Is Coffee Good or Bad for Your Mental Health?Is Coffee Good or Bad for Your Mental Health? According to Kristine M. Glass, MD, a psychiatrist at Texas Tech Health El Paso, coffee consumption can be beneficial if consumed in moderation. However, excessive intake can have adverse effects on mental health. Moderate Consumption vs. Excessive Use The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) deems moderate coffee consumption as part of a healthy diet. However, excessive use can lead to negative side effects such as: * Unhappiness * Insomnia * Nervousness * Anxiety * Nausea * Headaches Understanding Your Threshold Dr. Glass emphasizes the importance of understanding your caffeine tolerance. Start with a small intake and gradually increase to determine your threshold without triggering adverse effects. Reducing Caffeine Intake If you decide to reduce your caffeine consumption, do so gradually. Abrupt cessation can lead to withdrawal symptoms like anxiety and nervousness. Recommended Daily Intake Dr. Glass recommends around 2 milligrams of coffee per day. By following doctor’s orders and consuming in moderation, you can enjoy your daily cup of coffee without compromising your mental health.
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Many El Paso residents say they enjoy coffee on a daily basis. Kristine M. Glass, MD, a psychiatrist, physician and assistant professor at Texas Tech Health El Paso, says it’s OK to drink coffee as long as you do it in moderation. She also says it’s important to understand your threshold and how you respond to caffeine. That means being mindful of how much you’re consuming and how you’re dosing it throughout the day.
The Food and Drug Administration says that moderate coffee consumption can be part of a healthy diet, but they also warn that excessive use can affect your mental health. Excessive use can lead to side effects such as unhappiness, insomnia, nervousness, anxiety, nausea and headaches. Dr. Glass says that caffeine affects everyone differently and advises you to gauge how much you can handle without causing negative side effects. You can do this by starting small and gradually building up.
Additionally, the FDA says that if you want to reduce your caffeine intake, you should also do so gradually. Dr. Glass agrees, saying that quitting abruptly can affect your mental health by causing withdrawal symptoms, anxiety, and nervousness. Dr. Glass also said she recommends about 2 milligrams of coffee per day. The good news is that you can enjoy a cup of coffee every day as long as you follow your doctor’s orders and do it in moderation to protect your mental health.
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