Millions of us can't start the day without a cup of joe - or several. Studies show that coffee is Americans' primary source of antioxidants. But the news about java isn't all good. Coffee has several negative health effects, and it's obviously addictive. Here are a few reasons to try quitting. If you're pregnant, the jury's still out on the effects of caffeine on a fetus. Some studies have found a connection between drinking more than two cups a day and the risk of miscarriage. The British Medical Journal found that one cup or more may result in lower birth weight. Coffee is broken down in the liver by enzymes, which become less effective at filtering other toxins in the bloodstream as they process caffeine. Drinking boatloads of caffeine - we're talking more than five cups a day - can cause hallucinations!
Excessive intake in those who already suffer from anxiety or depression can result in more anxiety, fatigue and depression as the effects wear off. The effects of caffeine include an abrupt increase in cortisol, a stress-related hormone that gradually builds up throughout the morning to help us perform daily tasks. But coffee keeps cortisol and adrenaline at high levels, especially when it's drunk throughout the day, and it can disrupt sleep cycles. In the morning, the body is already working with a hydration deficit, and coffee is a mild diuretic that can exacerbate dehydration. Want to keep those whites pearly? Cut back on coffee, which can stain teeth. The bottom line is that coffee is OK in moderation and infrequently - limit yourself to one or two cups in the morning.