Side effects and dangers of coffee: the facts you need to know

Side effects and dangers of coffee: the facts you need to know

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world, enjoyed by hundreds of millions of people every day. However, despite the many benefits of coffee, we cannot ignore its possible side effects and harms. In this article, we will explore the possible negative effects of coffee on health.

1. Excessive caffeine intake

Caffeine is one of the most important and well-known ingredients in coffee. Moderate caffeine intake can boost alertness, improve cognitive function, and promote restlessness. However, excessive caffeine intake can lead to problems such as palpitations, insomnia, anxiety, and indigestion.

In addition, long-term and excessive consumption of high-concentration caffeine beverages (such as energy drinks) can also increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke.

2. Impact on sleep quality

Most people enjoy a cup of coffee when they wake up in the morning to help them wake up. However, if you consume coffee in the evening, it may have a negative impact on your sleep quality.

Caffeine can interfere with the body's natural sleep cycle and prolong the time it takes to fall asleep, which means if you have a caffeinated drink in the evening, it could lead to insomnia and late nights.

3. Stimulates the digestive system

Many people find that they feel gastrointestinal discomfort after drinking a cup of strong coffee. This is because certain ingredients in coffee can stimulate gastric acid secretion and speed up intestinal peristalsis.

For those who already have existing problems such as stomach ulcers or gastroesophageal reflux, excessive coffee intake may aggravate symptoms and trigger more serious digestive issues.

4. Increased risk of frequent urination and dehydration

Due to its diuretic effect, consuming large amounts of highly caffeinated beverages, such as espresso, may cause frequent urination and dehydration.

In addition, coffee can inhibit the body's absorption of certain minerals, such as calcium, iron, and zinc. Long-term and large-scale drinking of coffee may lead to the deficiency of these minerals, thus affecting physical health.

5. Impact on pregnant and lactating women

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should be especially careful about the amount of caffeine they consume. Excessive caffeine intake may increase the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, and low birth weight in newborns.

In addition, breast milk also contains small amounts of caffeine. If the mother drinks a lot of highly caffeinated beverages, the baby will receive too much stimulation when feeding and may cause discomfort or sleep problems.

in conclusion

Although drinking a cup of delicious and fragrant coffee is one of the essential rituals for many people every day, we cannot ignore its potential side effects and harms. It is acceptable to enjoy the benefits of coffee in moderation, but excessive intake of caffeine may have a negative impact on health. Therefore, we should reasonably control the intake of coffee according to personal circumstances and health conditions.