That’s why in your office you will find stimulants like coffee and sugar; not a meditation room, camomile tea and spirulina bar…
But our soul likes things to be balanced, both doing and being.
(The Buddha called it the middle way).
You are wise enough to decide what “balanced” means for you.
Here is 7 things you will want to know about coffee:
1. Ayurveda on coffee:
Different bodies may react to coffee differently, based on their constitution.
• Vata (air) bodies are easily over-stimulated by coffee and quickly become depleted.
• Pitta (fire) bodies are already over-competitive. Pitta types will be driven even more by the coffee boost. Coffee is too acidic and heating.
• Kapha (earth) bodies: Coffee may be a medicinal boost to stimulate and enhance metabolic function.
* Also think seasons.
2. The good news:
Caffeine stimulates the brain to produce the neurotransmitter dopamine which elevates our moods and make us feel better.
Some research even points to coffee drinkers having fewer problems with depression.
It can reduce your risk of diabetes, alleviate liver cirrhosis and reverse Alzheimer’s damage in the brain by reducing levels of amyloid-beta.
Caffeine can also help get over an asthma attack by increasing heart rate and dilating bronchial passages.
3.Not the best news:
Recent studies suggest that despite its low calorie count, coffee may actually promote weight gain as well as type 2 diabetes
by stimulating cortisol production and insulin resistance.
Most of the negative research on coffee can be linked to its impact on the nervous system. Coffee is a stimulant and increases the release of stress hormones in fight or flight situations. As the adrenaline wears off, cortisol slowly builds up.
If this cycle is repeated often enough, the cortisol creates the same effects as chronic stress:
fatigue, anxiety, nervousness, reduced bone density, irritability and lowered immunity.
(I’m not even going into the sugar and dairy stuff :))
4.Use only organic beans!
Harmful substances commonly used on conventional coffee plants include: cypermethrin, methyl parathion, edosulfan and diazinon.
All highly toxic when ingested .
5. What about decaff?
Right now, methylene chloride and ethyl acetate are the solvents used to remove the caffeine.
A process based on evaporation is chemical free.
6. If you decide to come off caffeine do it gradually and make sure you have time to rest as it can create withdrawal symptoms;
headaches, irritability and mental fogginess, nausea, vomiting, loose stools, depression, anxiety, and fatigue – so always drink lots of water!
7. Hydration- Coffee is dehydrating so do it Italian style -havea glass of water after your coffee. Chin, Chin!
