Coffee and other caffeinated beverages make up a large portion of liquid consumption in all countries. Unfortunately, caffeine is a very addictive drug and can do the body a lot of harm.
The adrenal glands, situated on top of the kidneys, normally secrete adrenalin in response to the “fight or flight” system of the body. This is why in situations where you need to be alert you can be. This is why people can lift cars in an emergency. This system is great when the body does it naturally. What people don’t realize is that caffeine can seriously affect these glands causing damage.
Caffeine causes this system to fire. This is why drinking caffeine causes one to be alert and able to focus better. There is also less need for sleep. If this is done once in a while the body can generally adjust. The problem occurs for those who consume caffeine on a regular basis to achieve this alertness. The adrenal glands secrete adrenalin in response to the caffeine and since for many drinking caffeine is a regular occurrence the adrenal glands do not get a break. The concern here is that eventually the adrenal glands try to secrete adrenalin that is no longer available, having to dig deeper into the body’s system to get what they need. This is why after a couple of hours, when the body begins to wind down people reach for another coffee or coke. As time goes on the requirement of caffeine to maintain the same level of alertness increases. This is what causes “adrenal exhaustion.” This is what causes crashes. The need for sleep increases dramatically and one may become confused, irritable, depressed and even experience mood swings.
How much is too much? Research shows that as little as one 14 oz cup of coffee per day is enough. Eat a well balanced breakfast and lunch and get an appropriate amount of sleep and one will be just as alert and a lot healthier.
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