Doctor warns of coffee habit that should make you worried
Coffee makes the world go round, but there is one habit when it comes to java that should have you concerned.
Second only to water, coffee is believed to be one of the world's most popular beverages, with over two billion cups of the hot stuff drunk every single day.
Whether you have it flat or frothy, piping hot or ice-cold, white or black or full of sugar, coffee is the fuel that gets a lot of us through the working week, but it can have its drawbacks.
Coffee is packed full of caffeine, a natural stimulant that keeps us alert and active by blocking adenosine receptors in the brain.
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While caffeine can work miracles and is typically harmless, drinking too much or even drinking it at the wrong time can cause issues, as Doctor Pedi has warned.
How drinking coffee in the morning could be bad for you
Dr. Pedi, a Naturopathic and Function Medicine Doctor, offers health tips on his YouTube channel and has explained that having coffee, or tea, first thing in the morning could lead to constipation.
"If you poop only after eating coffee and tea in the mornings, it could be a sign you're chronically constipated and can be making things worse," Dr. Pedi said in a YouTube short.
"Because starting your day with coffee or tea can be making you more dehydrated as you've gone overnight without any water.
"Yes, for some people, caffeine helps them go, but starting your day with caffeine worsens dehydration, causing your colon to pull water from the stool to compensate, which makes the stool harder and more difficult to pass.
"And if you drink black tea, the tannins in the tea could worsen constipation."
Thankfully, the expert on gut health issues from San Diego, California, USA, has provided some advice on what you can do to maintain a healthy digestive system.
"Instead, you want to start your day with a big glass of water before any coffee or tea," he said.
"To increase your fibre to at least 25-30 grams per day, from whole foods like fruits, vegetables and legumes. Make sure you're dehydrated throughout the day by drinking six-eight glasses of water each day.
"And to make sure to avoid laying down or sitting down after you eat and instead going on a walk to support the movement of food through your digestion system."
"Remember, while drinking coffee or tea can give temporary relief, addressing the root causes of constipation is essential for long-term digestive health."
How many cups of coffee can you drink a day?
It's quite easy to lose yourself and drink an abundance of coffee throughout the day, especially when you're hard at work and you feel the eyelids growing heavy.
Yet, it's important to not go overboard, as too much caffeine can lead to issues such as anxiety, sleeplessness, agitation and even diarrhoea.
To make sure you don't cross the line, the famous Mayo Clinic recommends about four cups of coffee as the limit.
It says: "Up to 400 milligrams of caffeine a day seems safe for most adults. That's about the amount of caffeine in four cups of brewed coffee, 10 cans of cola or two "energy shot" drinks. Keep in mind that the caffeine content in drinks varies widely."
Topics: Health, Food And Drink, YouTube
Daniel Murphy