Caffeine

Kathy · Caffeine

Some of you might remember I decided to stop drinking coffee about 3 weeks ago. My joints have been getting progressively more painful over the past year or so and I decided to look at more ways in which to help myself.

Although coffee can be used in a beneficial way in some circumstances, the acid eats away the villi of the small intestine, reducing the ability to assimilate vital nutrients and most heavy coffee drinkers are deficient in calcium and other minerals. There are many other negative effects from drinking as little as 2 cups per day, moodiness and light sleep patterns being just 2 of them.

So, 3 weeks into my "no caffeine" (I don't drink any black teas) phase all the joint aches have gone, completely. To me this is as miraculous as CP's burns healing up overnight with aloe vera. Very Happy

I'm not sure what I was expecting but am so pleased, I thought I post it here in case the info may help others suffering from those horrible aching bones.

mrutty

Remember if you take in a lot of caffine then you need to drop down slowly as coming off of it can cause your blood pressure to drop.

Also look out for the headaches

mc55

wow, Kathy, that is very impressive. I don't drink coffee as I'm not keen on it, but occasionally I'll have an espresso and within 10 minutes of drinking it I get palpitations, start to shake and feel sick ... its pretty intense !

Cabbagepatch

Kathy that is fantastic Very Happy

I didn't know caffeine had an effect on calcium absorption, that is something I worry about. My maternal family have a history of osteoporosis - I had a bone test last year (privately because the NHS don't do them unless you are menopausal or have broken your hip Rolling Eyes

). I am at high risk.

lloyd

When I used to compete in swimming, we were forbidden caffeine drinks because it tightens up the muscle structure, making you less flexible. These days I think "bugger flexibility" and enjoy a kick- in -the- bo**ocks- strength black coffee every morning!

agapanthus

That's fantastic news Kathy...so pleased that it's helping you Smile

I've never ever experienced a caffeine high......not that I drink much of it....but it's never perked me up if I've been tired. Perhaps it's just me !!

alison

Well done Kathy

I only drink 2 cups a day, but throughout January OH and I went on a detox and had a 2 day headache from giving up caffine!

Kathy

I was on 2 cups a day, first thing in the morning only as it helped my asthma. I was neither up nor down with it when taking it but did get a bit of a headache the first week I came off it.
I would assume that it affects people differently depending on other factors (lifestyle etc), I don't miss it at all and probably won't drink coffee again. Smile

Leonie2

That's interesting Kathy, well done. I really should try to drink less coffee, I drink way too much at about 6+ cups a day.

kaz

I stopped coffee at Xmas because coffee and red wine seemed to upset my stomach. I had no problems stopping and no side effects - I've actually had alot less headaches since. I drink the occasional cup of tea and some fruity tea bags. I found that if I tried coffee it upset me again but I can drink red wine again now. Hooray Very Happy

Svea

interesting regarding the joint ache.

my OH had arthritis like pains in his joints a couple of years back, did some research, and cut out the solanae family for a while. after gradually reintroducing things, we found it was actually the potatoes doing him in - his mum used to cook them so often, too.

we eat not as many potatoes as other people do, we like them well enough but we also like brown rice and wholemeal pasta in all its different disguises
Wink

i shall keep the caffeine connection in mind for future use.

lloyd

How do potatoes do you in? Confused

Kathy

Potatoes are part of the nightshade (solanae) family of vegetables which certain studies have shown aggravate arthritis.

A few years ago I cut potatoes out of my diet altogether (amongst other things) lost 9 stone and had no arthritic symptoms. Gradually potatoes came back into my diet again and my weight has been creeping back up. I'm getting things back in order again, don't want to aggravate anything.
I remember being told that traditionally potatoes have been used to fatten pigs! Rolling Eyes

From this homeopathic website http://www.homeopathic.com/articles/using_h/arthritis.php

Strategy #2: Avoid arthritis "cooperators." Some evidence suggests that certain foods can aggravate an arthritic condition. Although such foods are not thought to "cause" arthritis, they may "cooperate" with it. Avoid foods from the nightshade family, including tomatoes, eggplant, peppers (except black pepper), and potatoes (except for the potato juice, discussed below). Tobacco is also a member of the nightshade family which can aggravate arthritis. Milk, citrus fruits, and fats are other known cooperaters with arthritis and should be avoided or at least significantly reduced in your diet.

Aqui

Well done Kathy.

I stopped having caffeine about two years ago. Have had far more energy and much less tension since then. I thoroughly recommend it.

If you need an energy boost - try ginseng instead. (Although unfortunately it's not safe to have when breastfeeding)

Becki

lloyd

Kathy, that's remarkable!....I never knew that! Shocked

Becki

I wish I didn't know that.

Svea

yes they can aggrevate things but as with many other types of nutritional 'problems', it may not be the whole nightsahde family.
we worked it out rather like you would work out a food allergy. cut it all out, then reintroduce one at a time back and look for the effects (or lack thereof).
he is perfectly fine with peppers, toms etc etc, just potatoes we are now careful with.

AND the potatoes don't 'cause' it, they just aggrevate it if it's already there.

monkeybum

I have been trying so desperately to give up coffee since before Xmas but every time I try I get blinding headaches, so bad they make me vomit and shake. I always end up going back on coffee just to get rid of the pain and as soon as I have 1 cup it stops. If anyone has any ideas about how I could do it please advise. Very Happy

lloyd

Why not have half a cup, then next time quarter, or still have a full mug but less coffee added each occasion?

alison

or similar to Lloyd, why not mix your coffee with decaff, and gradually change the strength, so first week, 3/4 coffee, 1/4 decaff, then next week 1/2 and 1/2 etc

Becki

Cabbagepatch

If you suddenly stop having tea/coffee/alcohol/bread/junk food etc, your body will get withdrawal symptoms. We are very sensitive or even allergic to the very things our bodies crave. Help your liver and kidneys by cutting back very slowly.

Take two months about it, drink lots of water, take milk thistle as a supplement. It helps the liver detox. Dry skin brushing will speed up elimination of nasties in the lymph glands.

Just take it very slowly Smile