Coffee - Benefits of quitting?

dougndebbi
dougndebbi Posts: 2 Member
edited December 24 in Health and Weight Loss
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!
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Replies

  • lemurcat2
    lemurcat2 Posts: 7,885 Member
    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
    sgt1372 Posts: 3,997 Member
    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.
  • WickedPineapple
    WickedPineapple Posts: 698 Member
    edited January 2020
    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.
  • jhanleybrown
    jhanleybrown Posts: 240 Member
    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
    strongwouldbenice Posts: 153 Member
    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.
  • Sylphadora
    Sylphadora Posts: 75 Member
    edited January 2020
    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.
  • Luke_rabbit
    Luke_rabbit Posts: 1,031 Member
    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
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
    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
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    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
    teresadannar Posts: 199 Member
    Benefits for me: 1) Heartburn went away 2) Better dental checkups, less stain.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    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
    TRIHARD36 Posts: 51 Member
    None
  • feisty_bucket
    feisty_bucket Posts: 1,047 Member
    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.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    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
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    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
    H_Ock12 Posts: 1,152 Member
    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
  • lisa2113940
    lisa2113940 Posts: 21 Member
    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
    hesn92 Posts: 5,966 Member
    edited January 2020
    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
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