Coffee in the eyes of traditional Chinese medicine: pros and cons

From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, coffee contains stimulants such as caffeine. Drinking it in moderation can refresh the mind, but drinking it excessively may cause adverse effects such as insomnia and palpitations. In traditional Chinese medicine, coffee is considered to have a pungent and dispersing nature, and drinking it in large quantities over a long period of time may damage the body's vital energy and affect the spleen and stomach function. Drinking coffee in moderation can also promote metabolism and relieve fatigue. Traditional Chinese medicine has a neutral attitude towards coffee, believing that it should be consumed reasonably and avoid excessive amounts.

As the pace of modern life accelerates, coffee, as a refreshing drink, has almost become a necessity in modern people's lives. Whether at work, study or leisure time, a cup of coffee can always bring us temporary mental excitement. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, what are the pros and cons of coffee? This article will explore the benefits and hidden dangers of coffee from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine.

Let's understand the basic properties of coffee. In traditional Chinese medicine theory, coffee is a "hot product" that has the effects of refreshing the mind, warming the yang and dispersing cold. Drinking coffee in moderation can indeed play a certain role in dispelling cold for people with cold constitutions, and improve symptoms such as cold limbs and fear of cold. The caffeine in coffee can stimulate the central nervous system, increase the body's attention and thinking activity, and is of certain help for work or study that requires concentration in a short period of time.

Traditional Chinese medicine also warns us that coffee is not suitable for everyone and its potential disadvantages cannot be ignored.

First, for people with a hot constitution, long-term and excessive drinking of coffee may aggravate the heat in the body, causing symptoms of heat such as dry mouth, oral ulcers, and constipation. This is because the hot properties of coffee conflict with the constitution of people with a hot constitution, causing physical discomfort.

Secondly, the caffeine in coffee is stimulating. Long-term and excessive drinking may have adverse effects on the human gastrointestinal tract. People with weak gastrointestinal function may experience symptoms such as stomach pain, bloating, and diarrhea. Caffeine may also affect the body's absorption of calcium, which may increase the risk of osteoporosis in the long run.

Third, from a psychological point of view, excessive reliance on coffee for energy may cause people to become psychologically dependent. Once you reduce or stop drinking coffee, it may cause problems such as mental depression and decreased work efficiency. It is very important to maintain a moderate drinking habit and avoid excessive dependence.

How to drink coffee in moderation?

First, understand your own physical type. People with a cold constitution can drink coffee appropriately, but people with a hot constitution need to drink it with caution to avoid causing symptoms of getting angry.

Second, control the amount and frequency of drinking, and try to avoid long-term and large-scale drinking. One cup a day can satisfy the need for refreshing the mind, while excessive drinking may have adverse effects on the body.

Third, drink it with other beverages. When drinking coffee, you can drink tea, red date water and other beverages that have a harmonizing effect to balance the hot properties of coffee.

Fourth, pay attention to individual differences. Everyone's physical condition is different, and their tolerance to coffee is also different. When drinking coffee, you should adjust according to your physical condition and avoid blindly following the trend.

Traditional Chinese medicine's attitude towards coffee is to both affirm its appropriate benefits and warn of its potential risks. We should drink coffee in moderation and in accordance with our physical condition, living habits and work requirements. We should also pay attention to individual differences and the principle of a balanced diet that cannot be ignored in our daily lives. Only in this way can we truly enjoy the benefits of coffee while avoiding its possible adverse effects.