Caffeine - Good or Bad?
Discussion
I've recently made a change in my lifestyle, because I had become fed up of the weight I was carrying.
Thanks to eating less and going to the gym 3-4 times a week now, I'm near to losing 2 1/2 stone. I've probably got another stone and a half or two to lose, then I'll be happy.
Its something that has bothering me for quite some time, and at last I have the focus and determination to do it. Thanks to recent events, I now have lots of free time in order to go to the gym. I'm actually enjoying it!
However, whilst I always drink at least two litres of water a day, I also probably drink 3 or 4 cans of Diet Coke, and probably have 4 or 5 cups of coffee.
Should I be cutting down or cutting out the caffeine? Is it ultimately going to do me any good?
Thanks,
Greg
Thanks to eating less and going to the gym 3-4 times a week now, I'm near to losing 2 1/2 stone. I've probably got another stone and a half or two to lose, then I'll be happy.
Its something that has bothering me for quite some time, and at last I have the focus and determination to do it. Thanks to recent events, I now have lots of free time in order to go to the gym. I'm actually enjoying it!
However, whilst I always drink at least two litres of water a day, I also probably drink 3 or 4 cans of Diet Coke, and probably have 4 or 5 cups of coffee.
Should I be cutting down or cutting out the caffeine? Is it ultimately going to do me any good?
Thanks,
Greg
I agree with Judas. If you decide to cut it out, do it gradually. You also need to be prepared that, once you do go decaf, if you ever have any caffine in the future, you will also probably have a cracking headache!!
And then there's the chemicals they put into the stuff to make it decaf to consider
Why don't you just cut down to, say, one or two cups a day instead? I generally have decaf tea but still have the odd coffee and coke now and then.
And then there's the chemicals they put into the stuff to make it decaf to consider
Why don't you just cut down to, say, one or two cups a day instead? I generally have decaf tea but still have the odd coffee and coke now and then.
Seriously, I gave up coffee about three years back. I used to have 2 cups of very strong black coffee every morning and I did egt withdrawal symptoms. I didn't realise it was caffeine withdrawal at the time but I got headaches, felt tired and irritable. I started drinking it again this year because I wasn't sleeping properly so was always tired in the mornings but I would like to stop again.
I had to leave coffee for a while, and after some months caffeine-free I had a coffee and it almost made me sick; knot in my throat, aching stomach, cramps, general trembling and clenching of teeth.... absolut poison for you! Left it for a couple of years again but now I'm back to it. I can say caffeine is absolutely bad a strong coffee can still give me the shivers from time to time, but hey, a good coffee is too nice and the only drug I am taking (OK, apart from chocolate, which I also stopped taking for a couple of years but that is another story).
p.s. if you have the pissy watery coffee they serve in most places around here you are not in danger
. Cutting down on drinks that require sugar or sweeteners nevertheless will make a difference.
sorry Mannginger, I'm using your login. Iria
>> Edited by Mannginger on Wednesday 8th December 09:01
p.s. if you have the pissy watery coffee they serve in most places around here you are not in danger
. Cutting down on drinks that require sugar or sweeteners nevertheless will make a difference. sorry Mannginger, I'm using your login. Iria
>> Edited by Mannginger on Wednesday 8th December 09:01
The British Nutrition Foundation says studies have shown that caffeine can have beneficial performance effects, helping us to sustain attention during hte post-lunch dip, at night, after prolonged work and when we have a cold.
From a medical point of view, caffeine is a mild stimulant to the central nervous system which is not addictive, but can be habit-forming. There is no conclusive evidence at this time that caffeine intake is associated with heart disease or high cholesterol.
Just as with chocolate and alcohol, a little of what you fancy can do you good!
Apparently though, ageing may affect one's sensitivity to caffeine 
From a medical point of view, caffeine is a mild stimulant to the central nervous system which is not addictive, but can be habit-forming. There is no conclusive evidence at this time that caffeine intake is associated with heart disease or high cholesterol.
Just as with chocolate and alcohol, a little of what you fancy can do you good!
Apparently though, ageing may affect one's sensitivity to caffeine cosmoschick said:Thats good to know. Thank you for that. At the moment its everything in moderation, well, aside from the caffeine I guess. Alcohol during the week is basically a vodka and coke, maybe a glass of wine if I'm out. I also tried taking a supplement but it seems to raise my heart rate so I've stopped taking them.
The British Nutrition Foundation says studies have shown that caffeine can have beneficial performance effects, helping us to sustain attention during hte post-lunch dip, at night, after prolonged work and when we have a cold.
From a medical point of view, caffeine is a mild stimulant to the central nervous system which is not addictive, but can be habit-forming. There is no conclusive evidence at this time that caffeine intake is associated with heart disease or high cholesterol.
Just as with chocolate and alcohol, a little of what you fancy can do you good!
Ageing? I've only just turned 34, dammit!
IIRC, coffee before the gym=good. It mobilises the fat into the bloodstream and helps you burn it off.... Although if one of the PH doctors comes along and proves me wrong, I'll just agree with him
I'm on about 5 cups of espresso and ten instants a day and I feel
Just don't wind me up, ok
I'm on about 5 cups of espresso and ten instants a day and I feel
Just don't wind me up, ok 
BliarOut said:
IIRC, coffee before the gym=good. It mobilises the fat into the bloodstream and helps you burn it off.... Although if one of the PH doctors comes along and proves me wrong, I'll just agree with him
I agree with you on this, but I think it needs to be black and straight from the bean.
Try to just reduce your cup size to start with.
wedge girl said:
IIRC, coffee before the gym=good. It mobilises the fat into the bloodstream and helps you burn it off.... Although if one of the PH doctors comes along and proves me wrong, I'll just agree with him
I agree with you on this, but I think it needs to be black and straight from the bean.
Try to just reduce your cup size to start with.
Oi, what are you saying? That I've got man boobs???
Incorrigible said:I'll switch over to caffeine free diet coke, that'll cut a large proportion of the intake in one fail swoop. As for the coffee, most of it is office drinks and theres no alternative. Except tea. Thats lower in caffeine than coffee though, isn't it?
as Cosmoschick said
It's a drug, so it's got good bits and bad bits. The amount you're taking in I'd consider doing a bit less. OTOH it's probably about the same as I do and I'm not changing
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