Five types of people should not drink coffee. Do you know the common health risks?

Coffee's global popularity and health risks

In modern society, coffee has become a part of daily life for many people. Whether it is a busy workday or a relaxing weekend, coffee seems to affect our lives all the time. Globally, coffee consumption continues to grow, especially in areas with accelerated urbanization, where coffee shops have become an important place for socializing and working. From the first cup in the morning to the pick-me-up drink in the afternoon, coffee has almost become an indispensable companion for modern people.

However, although coffee provides a refreshing effect for many people, it also comes with certain health risks. The caffeine contained in coffee has an excitatory effect on the central nervous system. Although drinking in moderation can help improve attention and reaction speed, excessive intake may cause insomnia, anxiety, palpitations and other adverse reactions. In addition, coffee's stimulation to the gastrointestinal tract may also cause stomach pain, indigestion and other problems, especially drinking coffee on an empty stomach is more likely to increase the burden on the gastrointestinal tract.

Although coffee has certain health benefits, it is not suitable for everyone. In some medical conditions, coffee may exacerbate health problems. This article will explore which groups of people should avoid or limit coffee drinking, and analyze the potential risks that coffee may bring to their health. Knowing this information can help us make dietary choices that are more suitable for our physical conditions.

Pregnancy and caffeine: Potential risks and caution

Pregnancy is a special physiological stage, and the health connection between the mother and the fetus is particularly close. Although coffee is a refreshing drink for most people, the impact of caffeine on pregnant women cannot be underestimated. Studies have shown that the caffeine in coffee can enter the fetus through the placenta and affect the development of the fetus. Therefore, pregnant women need to be extra cautious about their coffee intake.

First, excessive caffeine intake may increase the risk of miscarriage or premature birth. Studies have found that pregnant women who consume more than 200 mg of caffeine per day (about the amount of two cups of coffee) may be associated with miscarriage, fetal growth retardation and premature birth. Too much caffeine can interfere with the development of fetal organs, especially in the first three months of pregnancy, which is a critical period for the formation of various important organs of the fetus.

In addition to the risk of miscarriage and premature birth, caffeine may also lead to restricted fetal growth. Caffeine has a certain diuretic effect, which may cause water loss in pregnant women, thereby affecting the blood supply to the placenta, resulting in a decrease in the amount of oxygen and nutrients the fetus receives. This situation may restrict the growth of the fetus and even affect the long-term health of the fetus.

Therefore, pregnant women should limit their caffeine intake, especially in the early stages of pregnancy. If you really need to be alert, you can consider choosing low-caffeine alternatives, such as decaffeinated coffee or tea, but you still need to control the total amount. To ensure the health of mother and baby, it is best for pregnant women to communicate with their doctors regularly during pregnancy to understand their specific situation and decide whether and how to drink coffee in moderation under the guidance of the doctor.

High blood pressure and caffeine: Reasons to drink with caution

Hypertensive patients need to pay special attention to adjusting their diet and lifestyle in their daily lives. As a common beverage, coffee can have an impact on blood pressure that cannot be ignored. The caffeine in coffee is a known stimulant that can temporarily increase heart rate and blood pressure. For healthy people, this effect is usually short-lived, but for hypertensive patients, caffeine intake may exacerbate blood pressure fluctuations and even cause some serious cardiovascular problems.

The effect of caffeine on blood pressure is mainly reflected in its ability to stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, causing vasoconstriction and accelerated heart rate. This process directly leads to increased blood pressure. Studies have shown that, especially for patients with long-term hypertension, the increase in blood pressure after drinking coffee may be more significant, and this increase may last for several hours, placing an additional burden on cardiovascular health.

In addition, if patients with hypertension drink caffeinated beverages for a long time or excessively, they may also increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease and stroke. Caffeine may accelerate the process of arteriosclerosis and further damage the health of the cardiovascular system. Especially for those who already have high blood pressure and other symptoms of heart disease, the risk of drinking coffee is more obvious.

Therefore, for patients with high blood pressure, it is recommended to avoid excessive coffee intake, especially increasing coffee intake without medical guidance. If you have the habit of drinking coffee, it is best to control the intake of caffeine and consult a doctor before drinking to ensure that blood pressure is controlled within a safe range and avoid unnecessary health risks.

People with gastrointestinal sensitivity and coffee: gastrointestinal irritation that cannot be ignored

For patients with gastrointestinal diseases, dietary choices need to be made with extra caution. As a common beverage, coffee cannot be ignored for its stimulating effect on the gastrointestinal tract. The acidic components and caffeine in coffee may cause excessive gastric acid secretion, thereby aggravating gastrointestinal discomfort. Especially for those who already suffer from gastritis, gastric ulcers, acid reflux and other diseases, drinking coffee may worsen the symptoms.

The acidic substances in coffee (such as caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid) have the effect of stimulating the gastric mucosa. These ingredients can increase gastric acid secretion, which may cause stomach pain, heartburn and other discomfort. Especially when drinking coffee on an empty stomach, excessive secretion of gastric acid may cause stomach pain or discomfort, and even cause symptoms of acid reflux, which will bring greater burden to gastrointestinal health.

For patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), coffee is not only a trigger for gastric acid secretion, but it can also cause the esophageal sphincter to relax, thereby exacerbating the occurrence of gastric acid reflux. This can cause symptoms such as chest burning, throat discomfort, and difficulty swallowing, and in severe cases, it can even affect the quality of daily life.

Therefore, patients with gastrointestinal diseases should try to avoid drinking coffee, especially on an empty stomach. If you really need to refresh yourself, you can choose low-acid drinks, such as decaffeinated drinks or warm water. In short, when choosing drinks, patients with gastrointestinal diseases should adjust them according to their own conditions and consult a doctor to ensure the health of the gastrointestinal tract.

Insomnia and caffeine: How to avoid disrupting your sleep quality

Insomniacs are often advised to avoid taking substances that stimulate the central nervous system when improving their sleep quality, and caffeine is one of them. As a central nervous system stimulant, caffeine can increase alertness and temporarily suppress fatigue, which is why it has become a daily drink for many people. However, for insomniacs, the stimulating effect of caffeine may make it more difficult to fall asleep, and in severe cases, it may even affect the quality of sleep throughout the night.

Caffeine acts on adenosine receptors in the brain, reducing the effects of adenosine. Adenosine is a neurotransmitter produced naturally in the body that plays a key role in helping people enter a sleep state. Caffeine blocks this natural sleep signal, causing the brain to stay awake, which can lead to difficulty falling asleep or interrupted sleep. This effect is particularly significant when caffeine is consumed in the evening, which may prolong the time it takes to fall asleep or even prevent a person from sleeping all night.

In addition, caffeine has a long half-life, and its effects may last for several hours after taking coffee. Therefore, drinking coffee at night or before going to bed will keep the brain highly active at night, affecting the quality of deep sleep. For insomniacs, even if they drink coffee during the day, the residual effects of caffeine may disturb their sleep at night.

In order to improve sleep quality, insomniacs should avoid consuming caffeinated drinks in the afternoon or evening. Even during the day, if you need to refresh yourself, you should choose low-caffeine drinks such as tea or decaffeinated coffee. In addition, developing good bedtime habits and maintaining a quiet and comfortable sleeping environment are also the key to improving sleep quality.

Anxiety Disorders and Caffeine: How to Avoid Mood Swings

For patients with anxiety disorders, mood swings are one of the common symptoms. Caffeine, as a stimulant, may exacerbate these symptoms. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system to increase alertness and excitement, but this stimulation may bring a considerable burden to patients with anxiety disorders. Caffeine intake often causes anxiety, panic, accelerated heartbeat and other discomforts, and even makes originally stable emotions more unstable.

Caffeine increases the secretion of adrenaline, putting the body in a tense state of "fight or flight." This physiological reaction may be short-lived for healthy people, but for people with anxiety disorders, this over-activated state may trigger an anxiety attack. Symptoms such as accelerated heartbeat, chest tightness, and dizziness often make people with anxiety disorders feel more anxious, thus forming a vicious cycle.

In addition, caffeine may affect the sleep quality of people with anxiety disorders. Due to its stimulating effect on the brain, caffeine can delay the onset of sleep and reduce deep sleep, which in turn leads to increased fatigue and mood swings. People with anxiety disorders are already prone to anxiety and tension, and lack of sleep can further worsen their emotional state.

Therefore, it is recommended that people with anxiety disorders limit or avoid caffeine intake, especially drinking coffee later in the day or at night. If you want to refresh yourself, you can choose caffeine-free alternatives, such as herbal tea or decaffeinated coffee, which can avoid the stimulation of caffeine without affecting your mood.

Drinking coffee responsibly: making smart choices based on your health

Coffee, as a popular drink, can indeed bring a refreshing effect to many people. However, not all people are suitable for drinking a lot of coffee. From pregnant women to patients with hypertension, to patients with gastrointestinal diseases and insomnia, the effects of caffeine vary significantly among different groups of people. Therefore, it is very important to understand the potential risks of coffee to health and make reasonable choices based on personal health conditions.

For healthy adults, moderate coffee consumption is generally safe, and moderate caffeine even has certain health benefits, such as improving concentration and enhancing work efficiency. Generally speaking, it is recommended to consume no more than 200-400 mg of caffeine per day, which is about 2 to 3 cups of regular coffee. However, for special groups, such as pregnant women, patients with hypertension and patients with gastrointestinal diseases, coffee intake should be limited or avoided to avoid aggravating existing health problems.

In addition, people with insomnia and anxiety disorders should also pay special attention to the fact that caffeine may aggravate their symptoms and affect sleep quality and mood stability. For these people, the best practice is to completely avoid caffeine in the afternoon or evening to ensure that they can get enough and deep sleep and reduce the anxiety caused by caffeine stimulation.

In short, although coffee has its unique charm and health benefits, it should be consumed according to one's physical condition. Only by drinking coffee rationally and combining it with one's own health needs can one enjoy the pleasure brought by coffee to the greatest extent without causing unnecessary risks to health. If you have any doubts, it is best to consult a doctor or nutritionist for professional advice.