Coffee has been popular for a very long time. Nowadays, we can get coffee and caffeine anywhere. There’s Starbucks, McCafe, Nescafe, and many more. But has anyone told you not to drink coffee because it’s bad for you?
Well, they’re wrong! There is so much misinformation about coffee that we often hear. Below listed the most popular myths about coffee and caffeine.
Myths about coffee and caffeine
1) Caffeine is bad for you
- No, it is not bad for you.
- It depends on how much caffeine you consume in a day. For healthy adults, it is safe to consume 400 milligrams of coffee a day.
- In certain studies, drinking three cups of coffee a day can lower the risk of strokes.
- Besides that, tea can also has the same effect. Tea can lower the risk by 30%, and so do dark chocolates.
- Other benefits of caffeine are it decreases the risk of specific cancers. Aside from that, caffeine decreases the risk of liver disease. It also reduces inflammation.
2) Caffeine makes up for lost sleep
- No, it will not help you make up for the loss of sleep.
- The only thing that you need for your lost sleep is adequate, restful sleep.
- Instead, what caffeine does is increases your alertness, which makes you feel like you are energetic.
- If you choose not to sleep by replacing it with drinking coffee, your sleeping pattern will get affected.
3) Decaf coffee does not have caffeine
- Decaf coffee is short for decaffeinated coffee.
- It is a myth that decaf coffee does not contain caffeine. There is still a bit of caffeine left after 97% of caffeine is removed.
- Doctors usually recommend decaf coffee to people who suffer from acid reflux. Drinking decaf coffee will help reduce the symptoms of acid reflux.
4) Drinking coffee stunts your growth
- False! Drinking coffee does not have anything to do with your growth.
- Growth happens during childhood and adolescence.
- Besides that, bone growth also depends on your overall health, if you have a chronic illness, suffer from malnutrition, or genetics.
5) Caffeine dehydrates you
- No, wrong!
- What makes you feel thirsty after consuming coffee is the additives such as the amount of sugar you put in a cup of coffee.
- Another reason for you to feel thirsty is that you do not drink enough fluids.
6) Caffeine detoxes your body
- It is not true that caffeine detoxes your body.
- Have you heard about a coffee enema? Studies show that there are several risks of the coffee enema. A coffee enema can cause injury to your colon. Besides that, you will experience a burning sensation. Then, you will suffer from a bowel perforation.
- If you want to detox your body, water is the answer. Water is a detoxifying agent.
7) Caffeine is addictive
- Sounds familiar, right? Coffee is addictive, but no. It is false!
- Caffeine is not considered an addicting substance.
- You may feel horrible for a couple of days or three without coffee, nevertheless, you will get used to it.
8) Having more than one cup of coffee is not good for you
- As has been mentioned in myth #1, it is safe to consume up to 400 milligrams of caffeine a day. It is considered a safe amount.
- However, different people should have different intakes of caffeine. For instance, pregnant women or people with certain conditions should ask their doctors about the matter.
9) You won’t be able to sleep at night after having a cup of coffee
- The way a cup of coffee affects you and your brain may vary from other people.
- Sometimes, having trouble sleeping at night may come from your genetics.
- While drinking a cup of coffee at night won’t make you unable to sleep, it may cause you to have sleep problems (less amount of sleep, etc)
10) Caffein messes with your heart rhythm
- No, it does not mess up the rhythm of your heart.
- Instead, what you may be feeling is your heart racing or having a heart palpitation. Sometimes, coffee increases your blood pressure.
- Worry not! These things are only temporary and harmless.
- However, if you are concerned, make sure to talk to your doctor.
11) Tea is healthier than coffee
- Coffee is a major source of antioxidants.
- However, it does not mean that tea is unhealthy. Tea has benefits it could give our bodies.
- Furthermore, knowing which is more healthy depends on what kind of tea or coffee you are drinking.
12) The way coffee is prepared does not matter
- It matters.
- When preparing coffee, make sure to check the particle size, brewing time, water temperature, and caffeine dilution.
There you have it, the myths about coffee and caffeine. If someone mentions these myths to you, throw them with only facts.
Source: Science Insider