You Love Coffee…But Does It Love You Back?

If ever there was magic in a cup, it’d be coffee. Think about it—it’s an essential part of every morning ritual, the best way to perk up in the afternoon and a great way to unwind at the end of the day (thank you, decaf!). And even if you don’t consider yourself a routine coffee drinker—like 64% of Americans—chances are you still periodically enjoy a fancy schmancy drink of some sort from your local coffee shop (who doesn’t?).

And while there’s no debate over the delicious taste and smell of coffee, there seems to be some uncertainty surrounding its health perks (or lack thereof). So, is it actually good for your health? Yes. No. Maybe so. According to some of the most recent studies, it seems that coffee can help to lower your risk of certain cancers, as well as Alzheimer’s and type 2 diabetes, while also decreasing inflammation and extending your life.

With health benefits like that, you should probably grab a cup of java as we speak—for the sake of your health and all. Now you might be wondering if coffee is so delicious and healthy(ish), what’s not to love? Well, for starters, the coffee breath (which is caused by sulfur compounds and dry mouth). But that’s just one of the many ways that coffee impacts your body and health. Here are a few of the others:

It may make you have to go number 1, number 2 or both.

Chances are, when you start your day off with a piping hot cuppa Joe, you’ll be heading to the bathroom shortly after. If you’re someone who feels like they have to tinkle more when drinking coffee, this is due to the caffeine—which is a stimulant—causing increased urine production (i.e. coffee is a diuretic). But don’t worry, more potty breaks doesn’t equal dehydration.

But if you feel the urge to poop after sipping your fave brew, this is likely the result of your body releasing the hormone gastrin, which is stimulated by coffee. With the release of gastrin, your colon activity is increased.  And let’s not forget that caffeine of any kind stimulates the muscles of your colon, too, leading to bowel movements.

It may impact your sleep (regardless of when you drink it).

While most of us know not to drink full-strength coffee right before bed, there’s still a chance that 8 a.m. cup of java may come back to haunt you at bedtime. That’s because caffeine stays in your system for hours and hours. In fact, it takes between 8 and 12 hours for your body to fully metabolize caffeine—regardless of how much you consume.

It (kind of) boosts your energy and alertness.

Don’t consider yourself a morning person? That’s why there’s coffee! In fact, within 10 minutes of drinking it, you’ll start to feel the impact of caffeine. But don’t be fooled, coffee isn’t actually giving you more energy. It’s actually just tricking your brain by replacing adenosine—a nervous system hormone that promotes sleep—and attaching to receptors. Adrenaline is also released, which helps to make you feel even more awake, alert and attentive.

However, if you feel yourself always reaching for coffee, you may build up a tolerance. Those same adenosine receptors we were just talking about can become less responsive to caffeine, requiring you to drink more (and more) to get the same energizing effect.

It may help to improve your mood.

Or the opposite may hold more truth: a lack of coffee can damper your mood. While there are many factors that can impact the way you feel in the morning (sleep inertia anyone?), there’s no doubt that coffee can make a positive impact on your mood. This is largely due to its stimulating effect, which increases the release of dopamine (a feel-good hormone).

It may help you to…

As if you needed even more reasons to keep-up your daily caffeine habit, but just in case, here are a few more: it may help to promote weight loss, boost your memory and decrease pain. But don’t double your coffee intake in hopes of boosting your health. The bottom line is coffee’s impact varies from person to person. To ensure that you aren’t fueling higher levels of anxiety, covering up a sleep disorder or consuming extra calories (thanks to creamer and sweetener), talk with your primary care provider.  

With knowledgeable experts, an extensive range of services and resources, and convenient locations, you can receive customized care with  Gwinnett Medical Group Primary Care. 

This Is How Healthy People Start Their Day: 10 Quick Tips

When it comes to health, it seems like the early birds get the better end of the deal. After all, its old news that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, helping with everything from metabolism and energy levels to memory and concentration, and heart health. That’s enough to make just about anyone want to get up extra early to make all those delicious breakfast ideas you see on Pinterest.

Like we said, it’s almost enough to get us up early, but not quite. When in doubt, the snooze button usually wins. So does all this mean that you’re doomed if you’re more of a night owl? No…But we’re not saying that those first few minutes you’re awake aren’t crucial, either. Whether you like it or not, how you start your day influences how the rest of it unfolds. Don’t believe us? Try getting up a little earlier tomorrow—no 5 a.m. wake-up-calls necessary—and put these life-changing tips to the test. We promise you—and your health—won’t regret it.

1.    No alarm. Unless you’re one of those people who can wake-up naturally—and before 10 a.m.—but for most of us some type of wake-up call is essential. But instead of the horrible beeping of the typical alarm clock, opt for music or radio to wake you up. You know your fav song will get you pumped up to start the day!

2.    Get up.Now this seems like an obvious one, but most of us don’t do this—at least not for several minutes anyway. Instead you may opt to lay in bed and look through your phone (we all do it). This is a big no-no, though, as starting your day this way has been shown to increase feelings of anxiety and unhappiness.

3.    Or stay in bed a little longer. But make it intentional. If you just have to stay in bed for a few extra minutes, try doing some stretching, deep breathing or bed yoga (hint: child’s pose and hamstring stretch are bed-friendly). Even just doing a few stretches can help to get your blood flowing, while relieving tension.

4.    Grab some water. Even if your preferred drink to start the day is coffee or another caffeinated beverage, water shouldn’t be skipped. Not only are you dehydrated from going 6+ hours without fluids, but water helps to get your metabolism going and rehydrates your skin.

5.    Get some sunshine. Or at least keep your blinds partially open. Not only is sunlight refreshing and calming, it can also aid in the waking-up process. In fact, sunlight is one of the key ways your brain knows to decrease melatonin, while increasing adrenaline.

6.    Smell something energizing. In addition to the delicious scent of fresh coffee brewing, spark your senses with a fresh, invigorating scent. A great way to do this is with your face wash. Not only is rinsing off any pore-clogging bacteria a good thing (thanks, pillow case!), but a citrus-scented wash will energize you. Look for lemon, orange and grapefruit scents.

7.    Look at your calendar. Now before you start the getting-dressed process, take a quick peek at your calendar to see what lies ahead. For instance, if you have a big meeting with leadership, maybe you’ll opt for heals instead of flats. Or maybe your daughter has a soccer game and you’ll definitely want to remember to bring a jacket and sneakers to watch comfortably.

8.    Prepare for a fashion emergency. On the same note, there are those mornings when you feel like absolutely nothing looks good (maybe it was the extra slice of pizza last night). Where did all those cute blouses go? Well, in the event of a fashion emergency like this, don’t waste 30 minutes trying on different outfit options. Instead, reach for that go-to dress or top-bottom combo that you can always count on to look good. Are you taking a mental inventory of your closet as we speak?

9.    Be inspired. If you’re not super jazzed about heading into the office or doing a bunch of errands for the day, we don’t blame you. The struggle is real. So to help overcome feelings of dullness, start your day with an inspiring quote or a personal mantra. This will help to spark your motivation and determination when enthusiasm may be in short supply. After all, you are pretty amazing!

10.  Stay organized. It’s finally time to head out the door and get the day started, but now you can’t find your sunglasses. And your son doesn’t know where his lunchbox is. To avoid stressors like these, pick out spots for each member of the family and remember to put your stuff there each day when you get home. This will ensure that you don’t forget anything or lose it to the junk drawer.

Good morning, health!

So, you’ve tried these simple, healthy tips and your mornings still aren’t getting the job done? It may be time to call in the experts. After all, it isn’t just your a.m. routine that can influence how you feel. For instance, sleep disorders, thyroid conditions, allergies and more, can make you feel like you’re dragging through the day.

That’s why Gwinnett Medical Group Primary Care is prepared to help. With knowledgeable experts, an extensive range of services and resources, and convenient locations, you can receive customized care for all of your unique health needs.