So, if you read my previous post about the pro's of drinking coffee, you might think that it's time to increase your intake. Well, if so, I'd just say hang on a sec and read this post first...
I do really enjoy a coffee and also the mental benefits I get from it. I feel awake, alert, happy and even rather hyper (many a friend and client can vouch for the hyperactivity part!). However, I know it's not the best thing for me. Whether I have a gene that doesn't process coffee very well I'm not sure, but after that 'high' I definitely go through a 'come-down' phase. God forbid the barista makes my order wrong and gives me two shots of espresso instead of one! It's not a pretty sight and again, unfortunately friends can also vouch for this 'come-down' phase after 2 shots of espresso! (Sorry Laura!)
Anyway, enough about me and my Chinese genes! How much coffee can be classed as too much coffee?
The answer... Five cups.
Any more than 5 cups of coffee a day and you can start to see negative effects. Again, this all depends on the type of coffee that you have and also how you process it. I wouldn't recommend even 4 lattes a day to be honest. All the calories from the sugars and milks can really not help your body.
When you start to rely on coffee throughout the day to keep you going, your body begins to build up a tolerance and therefore you need to drink more to see the same effect.
It's also good to note that it can take up to 6 hours for coffee to leave your body. So, if you have a coffee around 5pm in the afternoon, it could really have an impact on your sleep. Plus, not forgetting, when you have had a bad night's sleep you're super tired in the morning... so bring on the coffee!
So the cycle continues!
So what is the best way to drink coffee? I would say to drink it only when you really need it.
I allow myself 2 coffees a week and I save those for times when I know I'm going to be needing it. Maybe on a day where I'm up early and not had a good sleep? 'Time of the month' when I'm not feeling my best?
I'm not saying you can't have your morning coffee, just maybe be more conscious about how many cups you're drinking and if you skip the odd one or two in the afternoon, does it affect your sleep?
I'll let you be the judge...
Plus, if you're interested in saving the environment whilst you drink, why not treat yourself to this little reusable coffee mug! Coffee shops take them as they are suited to the coffee machines plus you can even get 25p discount per cup of coffee at Costa! Win win right? Just click the link below...
Thanks so much for reading,
Emmaline