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Writer's pictureJenny Schoenmann

Coffee - good or bad?

Why drinking coffee first thing in the morning is a bad idea.


"We cannot say drinking coffee will prolong your life, but we see an association," said study author Veronica W. Setiawan, of the University of Southern California, in collaboration with the University of Hawaii Cancer Center and the National Cancer Institute.


In my morning routine workshops the question 'Can I still have my cup of coffee?!' always comes up at one point.

Even though there are many energizing breathing techniques, yoga sequences and other healthy energizing practices we can do to give our system a morning boost - many of us like to enjoy a delicious cup of coffee in the morning.


I have had times with coffee first thing in the morning, times where I banned coffee completely and for a few months now, coffee has it's place in my life again - but at a different time of the day.

I noticed the differences in how I feel in each of these phases tremendously. After researching I am not surprised why having coffee first thing in the morning never left me with a good feeling.


Research has shown that coffee, in general, is not a bad thing. A study published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine found that people who drank one cup of coffee daily were 12 percent less likely than non–coffee drinkers to die from cancer, stroke, and diabetes, or heart, kidney, or respiratory disease. And the benefits increased with the amount they drank: Those who downed three cups of java a day were 18 percent less likely to die from those diseases.  (source, Kripalu Center)


But as always - every type of food can be a poison or medicine.


If coffee is part of our diet we have to decide individually and therefore this might be helpful.

Be careful if you experience:

  • heartburn, acid reflux, skin rashes, if you’re often agitated, irritated, hypercritical, judgmental, or angry

  • symptoms of dehydration, dry hair, dry skin, constipation, insomnia, forgetfulness, restlessness, or if you feel scattered, spacey, or frazzled

In this case, coffee can worsen it.


However, if you drink coffee don’t do it first thing in the morning after waking up!

That way you sabotage your circadian rhythm, your internal clock.

This internal clock naturally releases the hormone cortisol which makes you feel awake and energized.

Caffeine interferes with the production of cortisol. The body produces less of that hormone and relies more on the caffeine.

The cortisol production slows down and even backfires. You might feel more tired after your coffee.


How to enjoy your cup of coffee:

  • have your coffee in the late morning/ early afternoon, about 3 to 4 hours after you wake up

  • have breakfast before


A Recipe that makes your coffee more digestible and less acidic:

for 2 cups

  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger

  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

  • 1/2 tsp coriander seed

  • 1 capsule green cardamom

  • Espresso or coffee powder of your choice

Grind the spices in a mortar and add one test to the coffee powder. Prepare your coffee as usual.


  • In general, avoid caffeine six hours before bedtime. Research has shown that otherwise, it can keep you awake when rest is needed.

  • Energize your system with a Morning Yoga Flow


With Love,

Jenny


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