Caffeine: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly!

If you are like me there is nothing better than a cup of coffee in the morning, but do you know the effects of coffee and caffeine on the body?

Well in this blog we are going to cover a few of the effects caffeine has, how it affects your health and small great small changes you can make!

The current guidelines for the amount of caffeine you should drink per day is up to 400 milligrams a day which equates to about four cups of coffee.

Now let’s look at 4 ways caffeine alters your health and affects your bodyThe first effect of caffeine is that it will increase your alertness because it is a stimulant to the body. It is believed to work by blocking the neurotransmitter adenosine's receptors, increasing excitability in the brain.

The second effect of caffeine on the body is that it can increase the blood pressure and heart rate for a short time. This effect is thought to be attributed to either an increase in adrenaline or a temporary block on the hormones that naturally widen your arteries. In most people, there is no long-term effect on blood pressure, but if you have irregular heart rhythms, caffeine may make your heart work harder. If you have high blood pressure (hypertension) or heart-related problems, ask your doctor if caffeine is safe for you to consume.

The third effect of caffeine on the body is that it may lead to osteoporosis if drunk in large amounts. This is because caffeine interferes with the metabolization and absorption of calcium in the body, which is one of the main components in bone health.

The final effect is one that you may not have thought about, but caffeine has been shown to affect the production of oestrogen which means that if you are trying to have a baby it may be a good idea to reduce or lay off the coffee.