It’s safe to say most households have at least one daily coffee drinker. According to a 2020 study, 7 out of 10 Americans drink coffee each week, and about 62% of Americans drink coffee every day. [1] The most important question to ask when you love a certain food or beverage, is does it love you back? In other words, are you benefitting from the consumption in the long-term as well as the short term? For many people, caffeine starts out as an energy boost of choice, then it turns into a tasty treat they look forward to, and finally it becomes a habit they can’t seem to break.
In today’s blog post, we’ll be diving into caffeine–what it is, how much you should be drinking per day, and the benefits of replacing at least one cup per day or week with a caffeine free herbal coffee or beverage.
*Photo Courtesy of @karlyukav
What is Caffeine?
Caffeine is a stimulant that affects the central nervous system, and is considered the “most widely consumed psychoactive substance in the world.” [2] It is found in a number of food and beverages, including coffee. Coffee contains around 100mg of caffeine per cup, on average, but studies show people who drink coffee daily are often drinking about three or more cups, which means 300+mg per day. [3, 1] While coffee is considered a safe form of caffeine, let’s take a closer look at what the recommended dosage per day is.
How Much Caffeine Should You Drink Per Day?
According to the FDA, 400mg is the recommended limit, and is not generally associated with negative side effects. [4] However, they also reiterate that everyone reacts differently to caffeine, and even metabolizes it differently. This includes people experiencing certain illnesses, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and certain medications can all play into how caffeine affects each person. So, even if you’re falling below the recommended limit of caffeine, if you notice that you aren’t sleeping well, feel jittery or anxious, or experience headaches after drinking caffeine, it may be time for an equally delicious alternative that loves you back.
Benefits of Reducing Caffeine
Replacing one cup of coffee per day with a caffeine free herbal coffee is beneficial for anyone, even if you don’t necessarily feel any negative side effects from coffee. Here are some of the top benefits of reducing caffeine:
- Mental Clarity
- Caffeine is a natural stimulant, and it can quickly put your body into fight or flight mode. When you reduce the amount of coffee you drink per day, your body can more easily adapt to your physical and emotional environment, helping you stay calm, cool and collected throughout your day. [5]
- Better Sleep
- Even if you end your coffee consumption before noon, caffeine increases the likelihood of experiencing sleep disturbances, difficulty falling asleep, and even more daytime sleepiness. [6] Reducing caffeine can help you sleep better, and even help you wake better with more natural energy and alertness.
- Reduce Wrinkles
- If there’s one reason to kick caffeine, this is it! Caffeine can interfere with collagen production, which is the essential protein that keeps our skin tight, firm, and glowing. [7] By switching to an herbal replacement, you can help improve your cognitive function, sleep, and skin tone and texture.
Eliminating or decreasing coffee has never been easier. There are so many amazing, and delicious coffee alternatives on the market these days, you’re sure to find one that fits your lifestyle, taste preferences, and budget.
Happy Sipping!
*Disclaimer
Dandy Blend is not a supplement or medicine. Any health related questions or concerns, we always recommend consulting with your primary care physician.
