Coffee punctuates the days of millions of people. However, what happens when you decide to stop drinking it overnight? Alexandra Murcier, dietician and nutritionist, conducted the experiment with a patient consuming four to five cups daily. Thirty days later, the effects observed on his body are much more complex than expected.
A rapid effect on sleep and digestion
From the first days, the benefits were felt. Sleep subsided, the heart calmed down. “The person who stops drinking coffee will have fewer tachycardia problems and better quality sleep relatively quickly.“, underlines the nutritionist. Insomnia gradually calms down and waking up becomes smoother.
Another striking observation: better digestion. Caffeine often irritates the stomach lining and promotes acid reflux. After a few days without coffee, the patient noted a reduction in these inconveniences and regained digestive comfort.
The energy roller coaster
One of the major challenges was managing energy variations. “When you drink coffee, you get a spike in energy and then a crash afterwards. And it’s a vicious circle: with the sleep disturbances that this can cause, the next day, we are more tired and we consume even more coffee.“, explains Alexandra Murcier.
To soften this phase, the specialist recommends more stable drinks such as chicory or tea. “The energy provided by tea is much more constant, with less variation throughout the day“, she explains.
Withdrawal and its side effects
The first days without coffee are not easy. Fatigue, irritability, headaches and lack of concentration appear frequently, but they remain temporary. To mitigate these effects, the nutritionist advises increasing fiber and legumes to stimulate transit. And for those who simply want to reduce their consumption without stopping everything, she recommends a gentle method: “It is preferable to limit yourself to two to three cups per day and avoid consuming it after a meal so as not to impact sleep.“.
Finally, she urges caution with regard to decaffeinated coffee, some extraction methods of which may contain chemical solvents.