Currently, drinking coffee has become a habit for a lot of people (especially young people). The number of cafes nowadays, makes them have a place to discuss, tell stories, hang out, and more, while ordering a cup of coffee. The cafe does not only provide one coffee variant, but they also provide various interesting and delicious variants, such as americano, vanilla latte, moccacino, cappuccino, and many more.
People often drink coffee before they move in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Coffee is often used to refresh their bodies so that they are not sleepy while on the move.
However, can we consume coffee every day?
The answer is yes, as long as it does not exceed the normal limit for consuming coffee. According to the European Food Safety Authority, the normal limit for consuming coffee should be no more than 4 cups or the equivalent of 400 milligrams of espresso coffee a day. If you consume coffee beyond the normal limit, several effects will appear, such as anxiety, indigestion, headaches, and a fast heart rate. This effect is because the body consumes too much caffeine.
Then, do these effects affect the work of hormones?
Yes, Prescription Hope notes that our bodies produce many hormones that can affect our mood, behavior, and energy levels. Caffeine can also affect these aspects so there is a link between caffeine and hormones.
Dangers of Drinking Coffee on Hormonal Health
Caffeine can affect hormones, both the production and receptors of the hormone itself. Some of the common hormones that can be affected by caffeine are as follows:- Cortisol
Cortisol is a hormone that functions to regulate stress in the body. Our bodies have cortisol because it is responsible for helping the body perform various every day functions. For example, cortisol levels will be high in the morning to encourage you to wake up.
As for some of the responsibilities of the hormone cortisol for the body, as follows:
- Control the sleep cycle
- Increase glucose levels in the blood
- Increase energy
- Reduce inflammation
- Control the body's use of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats from food
If cortisol levels are high, this can inhibit the brain's working system, slow down the body's metabolism, cause muscle weakness, and increase blood pressure. However, if cortisol levels are low, it can make the body feel weak, tired, anxious, and emotional.
Thus, if you feel these symptoms you should reduce the amount of caffeine you consume every day.
- Adrenaline
Adrenaline is a hormone that is similar to cortisol. Adrenaline also helps the body to perform its every day functions properly. The difference between the two is that adrenaline is a short-term hormone, while cortisol is a long-term hormone.
Caffeine can cause adrenaline to spike temporarily, giving a person more energy; however, this spike can go down over time and make the body tired. A study also shows that consuming too much caffeine can damage our adrenal glands, and in turn lead to adrenal fatigue.
- Dopamine
Dopamine is a hormone that is often referred to as the “emotion control” hormone. Our bodies often release this hormone during exercise. That is why after running, our bodies will experience a runner’s high. When this hormone is released in the right amount it can improve mood, thus making a person happy and joyful. However, if the body lacks dopamine a person’s mood will be bad and the person might even become depressed.
Caffeine can affect this hormone by slowing its absorption. Therefore, caffeine does not directly increase dopamine. Caffeine slows down the speed at which dopamine leaves the brain, thus creating a temporary increase in dopamine levels in the brain (improving a person’s mood).
- Serotonin
Serotonin is a hormone that is responsible for improving our mood. This hormone can also determine a person's sex drive, memory, sleep, and appetite.
Consuming caffeine in excess can lead to reduced levels of serotonin in the body. Low serotonin levels will trigger symptoms of depression. Irregular serotonin levels can also affect sleep patterns, pain, and appetite.
However, some studies say that, although caffeine can cause a decrease in serotonin, caffeine can also increase the sensitivity of serotonin receptors. These serotonin receptors will take up more serotonin that is there, so this can improve a person's mood.
- Testosterone
Testosterone is a hormone that is responsible for a person’s sex drive and sperm production. This hormone can actually be found in both men and women, however, this hormone is the main hormone in the male body. In addition, testosterone is also responsible for regulating muscle mass, fat distribution, and the production of red blood cells.
According to a study, regular caffeine intake can regulate testosterone levels in the body and men who often consume coffee tend to have higher testosterone levels.
- Estrogen
Estrogen is a hormone that plays an important role in the development and growth of women's sexuality and the reproductive process. Similar to testosterone, estrogen is actually present in the bodies of both men and women. However, the levels of this hormone in men are lower, so this hormone is much more active in the female body.
Caffeine can also affect estrogen levels in women, however, it all depends on the nationality that each individual has. A study showed that when Asian women consume 200 milligrams of caffeine, this will cause an increase in estrogen levels in their bodies. On the other hand, when Caucasian women consume the same amount of caffeine, they experience a lowering of estrogen levels.
It is important to note that estrogen levels do not actually have a negative impact on women; however, irregular changes in estrogen levels can lead to breast and ovarian cancer, endometriosis, and osteoporosis.
Aside from coffee, alcohol consumption can have an impact on health and hormone levels in the body.
Those are some of the harmful effects of coffee on the body's hormones when consumed in excess. You should regulate your coffee intake to keep your hormones happy!
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