Most people are unaware of the ill effect of drinking coffee because of pesticides; the bean roasting process and the fact it contains so much caffeine. Coffee is, in fact, a severely damaging narcotic beverage. The chemicals used as pesticides and the processing to make it a beverage and nutrient deficiencies drinking it causes adds to the ill effects of drinking coffee.
Caffeine dangers
The caffeine in the coffee belongs to the same alkaloid group of chemicals as morphine, cocaine and strychnine. It is no surprise then why people have such a difficult time letting go of coffee and replacing it with healthier beverages.
Caffeine raises levels of adrenaline and cortisol, which can increase heart rate and blood pressure. It can also cause digestive issues such as upset stomach, nausea and heartburn. It can also cause headaches, dizziness, and muscle tremors or twitches.
Caffeine also increases urination leading to dehydration. This can also cause urinary tract infections especially for people that are diabetic.
Coffee and the bowels
Caffeine combines with the stomach’s hydrochloric acid and forms a potent toxin, caffeine hydrochloride. As this toxin is absorbed into the portal circulation and hits the liver, bile is released in an attempt to flush the toxin from the system. This accounts for the increase in bowel “regularity” of which many coffee drinkers boast.
Unfortunately, due to ignorance of the facts, it is not known that this is an unnatural process that can do more harm than good. Consuming cascara sagrada, senna and plenty of fibre, can nave the same effect naturally without the harmful chemicals ingested when drinking coffee. Fibre also helps to feed the beneficial bacteria in the intestines. A tablespoon of psyllium husks, taken daily in a large glass of water, can resolve most colon issues very quickly and helps to make the transit of waste smooth and painless.
Harmful chemicals in coffee
Contrary to what the billion-dollar coffee industry promotes, there are many chemicals used in the production of coffee that are harmful to health. Drinking decaffeinated coffee is no safer than drinking normal coffee because of the large concentration of the chemical trichloroethylene used in the decaffeinating process. It is used mainly as a de-greasing agent in the metal industry and as a solvent and dry-cleaning agent in the clothing industry. Trichloroethylene is related to plastic chemical vinyl chloride, which has been linked to certain types of liver cancer.
Pesticides and coffee
Columbian coffee planters regularly use deadly pesticides on their plants and have done so for decades. Some include Aldrin, Dieldrin, Chlordane and Heptachlor. Coffee beans are the most significant source of these deadly toxins in the diet.
The extreme temperatures in the roasting process of coffee beans depletes the beans of its natural oils and any nutrients in the coffee bean. Though it may enhance their aroma, high heat causes the oils to become rancid.
Over consumption of the chlorogenic acid found in coffee also causes highly toxic side effects such as digestive upsets and toxic exhaustion of the liver, pancreas and adrenal glands and may cause diarrhoea especially where coffee and prunes are concerned.
Nutrient deficiencies caused by over consumption of coffee
Due to the nutrient deficiencies, caused by excessive coffee consumption, the result can be diarrhoea, insomnia, visual problems, muscle twitching and even convulsions. There is evidence that coffee interferes with the action of vitamin A which will affect the eyes.
How coffee affects vitamin B1 (thiamine) in the body
Coffee has a mild diuretic effect, which increases urination. Water soluble vitamins, such as the B vitamins, can be depleted because of the fluid loss. In addition, it interferes with the metabolism of some B vitamins, such as vitamin B1 (thiamine).
Heavy coffee drinkers suffer from vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency which has been linked to severe mental illness. Beriberi is the vitamin deficiency disease in which the body does not have enough vitamin B1. Beriberi literally means “I can’t, I can’t” in Singhalese, which reflects the crippling effect it has on its victims. Thiamine serves as a coenzyme in the chemical pathway responsible for the metabolism of carbohydrates. Persons may become deficient in thiamine either by not ingesting enough vitamin B1 through the diet or by excess use, which may occur in hyperthyroidism, pregnancy, lactation or fever.
Prolonged diarrhoea may impair the body’s ability to absorb vitamin B1, and severe liver disease impairs its use. Swelling of bodily tissues (oedema) is common.
Signs of B1 deficiency
- Abdominal pain
- Anorexia
- Apathy
- Appetite loss
- Constipation
- Depression
- Drowsiness
- Enlarged liver
- Extreme fatigue
- Forgetfulness
- Gastrointestinal disturbances
- Heart changes
- Laboured breathing
- Muscle aches and weakness and limb pains
- Nausea and vomiting
- Nervousness
- Numbness of the hands and feet
- Oedema
- Pain and sensitivity
- Poor concentration and coordination
- Severe weight loss
- Swollen joints
- Tingling sensations
How coffee affects vitamin D in the body
Coffee inhibits vitamin D receptors, which limit the amount that will be absorbed. Because vitamin D is important in the absorption and use of calcium in building bone, this could also decrease bone mineral density, resulting in an increased risk for osteoporosis. It also causes loss of minerals from the bones, (osteomalacia) where the bones are sore, tender, and weak muscles with the possibility of deafness developing. Working indoors and drinking plenty of coffee is going to reduce vitamin D levels to a point where the immune system can become compromised and infections are more likely to occur.
How coffee affects inorsitol in the body
Coffee blocks absorption of inositol one of the B vitamin co-factors. It assists the B vitamins to function more effectively. Inositol plays an important part in the health of cell membranes especially the specialised cells in the brain, bone marrow, eyes and intestines.
Cell membranes are responsible for regulating the contents of the cells, to enable the cells to function correctly. It also promotes healthy hair and hair growth and helps in controlling oestrogen levels. Inositol is needed for health at cellular level.
A good concentration of inositol is found in the lens of the eye as well as the heart. Inositol is closely related to choline – in fact the two work together to make neurotransmitters and the fatty substances for cell membranes, as well as helping to metabolise and move out fats from the liver.
How coffee affects iron in the body
Coffee interferes with the body’s absorption of iron, which is necessary for red blood cell production. Drinking caffeine at the same time as an iron source can reduce absorption by up to 80%.
How coffee affects calcium in the body
The caffeine in coffee also causes calcium to be excreted in the urine and faeces. For every 150 mg of coffee ingested, (about the amount in one cup of coffee), 5 mg of calcium is lost. This effect occurs even hours after the consumption of caffeine. Postmenopausal women who consume more than 300 mg of coffee per day lose more bone in the spine than women who consumed less. Coffee also inhibits the amount of calcium that is absorbed through the intestinal tract and depletes the amount retained by the bones. People with high coffee intake suffer more hip fractures than those that avoid coffee.
Other minerals affected by coffee
Coffee also also reduces the absorption of manganese, zinc and copper. It also increases the excretion of the minerals magnesium, potassium, sodium and phosphorus. Deficiency in any of these essential minerals can be highly detrimental to the health. See>> Minerals
Coffee overworks the adrenal glands, slows sports performance and increases weight
Coffee has an acid-based oil which is an irritant to gastric mucosa. It simulates the secretion of gastric acidity and this results in secretion of adrenalin. The secretion of adrenalin stimulates insulin secretion with consequent secondary hypoglycaemia.
The end results are tension, a rise in blood pressure, a craving for sweets 2-3 hours later, low energy and mood levels and over working of the adrenal glands. All of which negatively affects health, weight, exercise and sports performance.
Due to this, and the reduction in so many essential nutrients that drinking coffee creates in the body, weight gain and obesity are the result.
Coffee counteracts depression, hypertension, pain and obesity medications
The secondary rise in plasma epinephrine due to the low blood sugar will undo whatever good medications are doing to counteract the hyperactive dopaminergic system in patients suffering from pain, obesity, hypertension or depression. A few minutes after drinking coffee, the stimulation of the dopaminergic system results in cold extremities along with simultaneous rise in deep (visceral) temperature.
A patient with high fever is harmed by coffee but helped by tea and lemon juice. The decaffeinated coffee contains the same acid oil and thus is no better than normal coffee.
The ‘buzz’ from coffee
The brief stimulation gained from coffee contributes to rebound fatigue when the stimulating effects wear off. Repeated stimulation can contribute to the exhaustion of key organs like the liver, pancreas and adrenal glands. To gain the same effect, try Chinese jasmine green tea, instead. It is an effective stimulant without many of the negative health effects.
Caffeine consumption can trigger arrhythmias (abnormal beatings of the heart) and hence caution is advised to patients with a heart condition history.
Alternatives to coffee
Cupuaçu is a super fruit, related to the cocoa family, which has a caffeine-like effect, but does not contain caffeine. Because of this and its nutrient rich content it is a far healthier substitute for coffee.
During World War II roasted asparagus seeds were given to substitute coffee beans. because the taste is very similar.
Dandelion root is a tasty alternative very similar to coffee and can be made in a cafetiere and milk added if required.
Buy Alternative Coffee 98% Dandelion Root Hazelnut Flavour from Amazon #Ad
Buy a cafetiere for £7.99 from Amazon #Ad
A brew made with figs, raisins or chickpeas is another far healthier alternative.
Fruit juice is best of all especially berries and pomegranate and can be heated with ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon for a very nutritious healthy alternative.
NOTE: Avoid ginger if taking anticoagulants (blood thinning medication) or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory such as aspirin and ibuprofen due to the risk of bleeding.
Home made fresh vegetable soups with herbs and spices are also a very healthy alternative especially miso soup.
Purchase a 900-watt juicer and juicing vegetables, herbs, spices and fruits for a highly nutritious and weight reducing alternative. Smoothies are an even better alternative as they do not remove the fibre needed by the friendly bacteria in the guts.
Use honey to sweeten instead of sugar if required. Avoid sugar free sweeteners too. See>> Aspartame dangers.
Drink green or black tea instead
It is no wonder the British are a nation of great tea drinkers like the Chinese. Tea is a highly beneficial, medicinal and nutritious alternative to coffee due to the process coffee goes through to become a beverage. Tea leaves are simply dried, so they do not lose their essential nutrients.
In moderation, tea is a useful nervous-system stimulant and can reduce mental and physical stress and producing feelings of relaxation plus improve cognition and mood. It regulates breathing, digestion and circulation and is useful for treating diarrhoea, sinusitis, flu, herpes, and teeth cavities. It can also reduce the risk of strokes, stabilises the heart, calms the nerves and regulates the heartbeat.
Tea can also regulate bodily fluids and prevent dehydration and is therefore good for water retention sufferers. It also promotes healthy eyes and skin, aids in building bones and healing wounds, inhibits the growth of many pre-cancerous tumours. Regular consumption of tea can also lower LDL cholesterol and increase the blood levels of HDL (good cholesterol).
Tea can also help to maintain precise communication between the central nervous system and the brain. These are also the nutrients found in tea that helps speed up the body’s metabolism through the breakdown of fat. It can also help in the prevention of heart disease, lowers the risk of strokes in the elderly and helps in the prevention of kidney failure.
Black and green tea maintains steady blood sugar levels so is good for those suffering with Type II diabetes. Tea also stimulates the production of stomach acid, which helps the body absorb vitamin B12. Drinking 3 cups of tea a day can also lower the blood pressure.
Green tea, and to a lesser extent black tea, contains polyphenols which are believed to have powerful anti-cancer properties. Epicallocatechin-3-gallate is the major catechin found in green tea. This is the most powerful antioxidant known and has been proven to be extremely effective in fighting prostate, oesophageal, stomach, and mouth cancers and helps to stunt the growth of tumours.
According to the U.K. daily requirements, four cups of tea contain the following nutrients: 10% vitamin B1 (thiamine), 25% vitamin B2 (riboflavin), 6% vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), 10% vitamin B9 (folic acid), 10-25% vitamin C (black tea 10%; green tea 25%), 45% manganese, 45% potassium, 16% calcium, 10% zinc, 45% natural fluoride.
The beneficialcomponents of the tea leaf are carotene, flavonoids, catechins, polyphenols, derived tannins, theaflavins, thearubigins, theanine, epicallocatechin-3-gallate, caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine.
Tea is the only natural source of fluoride for humans. Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and decreases mouth bacteria. Tea makes a great mouthwash since it inhibits the growth of E. coli and Streptococcus. Externally, tea is useful for stopping bleeding, healing sores and as a mouthwash for ulcers.
Adding one teaspoon of milk to a cup of tea provides 25% RDA of calcium. Add honey (instead of sugar) to sweeten tea if desired, especially green tea, seed, flower, spiced and herbal teas for a truly beneficial and medicinal effect upon the system. Adding lemon juice increases the benefits of tea also.
NOTE: Non-heme iron is found in vegetables like spinach and kale. Tea, as well as green leafy vegetables has oxalates that block the absorption of iron. To assist the body in the absorption of non-heme iron from tea and those healthy green leafy vegetables, eat a couple of strawberries, an orange, tangerine or some mango if having tea with a meal or snack.
How to reduce the weight gain caused by coffee consumption
Consume fresh fruit like tangerines, kiwi fruit, watermelon, papaya and berries and drink pure additive free, unsweetened and artificial sweetener free pomegranate, pineapple, lemon, lime and orange juice each time there is a desire for a cup of coffee.
The extra weight gained from coffee consumption will be lost even faster if all processed foods, especially ready meals, bread, cheese and sugar, are avoided. The body will suddenly wake up from its coffee-induced slumber within just two days and begin to clean out the toxins, intestinal sludge and fat built-up over years of drinking coffee. Stay off coffee and keep to the foods listed below and weight will be reduced very quickly but without loss of vital nutrients.
Protein sources
- Beans (including peanuts)
- Chicken (organic free range)
- Duck
- Eggs
- Nuts and seeds
- Oily fish
- Pheasant
- Rabbit
- Turkey
- Venison
Nuts and seeds to add to the diet
- Almonds (5 per day)
- Brazil nuts (2 per day)
- Chia seeds
- Flax seeds
- Hemp seeds
- Pistachio nuts
- Poppy seeds
- Pumpkin seeds
- Sesame seeds
- Sunflower seeds
- Walnuts (4 halves per day)
Wholegrains and alternatives (at least 1 daily)
Vegetables (try to consume all colours as each have specific beneficial nutrients)
- Algae and seaweed (chlorella, kelp, spirulina)
- Artichoke
- Asparagus
- Aubergine
- Avocado
- Barley grass
- Beetroot
- Bell peppers (all colours)
- Brussel sprouts
- Carrots
- Celery
- Chicory
- Cress
- Green beans
- Green leafy vegetables
- Kohlrabi
- Lettuce
- Mushrooms
- Okra
- Onions
- Peas
- Radishes
- Rocket
- Spinach
- Sweet potatoes
- Swede
- Tomatoes (best cooked)
- Turnip
- Watercress
Fruit to add to the diet
- Apples (green 1 per day)
- Bananas (unripe)
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Dates (3 per day)
- Kiwi fruit
- Lemon (1 plus grated rind per day)
- Lime
- Orange
- Papaya
- Pineapple
- Pomegranate
- Pumpkin
- Raisins
- Raspberries
- Tangerines
- Strawberries
- Watermelon
Herbs and spices to add liberally to the diet
- Basil
- Chilli peppers
- Cinnamon
- Coriander
- Cumin
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Nutmeg
- Oregano
- Paprika
- Parsley
- Peppercorns (all colours),
- Rosemary
- Tarragon
- Thyme
- Turmeric
Miscellaneous healthy additions
- Apple cider vinegar
- Brewer’s yeast
- Brine pickles
- Coconut oil (cold pressed)
- Green tea (3 cups per day)
- Honey
- Krill oil (one capsule a day)
- Olive oil (cold pressed virgin)
- Psyllium husks (1 dessertspoon per day with a large glass of water)
- Rapeseed oil (cold pressed)
- Sesame oil (cold pressed)
- Yoghurt (natural with live cultures and no flavourings or other additives)
NOTE: When consuming tea or green leafy vegetables always eat some strawberries or a kiwi fruit, orange, tangerine or some mango to allow iron absorption.
NOTE: When consuming any foods containing fat-soluble nutrients, such as beta-carotene, always consume some nuts, fish oils, avocado, coconut or other vegetable oils at the same time to enable absorption.
Related subjects
- A-Z of hazards to health
- A-Z of nutrients
- Brain and mental health disorders
- Colour codes of nature
- Constipation and diarrhoea
- Diabetes
- Eye disorders
- Gland disorders
- Heart disorders
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Medication dangers
- Sports nutrition
- Strokes
- Urinary tract infection
Join our mailing list to receive your monthly emailed newsletter with all the latest scientific findings for natural health remedies.