used for its healing properties in traditional medicine for centuries, it also reduces your risk of chronic conditions like cancer, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
However, if you are one of the many people who begin their day with a hot cuppa of tea or coffee and move on to endless cups, you must know what this habit is doing to your body.
Effects of drinking too much tea or coffee
Causes anxiety
Caffeine is known to increase alertness and works by blocking the effects of adenosine – a brain chemical that makes you feel tired. However, more than two cups trigger the release of adrenaline – the “fight-or-flight” hormone associated with increased energy.
However, at higher doses, these effects may become more pronounced, leading to heightened anxiety and nervousness.
Studies say too much caffeine in your body causes rapid breathing and increases stress levels when consumed in one sitting.
Sleeplessness
Tea and coffee can make people stay awake longer, but they also make it difficult to get enough restorative sleep. According to studies, higher caffeine intake increases the amount of time it takes to fall asleep.
Causes severe digestive issues
When you keep drinking tea or coffee without eating anything in between, the laxative effect in both – attributed to gastrin; a hormone the stomach produces that speeds up activity in the colon, leads to digestive problems in the long run.
Experts say large doses of caffeine lead to loose stools or even diarrhea in some people.
Muscle breakdown
Excessive tea and coffee can cause rhabdomyolysis – an extremely serious condition in which damaged muscle fibres enter the bloodstream causing kidney failure and other issues.
High blood pressure
Even though caffeine does not increase the risk of heart disease or stroke in most people, it does raise blood pressure levels, due to its stimulatory effect on the nervous system.
According to studies, elevated blood pressure is a risk factor for heart attack and stroke because it may damage arteries over time, restricting the flow of blood to your heart and brain.
High caffeine intake has also been shown to raise blood pressure during exercise in healthy people, as well as in those with mildly elevated blood pressure.
Fatigue
Even though both tea and coffee are known to boost energy levels, they can have the opposite effect by leading to rebound fatigue after the caffeine leaves your system.
According to studies, even though caffeinated energy drinks increase alertness and improve mood for several hours, gradually you may feel more tired the following day. 9
Ways to practice moderation
According to doctors, rather than completely going off chai or coffee, it is better to practice moderation – which means consuming the beverages within the prescribed limits – 400 mg for adults.
Even though you may safely go a cup over and above, experts say sensitivity to caffeine varies in every individual and some people may experience extremely negative effects even at lower doses.
Here are some tips for practicing moderation:
- Always track your intake of chai and coffee
- If possible, switch to decaffeinated options
- Explore alternatives like green tea, matcha, or guarana
- Drink lots of water throughout the day to counter the dehydrating effects of caffeine
- Always make sure to get uninterrupted and sound sleep, which is essential for managing stress and improving your body’s response to caffeine
