Caffeine

PlunderBunneh
PlunderBunneh Posts: 1,705 Member
edited October 4 in Food and Nutrition
Can someone please explain to me why it is bad? And in what amounts? I workout/feel/function so much better when I get my caffeine for the day. Not a whole lot, but probably 3-4 cups of coffee worth. I don't get headaches without it, but I'm kind of cranky and have no motivation.
I hate to sounds like an idiot, but what is wrong with a bit of caffeine here and there?

Replies

  • TinaDay1114
    TinaDay1114 Posts: 1,328 Member
    I've often wondered the same thing...BUMP!
  • ElizabethRoad
    ElizabethRoad Posts: 5,138 Member
    Who said it's bad? I love caffeine. In reasonable amounts, of course.
  • UpEarly
    UpEarly Posts: 2,555 Member
    There may be a small percentage of people who have medical problems that necessitate the avoidance of caffeine, but for most people moderate amounts of caffeine are completely fine and safe.

    I've never heard anyone credible give a valid reason for the general public avoiding caffeine.
  • PB67
    PB67 Posts: 376
    The only problem with caffeine is when there isn't enough of it.
  • megpapier
    megpapier Posts: 60 Member
    I must drink up to 8 cups of coffee a day lol it helps me not snack on other things throughout the day since I have a desk job and get bored easily. I haven't noticed any negative consequences personally though I'm of course not recommending anyone drink as much coffee as I lol I admit it is a tad excessive....
  • Beezil
    Beezil Posts: 1,677 Member
    http://www.livestrong.com/article/418425-is-too-much-coffee-bad-for-your-kidneys/
  • MissMaryMac33
    MissMaryMac33 Posts: 1,433 Member
    There is nthing wrong wih it -- its all in moderation.

    I have 3 links in my signaure becaus this comes up ALL THE TIME.
  • ElizabethRoad
    ElizabethRoad Posts: 5,138 Member
    http://www.livestrong.com/article/418425-is-too-much-coffee-bad-for-your-kidneys/
    "However, this study also found that having three to four cups of coffee a day is not harmful to your kidneys. Therefore, drinking coffee in moderation is not bad for your kidneys."
  • UpEarly
    UpEarly Posts: 2,555 Member
    http://www.livestrong.com/article/418425-is-too-much-coffee-bad-for-your-kidneys/

    All I got from that article was "However, this study also found that having three to four cups of coffee a day is not harmful to your kidneys. Therefore, drinking coffee in moderation is not bad for your kidneys."

    Coffee=Caffeine=Awesome

    :-)
  • sammys1girly
    sammys1girly Posts: 1,045 Member
    Same as most of the above answers...in moderation. That's my motto in all my eating and drinking..everything in moderation so I don't have to deprive myself of anything I enjoy, just practice some self control!:wink:
  • silvergurl518
    silvergurl518 Posts: 4,123 Member
    3-4 cups of coffee isn't the most i've heard but definitely is a lot by many standards. i'm sure others have given you the scientific reasons--caffeine is a drug and accelerates heart rate and is a diuretic (makes you retain water and can dehydrate you---not to mention you pee more).

    i have anxiety so i limit my caffeine to about one cup of coffee per day. find what works for you but remember, it's a drug....so moderation is the key.
  • TinaDay1114
    TinaDay1114 Posts: 1,328 Member
    I get my caffeine from black tea -- supposedly not as much caffeine as coffee, but I like it dark enough that you can't see through it. Mmmmm...I shoulda been born a BRIT!! :laugh:
  • SPheonix22
    SPheonix22 Posts: 90 Member
    Caffeine is not bad. Coffee can hurt your kidneys if you don't drink enough. But if you NEED it there a little dependency going on with or without headaches. Moderation is key.
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    meh i've had 800mgs of caffeine daily for months on end and no ill effects
  • jskaggs1971
    jskaggs1971 Posts: 371 Member
    I can't speak to the medical world out there, but I can add this: After several bouts of surgery for kidney stones, my urologist told me I needed to simply drink a lot. He said whether it was water, juice, soda, beer, coffee, or whatever, the net effect was about the same. He did advise me to avoid tea, because of the tannins which were a factor in my specific kind of stones.

    Personally, I have several cups of strong black coffee in the morning, and the occasional cup in the afternoon/evening as well. Stay well hydrated, and your kidneys will flush themselves.
  • knittnponder
    knittnponder Posts: 1,953 Member
    Caffeine is the secret ingredient that makes me human!
  • AnninStPaul
    AnninStPaul Posts: 1,372 Member
    3-4 cups of coffee isn't the most i've heard but definitely is a lot by many standards. i'm sure others have given you the scientific reasons--caffeine is a drug and accelerates heart rate and is a diuretic (makes you retain water and can dehydrate you---not to mention you pee more).

    i have anxiety so i limit my caffeine to about one cup of coffee per day. find what works for you but remember, it's a drug....so moderation is the key.

    Also...if you drink a lot of coffee, you develop a tolerance and it is not as effective as a stimulant.. Which means when you need something to keep you awake (like when I'm travelling overseas for work), you need a lot more. I usually keep my regular coffee to the morning (~2c) and drink water/herb tea the rest of the day.
  • macpatti
    macpatti Posts: 4,280 Member
    I have fibroid cysts and have always been told caffeine is bad for that. I also have anxiety, and have been told I should watch my intake of caffeine. BUT, I also get migraines and I'm told to drink caffeine when I have one.

    It's all about moderation. I drink 1-2 cups a day with no problems. Just make sure you're still drinking water. Also watch what you put in your coffee.
  • Thomasm198
    Thomasm198 Posts: 3,189 Member
    For anybody that doesn't have a medical condition where a doctor recommends avoiding coffee, there is absolutely nothing wrong with coffee.

    If I was cut off from coffee there would be a huge increase in the murder rate. :laugh:
  • mmmichelle8486
    mmmichelle8486 Posts: 269 Member
    For anybody that doesn't have a medical condition where a doctor recommends avoiding coffee, there is absolutely nothing wrong with coffee.

    If I was cut off from coffee there would be a huge increase in the murder rate. :laugh:

    addict.
  • PlunderBunneh
    PlunderBunneh Posts: 1,705 Member
    Awesome.
    I should mention, when I say 3-4 cups, I mean 3-4 measuring cups. Comes out to one and a half or two travel mugs.
    I use one packet of truvia and two tablespoons of fat free creamer for each mug. I always log it and take it into account for my breakfast.

    I'm really not one of those people to be freaked out by being "addicted" to something, and therefor avoid it even if it isn't bad. I'm addicted to oxygen too, but that doesn't mean I'm gonna quit.
  • mbroeckelmanpost
    mbroeckelmanpost Posts: 44 Member
    In moderation, caffeine is fine. Coffee and tea actually have a lot of positive health benefits-- improved brain function, improved physical performance, lower risk of several diseases
  • javamonster
    javamonster Posts: 272 Member
    ...-caffeine is a drug and accelerates heart rate and is a diuretic (makes you retain water and can dehydrate you---not to mention you pee more).

    I'm just wondering if you realize what a contradictory statement this is. If you're peeing more, you're not retaining as much water, sorry! That's what diuretics do - cause you to pass more urine. :flowerforyou:
  • HMonsterX
    HMonsterX Posts: 3,000 Member
    ...-caffeine is a drug and accelerates heart rate and is a diuretic (makes you retain water and can dehydrate you---not to mention you pee more).

    I'm just wondering if you realize what a contradictory statement this is. If you're peeing more, you're not retaining as much water, sorry! That's what diuretics do - cause you to pass more urine. :flowerforyou:
    Exactly my thoughts! That's why water itself is a diuretic.
  • redraidergirl2009
    redraidergirl2009 Posts: 2,560 Member
    3-4 cups of coffee is roughly 300-500 mgs of caffeine, give or take depending on the type of coffee.
    A soda has probably 50mg per can,
    so about half as much

    Too much caffeine can lead to irritability, headaches, dehydration, and even elicit panic attacks and other psychological problems in others such as anxiety.

    How much is too much?
    It varies.
    It is thought 400-500mg is the "safe" amount to have per day.

    How much a person can handle varies person to person, women on bc take longer to metabolize caffeine thus increasing it's half-life.

    Personally I cannot have more than 150-200mgs per day,
    per sitting I cannot do more than 100 without getting heart palpitations.
  • Thomasm198
    Thomasm198 Posts: 3,189 Member
    3-4 cups of coffee is roughly 300-500 mgs of caffeine, give or take depending on the type of coffee.
    A soda has probably 50mg per can,
    so about half as much

    Too much caffeine can lead to irritability, headaches, dehydration, and even elicit panic attacks and other psychological problems in others such as anxiety.

    How much is too much?
    It varies.
    It is thought 400-500mg is the "safe" amount to have per day.

    How much a person can handle varies person to person, women on bc take longer to metabolize caffeine thus increasing it's half-life.

    Personally I cannot have more than 150-200mgs per day,
    per sitting I cannot do more than 100 without getting heart palpitations.

    Based on the numbers you have quoted, I'm probably getting between 600 to 1,000mgs of caffeine most days (and have been for over 20 years).

    No wonder energy drinks have no effect on me. :laugh:
  • istalkzombies
    istalkzombies Posts: 344 Member
    http://www.livestrong.com/article/418425-is-too-much-coffee-bad-for-your-kidneys/
    "However, this study also found that having three to four cups of coffee a day is not harmful to your kidneys. Therefore, drinking coffee in moderation is not bad for your kidneys."

    haha I was gonna quote the same thing.
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