Coffee - Benefits of quitting?

dougndebbi

I would love to hear experiences from anyone who has stopped drinking coffee/regular caffeine.
After the addiction symptoms wear off, did you experience any benefits?
Thanks!

amtyrell

I tried for 40 days last year(for lent,).
I had 4 days of addiction headaches as i went cold Turkey.
I had trouble waking up, i was less gi regular, i missed the taste, my metabolism slowed a little.
At the end of 40 days i looked at it and for me i decided to go back to drinking coffee. I drink mine black or sometimes with a little vanilla extract.

SchweddyGirl

I have cut way down...usually only have 1 cup a day now. I run long distance, and having a cup about an hour before I run helps me to use the bathroom before I go, and avoid the dreaded runner's trots.

spiriteagle99

There are a lot of benefits to drinking coffee, including reducing your chance of getting diabetes and Parkinsons. https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/coffee-new-health-food#1 As long as you don't drink too much, there's no reason to quit.

lemurcat2

I tend to drink it way too much sometimes, and often start drinking it moderately and then end up drinking it all day long, so I quit from time to time to check my own behavior. Lately I realized I was drinking it too much and thought it might have something to do with my sleep issues (which I had been blaming on stress, but the two are related as I tend to sleep too little and drink too much coffee to compensate when work is really stressful). So on Jan 5 started drinking only 1 cup (it can be a full mug, however) of coffee in the morning and no other caffeine. I was super tired that day, but adjusted pretty quickly (I was lucky this time, I've had headaches and a longer adjustment period at other times), and am both sleeping better and feeling somewhat less anxiety.

So quitting could have benefits if you are drinking excessive amounts, but for me merely cutting way, way back helped. (I love coffee, so don't intend to cut out the remaining cup.)

sgt1372

The effects ('benefits" depending on your pov) of stopping the consumption of coffee may, depending on your sensitivity, reduce the effects of caffeine contsined in the coffee consumed (whatever the effects that this caffeine may have on you) and may reduce how often you have to pee.

PAV8888

If you're experiencing adverse effects while drinking coffee... quitting will hopefully help you improve!

You will save some money assuming your don't replace your coffee habit with a more expensive one!

I drink my coffee black, so I wouldn't save me any calories. But if your coffee habit is spendy in terms of calories, it might free you some calories for something else!

I mean... what is the benefit of cutting down on tea? If it is detrimental to you... sure... go ahead. Same applies to coffee!

Oh, wait. Coffee breath improvements? Not spilling coffee on your shirt/blouse/outer-wear/car seat/papers?

Reduced environmental impact <-- actually that's a biggie, cause both the production and consumption of coffee exert an appreciable environmental impact! I most certainly feel guilty-ish about it!

Hmm.... anxiety reduction in some cases. Reduced interference with medications in others.

Well. Wait a second. This is **kitten** backwards question! You're the one quitting... so why are **you** doing it?

misscagal

Is this even an option lol? Seriously though, I have quit a few times but as long as I keep the consumption to a reasonable level I’m not giving it up. I drink it black, 2 cups max a day and rarely after 12. Everything in moderation....

WickedPineapple

I quit for a couple weeks a few years ago to see if stopping would help my GERD. It didn't, so I started drinking it again (except french roast, which definitely gives me immediate heartburn). This past summer I switched to decaf for a couple weeks to see if it would help my anxiety and/or insomnia. It did help a bit with the anxiety, but no other benefits that I'm aware of. So on work days I drink half caf or decaf if I'm anxious already. Otherwise I drink a cup of regular (if not anxious), because tbh it tastes better and perks me up just enough to be worthwhile. I avoid Starbucks coffee though because it gives me the shakes.

seltzermint555

I quit coffee for about 3 months just to see what that would be like. At first, I switched it out with various herbal teas and Roastaroma. Overall? NO change in my (severe but already managed) anxiety. Physically...I was a little less regular, mainly just instead of going to the restroom at home after breakfast it made me need to go mid-morning at work which was not ideal. Sorry if that's way TMI.

Anyway, my 2 cups a day (black) coffee habit has since resumed. I feel like the only negative for me is it does stain my teeth a bit and that's easily fixed but annoying.

sardelsa

I think I gave it up about 7 years ago when I was trying to get pregnant thinking it would help. It didn't. I became angry, irritable, tired and not pregnant so that was not fun. (I have 3 kids now, so I live for coffee )

jhanleybrown

Increasingly, the general consensus is that coffee in moderate amounts may be good for you.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-latest-scoop-on-the-health-benefits-of-coffee-2017092512429

strongwouldbenice

I quit over a year ago as it had become a serious trigger for my anxiety. Stopped all caffeine; coffee, tea, coke cola etc.
Helped my anxiety, though it could have been partially placebo as I put a lot of work into managing it. Other than that, the only real difference is that I don't have that brain fog early in the morning that I used to fix with a coffee. Could also be placebo tbh.
Quitting is a *kitten* though, i would definitely advise cutting back vs going cold turkey. Those headaches are hell.

sijomial

I'm a very low responder to caffeine and can stop, start, increase/decrease rapidly without any issues - I avoid it for a spell before a long cycling event so that on the event itself I can get some anti fatgue benefits from a large dosage.

But for most people it's sensible if you want to reduce or eliminate caffeine to do it steadily rather than a sudden stop and get headaches.

Examine.com has an informative write up, it's not clear what you are hoping to achieve or benefits you seek. My daughter had to avoid caffeine due to a heart irregularity - it had a minor benefit to her.
https://examine.com/supplements/caffeine/

Sylphadora

I stick to one cup per day in the morning/afternoon. I can't it drink in the evening or I'll find it hard to fall sleep at night, as in I'll be tired and my eyelids will feel heavy but I won't fall asleep, which is the worst kind of insomnia ever.

Seltzermint555, have you tried rinsing with saltwater right after drinking coffee? It remineralizes the teeth. Also, homemade toothpaste made with coconut oil and baking soda works wonders, but never brush your teeth right after eating/drinking anything acidic like coffee because acidic foods soften tooth enamel for a time, and brushing too soon after eating them may damage the enamel while it's in its weakened state. Wait at least 30 min for your the pH of your mouth to go back to normal before brushing.

nighthawk584

as I sit here sipping my coffee, I don't see ANY benefit of quitting!

janejellyroll

I have gone through various periods in my life when I was consuming little to no caffeine. I have never noticed a positive difference when I've eliminated it.

If I have too much caffeine (from any form), I do notice increased anxiety. But as long as I stay under what I know is too much caffeine (for me), it doesn't seem to do anything bad for me.

On the positive side, having a cup of coffee in the afternoon seems to work as an appetite suppressant and lets me get comfortably from lunch to dinner.

Luke_rabbit

I had to give up coffee, tea, soda and caffeine due to GERD. ( I gave up lots of other things, too.)

I miss the ability to feel more awake. I miss the taste. I also miss the regularity from coffee.

I don't miss the intense heartburn.

It didn't seem to change anxiety for me.

CSARdiver

I have a strong fear of addiction and every now and then go cold turkey just to see if I can and to see if anything changes.

When I worked in a hospital I could rarely be seen without a cup in hand and measured my intake by carafe. I turned to quality over quantity and have 1-2 cups/day. Never really saw an impact either way positive or negative.

cwolfman13

dougndebbi wrote: »

I would love to hear experiences from anyone who has stopped drinking coffee/regular caffeine.
After the addiction symptoms wear off, did you experience any benefits?
Thanks!

What adverse effects of coffee are you concerned with? Coffee is actually quite nutritious and good for you. It is chalk full of antioxidants and other nutrients.

teresadannar

Benefits for me: 1) Heartburn went away 2) Better dental checkups, less stain.

kshama2001

dougndebbi wrote: »

I would love to hear experiences from anyone who has stopped drinking coffee/regular caffeine.
After the addiction symptoms wear off, did you experience any benefits?
Thanks!

I'd need to know why you were quitting before responding.

TRIHARD36

None

feisty_bucket

The general suggested limit for caffeine/day is 400mg. Within that range, there are cognitive benefits.

As for the coffee itself, it has lots of polyphenols that are good for you. Same for cacao and tea.

If someone's getting too much caffeine, it'd be a good idea to taper down to the 400mg range. Otherwise, carry on.

dougndebbi

Thanks everyone for your responses.
I was intentional about not sharing why I was asking because I wanted to hear peoples’ personal experiences without any bias towards the reason I was asking.

I’m a pretty heavy coffee drinker right now. I have not measured it but would say approximately 600 to 800 mg a day.
I enjoy coffee, and recognize its health benefits, but would be willing to give it up if I had to.
For the past four months I’ve experienced extreme sadness the week of my menstruation. The rest of my life I feel great and am a happy person, but for about four days I am extremely down for no obvious reason. I have had a couple people in my life recommend that cutting back on coffee could be helpful.
I think I’m going to go ahead and cut back to 400 mg or less for a month, and see if that makes any difference.

(In case it matters for any further recommendations- I have drank coffee most of my adult life, am 39, at a healthy BMI (have always been), eat healthy most of the time but enjoy treats when I want to, and walk/run 12 to 15 miles a week.)

cwolfman13

dougndebbi wrote: »

Thanks everyone for your responses.
I was intentional about not sharing why I was asking because I wanted to hear peoples’ personal experiences without any bias towards the reason I was asking.

I’m a pretty heavy coffee drinker right now. I have not measured it but would say approximately 600 to 800 mg a day.
I enjoy coffee, and recognize its health benefits, but would be willing to give it up if I had to.
For the past four months I’ve experienced extreme sadness the week of my menstruation. The rest of my life I feel great and am a happy person, but for about four days I am extremely down for no obvious reason. I have had a couple people in my life recommend that cutting back on coffee could be helpful.
I think I’m going to go ahead and cut back to 400 mg or less for a month, and see if that makes any difference.

(In case it matters for any further recommendations- I have drank coffee most of my adult life, am 39, at a healthy BMI (have always been), eat healthy most of the time but enjoy treats when I want to, and walk/run 12 to 15 miles a week.)

400 Mg is roughly 3 8oz coffees, which is what I normally have in the morning when getting ready for work. I switched to decaf during both of my wife's pregnancies because she wasn't having caffeine and it just made things easier. I didn't notice a difference in anything, but I usually only have 3-4 cups in the morning.

kshama2001

dougndebbi wrote: »

Thanks everyone for your responses.
I was intentional about not sharing why I was asking because I wanted to hear peoples’ personal experiences without any bias towards the reason I was asking.

I’m a pretty heavy coffee drinker right now. I have not measured it but would say approximately 600 to 800 mg a day.
I enjoy coffee, and recognize its health benefits, but would be willing to give it up if I had to.
For the past four months I’ve experienced extreme sadness the week of my menstruation. The rest of my life I feel great and am a happy person, but for about four days I am extremely down for no obvious reason. I have had a couple people in my life recommend that cutting back on coffee could be helpful.
I think I’m going to go ahead and cut back to 400 mg or less for a month, and see if that makes any difference.

(In case it matters for any further recommendations- I have drank coffee most of my adult life, am 39, at a healthy BMI (have always been), eat healthy most of the time but enjoy treats when I want to, and walk/run 12 to 15 miles a week.)

1. Probably a good idea to cut back to 400 mg or less anyway
2. Probably has no relation to your menstrual blues. Does this happen beforehand, or during?

H_Ock12

Advantage - I dont drink plan coffee so cutting out coffee cuts down a host of calories for me.

Disadvantages - headaches, grogginess, sluggishness, lack of focus, irritation, constipation, the urge to go around ounhing people for no reason, decreased endurance in long runs

lynn_glenmont

dougndebbi wrote: »

Thanks everyone for your responses.
I was intentional about not sharing why I was asking because I wanted to hear peoples’ personal experiences without any bias towards the reason I was asking.

I’m a pretty heavy coffee drinker right now. I have not measured it but would say approximately 600 to 800 mg a day.
I enjoy coffee, and recognize its health benefits, but would be willing to give it up if I had to.
For the past four months I’ve experienced extreme sadness the week of my menstruation. The rest of my life I feel great and am a happy person, but for about four days I am extremely down for no obvious reason. I have had a couple people in my life recommend that cutting back on coffee could be helpful.
I think I’m going to go ahead and cut back to 400 mg or less for a month, and see if that makes any difference.

(In case it matters for any further recommendations- I have drank coffee most of my adult life, am 39, at a healthy BMI (have always been), eat healthy most of the time but enjoy treats when I want to, and walk/run 12 to 15 miles a week.)

If it were the coffee, wouldn't you be sad all the time? It seems more likely it's a hormonal issue, and you might want to see a doctor.

lisa2113940

I stopped having so much nervous energy and anxiety attacks throughout the day. I stopped getting headaches from withdrawal when I waited too long to have my first cup or failed to drink enough. I basically realized that I'm actually a much more calm, stable person than I thought after drinking way too much coffee daily for years.

hesn92

I used to drink a ton of coffee all day long and once I stopped and just stuck with one or two in the morning I found I had more energy and stopped having that afternoon slump