MENU
Compare Selected 0
​Coffee: A Go or A No?

Posted by Iren Frasheri, CNP on 2018 Dec 6th

​Coffee: A Go or A No?

It’s no surprise that we live in a city (country… world…) that basically lives off of coffee. That steamy, warm cup of “Joe” that you just cannot live without. So, I’m here to tell you: there’s good news and there’s bad news. But mostly good.

I’ll start with the bad news first (you know, just to get it out of the way): EVERYTHING should be done in moderation, and that includes coffee. Those multiple cups a day that seem to be “getting you through your day” are not the best idea. There are few – but important – things we depend on daily to keep us alive including oxygen, water, and food, and coffee is not one of them. Although it may feel like you would lack energy without it, that’s your body’s way of telling you that something is off.

In today’s society, a typical day for someone living in a big, busy city like Toronto means getting up early, rushing breakfast, having a cup of coffee of course, and probably buying lunch somewhere close to the office (which you’re sitting at all day). It continues with a long commute back home, watching TV or creeping your phone for a few hours, sleeping later than planned and waking up tired just to do it all over again. And THAT is the issue. We all have different schedules but let’s assume you work the typical 9-5 office job. If you start your day with less than 7 hours of sleep, you’re already set up for tiredness. Then let’s say you’re running around getting ready and therefore skipping breakfast or having empty calorie food and commuting to work just to sit all day. Not to mention the numerous hours in front of screens; whether it be your phone or computer. This whole day is just set up for lots of sitting, snacking/eating, starring at screens; all of which are activities that would naturally make someone very tired and/or bored.

Insert coffee in to this day and you feel like you finally get that ounce of energy that you “need” to get by. Here’s the thing: coffee can be beneficial for increasing energy, improving workouts, it contains fiber and vitamins B2, B3, B5, manganese and potassium, and so much more. However, just as I mentioned in the beginning: all things in moderation.

So, enjoy that morning cup of coffee but if your body feels dependent on it then take a step back and have a look at your health. If you’re constantly tired, try to sleep earlier and see how you feel or substitute the refined white sugar and cow’s milk in your coffee for alternatives like almond milk and coconut oil. Try new health habits or consult a Natural Health Care Practitioner to see if your adrenal glands are struggling. This way you can enjoy that daily cup of coffee without the dependence.

Verdict: coffee is a GO! (In moderation, of course…)

  • -Iren Frasheri, CNP

References

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-13-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-coffee#section5