Coffee, even in small doses, isn't good

Whether it's a latte on the way to work or an espresso to get through the afternoon slump, coffee is part of our compulsive routine. Sadly, health guidelines allow only 400 mg of caffeine per day. But as there is caffeine in tea, coffee, chocolate and fizzy drinks, the intake turns out to be more than required.

Whether it’s a latte on the way to work or an espresso to get through the afternoon slump, has become a routine formula for several youths. However, think twice before sipping on it as it can also have some side effects.



Health guidelines recommend a maximum of 400 mg of , but as there is caffeine in tea, chocolate and fizzy drinks as well as coffee, the intake often turns out to be more than required, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

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Sally Norton, consultant surgeon and weight loss expert at Spire, The Glen Hospital Bristol, weighs up the pros and cons of consuming caffeine:

Cons

It can be bad for your heart: Some studies show it can reduce blood flow in your coronary arteries when you need it most - during exercise, as well as cause palpitations or irregular heartbeat and may possibly increase your blood pressure over time.

It disturbs your sleep: People who drink more than three cups of coffee per day are scientifically proven to have less than restful sleep. One study showed a difference of 79 minutes of sleep between drinkers of caffeinated vs decaffeinated drinks. If you struggle to get to sleep, then caffeine should definitely be a no-no.

It's often linked with sugar: Even if we don’t add sugar to our coffee, we are often tempted to accompany it with a biscuit, cake or a breakfast muffin. In addition, there can be 11 teaspoons of sugar in some varieties. The calorie count of these specialist coffees can be huge too, so it's not good if you are watching your weight.

It’s bad for your mood: Caffeine increases catecholamines such as adrenaline, known as the "fight or flight" hormone. No surprise then that caffeine can make you tense and jittery in high quantities.

It can impact your fertility: Drinking more than five cups of coffee a day can be linked with lower fertility. If you’re trying to get pregnant, it’s certainly worth cutting down on coffee, and once you are pregnant you’ll want to quit caffeine altogether or certainly cut back to less than 200 mg per day as it may increase the risk of birth defects or reduce fetal growth.

Read:Live longer with a cup of coffee!