Coffee is the ultimate go-to drink for a quick energy boost and sharper focus. Research has linked it to a host of health benefits, including a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, as well as supporting both heart and brain health. It has even been associated with aiding weight loss and boosting longevity. However, Dr Sooj, an NHS GP and A&E doctor, warned that if you are suffering from disrupted sleep, anxiety or heart palpitations, it might be time to rethink your daily intake.
Doctor's Advice on Coffee Consumption
Speaking to his TikTok followers, the health professional advised: "Please reduce the amount of coffee that you're drinking. Ideally, stop it completely." Dr Sooj stressed the importance of sleep over coffee consumption, noting: "Coffee has a long half-life and it stays in your system way longer than you think it does."
He added: "This means your morning cup of coffee is likely to still be in your system when you try to go to bed that night, and it will massively reduce the quality of your sleep."
Impact on Blood Pressure and Heart Health
On the subject of blood pressure, the NHS cautioned that drinking more than four cups of coffee a day could push your readings higher. To safeguard heart health, Victoria Taylor, a dietitian from the British Heart Foundation, suggested a moderate amount of tea or coffee. This is around four or five cups daily, which is perfectly fine for most people.
"Research shows that this level of caffeine intake shouldn't be detrimental to your heart health, affect your cholesterol levels or heart rhythm," she said. "Although drinking coffee has been shown to increase blood pressure, this effect is usually temporary and is minimised over time if you drink caffeinated drinks regularly."
Some people are more sensitive to caffeine and can experience palpitations. If this is you, then it's sensible to avoid caffeine. Remember that caffeine is found in quite a few sources including: tea, green tea, coffee, energy drinks, cola and chocolate.
