HOW TO REDUCE YOUR DAILY CAFFEINE INTAKE

If the first thing you want to do each morning is to drink a coffee before you feel like you can even contemplate beginning your day, then the chances are you’ve developed some degree of caffeine dependency.

Caffeine is a fast-acting stimulant that makes you feel more awake and energetic. Depending on the strength and quantity of caffeine consumed, its effects can last for many hours. For this reason, it’s advisable to schedule your caffeine intake earlier in the day to avoid disrupting sleep. Caffeine is present in many different forms, such as teas, soft drinks, energy drinks, chocolate and certain medications.

How Does Caffeine Affect the Body?

Whilst caffeine can help improve alertness and performance by increasing adrenaline levels, it also inhibits and lowers the effect of certain neurotransmitters such as adenosine that encourages sleep. These neurotransmitters accumulate throughout the day, and their role is to signal the brain to prepare the body for sleep. Therefore, consuming just a few cups of caffeine per day can affect your ability to enjoy a restful night in bed.

Caffeine Takes Time to Process

It is also important to note that it can take up to six hours for half of the quantity of caffeine ingested to leave your body. This timeline means the cup of coffee you enjoyed at 4 pm will still affect you at 10 pm that night.

A Gut Feeling

Caffeine is acidic, and excess intake can generate acid reflux and other digestive discomforts in some people. Even though the body naturally balances its pH level, the effect on each individual can be different. Particularly if you already have pre-existing digestive issues.

Drinking a caffeinated beverage straight after a meal can inhibit the absorption of essential minerals such as Iron. It can also interact with some medications, such as thyroid medication, thus reducing its absorption and efficacy within the body.

Some People are Sensitive or Intolerant to Caffeine

Everyone has a different tolerance level to caffeine; factors such as age, genetics, weight, and the ability of your liver to process caffeine all affect how it makes you feel. For some people, too much caffeine reduces their sleep quality and can contribute to anxiety, heart palpitations, nervousness, headaches, and general irritability.

Caffeine Withdrawal Symptoms – How to Gradually Reduce Your Daily Intake

It’s common for many people when they begin reducing or stopping caffeine to suffer withdrawal symptoms. These may include headaches, low energy, fatigue, sleepiness and a lack of concentration. These initial symptoms can last anywhere from 2-9 days and they generally pass without causing too much discomfort. However, you can use numerous natural methods to support your body during these symptoms of caffeine withdrawal.  

1. Reduce the number of cups of coffee you drink each day. For example, if you usually have three cups per day, try reducing this to two cups per day in the first week, and then to one cup per day in the second week and so on. You can also use this approach to reduce energy drinks and other caffeinated beverages.
2. Substitute decaffeinated options in-between your caffeinated drinks. Please note that decaffeinated drinks generally contain small amounts of caffeine, so they can still have an impact.
3. Find an alternative to caffeine. For example, herbal teas can be used to replace one of your daily cups of coffee.
4. Stay well hydrated. Doing so will reduce your chances of experiencing headaches.
5. Sleep as long or as much as you need, as your body will feel tired. The more rest you get and the earlier you go to bed (especially within the first ten days), the less you will need a caffeine boost the next day.
6. Eat a nutrient-dense diet so you receive sufficient vitamins and minerals to support your body when you feel sluggish. Choose foods that release energy gradually, such as oats, rather than high carbohydrate or sugary foods that provide a quick boost followed by an energy crash.
7. Try implementing a regular exercise routine to boost your energy levels naturally.
8. Ask yourself when you do decide to have a coffee – do you really need it, or is it just a habit you can break?  
9. If you find yourself drinking a lot of black tea, try reducing the amount of time you brew it for. This method allows you to drink a weaker version each time to wean yourself off the caffeine slowly.
10. Check the ingredients in any medication you might be taking. For example, many painkillers contain high levels of caffeine.

These are a few easy steps to help support your mind and body while reducing your caffeine intake. If you can get through the first ten days, you will find your energy levels will naturally increase. This change will gradually make you feel alert in a more balanced way without having to include caffeine in your daily diet

Conclusion

Caffeine is addictive. Even though there are benefits and disadvantages of consuming it regularly, it is essential to recognise whether you feel like you need it to function at your fullest capacity. Caffeine dependence can indicate other underlying issues such as fatigue, which can be addressed as a potential root cause of your addiction. Cutting back or reducing excess caffeine intake can be beneficial for your health and considered a positive step in supporting your body’s overall health. The secret to everything is about balance, moderation and getting good health advice.

Make Your Goals a Reality

There are several ways that we can help you reduce your caffeine intake at Kamalaya. Examples of our Wellness programs that align well with this particular health goal include Enriched Gut, Sleep Enhancement and our Detox programs. Contact us to find out more about our holistic approach to enhancing your health and wellbeing.

Read more about Enriched Gut Program, Detox Program and our range of results-based Stress and Burnout programs here.