What Might Happen If You Suddenly Quit Coffee

Although coffee has a number of health benefits, quitting it might be the right decision to make for some people. But no matter how tempting it may sound to start living a caffeine-free life as soon as possible, it’s better to reduce the amount of coffee you drink daily gradually and give yourself time to adjust to the changes. Our bodies become dependent on coffee, and eliminating it from your diet all of a sudden may cause some unpleasant symptoms, also known as caffeine withdrawal.

We at Bright Side also tried to quit coffee quite a few times. And we did our research to find out what happens if you decide to cut it out from your diet once and for all.

1. You might get headaches.

If you’ve ever woken up with a terrible headache, you probably know that a cup of hot, strong coffee can make this pain disappear. This happens because coffee narrows the blood vessels in your brain. When you suddenly decide to banish coffee from your diet, it causes blood vessels to open up, which increases blood flow to the brain. Your body might react to this sudden change in blood flow with painful headaches that will last while the brain is adapting to the increased blood flow.

2. You may feel more anxious.

As contradictory as it sounds, quitting coffee can actually make you even more nervous. Although caffeine can cause you to feel jittery, your body becomes mentally and physically dependent on it. Cutting out coffee all of a sudden can make you feel anxious and stressed out. And if you’re used to having your cup of java with sugar or sweetened syrups, you might experience sugar withdrawal symptoms as well, which may cause you to feel even more intense nervousness.

3. It might affect your skin.

Anxiety may cause you to sweat and your heart to beat much faster, and it’s not good for your skin either. That’s because it triggers the production of cortisol, also known as the stress hormone, which affects your skin’s pores and causes oil production to increase. This, in turn, may lead to clogged pores, blackheads, and skin that looks oily and greasy. Stress and anxiety are your skin’s worst enemies, and they can even cause your skin to age prematurely.

4. It may make your teeth more sensitive.

One of the most unpleasant symptoms of caffeine withdrawal is likely nausea. Upset stomach and nausea may cause you to throw up, which, in turn, can affect your teeth. Although drinking coffee often might stain your teeth and cause them to look yellowish, quitting it suddenly isn’t good for your oral health either. Vomiting can cause dryness of the mouth and erosion, which makes your teeth more sensitive and prone to cavities.

5. You might feel dizzy.

If you’re a coffee drinker, you know that if you feel a bit light-headed in the morning, your favorite cup of java will save the day. But once you make the decision to quit coffee once and for all, your body needs time to adapt to these changes and might respond with a feeling of dizziness. Try to sit or lie down if you’re feeling light-headed. These symptoms usually last up to 9 days, and your body needs time to get used to the change.

6. You may find it harder to concentrate.

In addition to helping you wake up in the morning, coffee can improve your focus before exams or a big day at work. Caffeine increases your adrenaline levels, causing your blood pressure to raise and also stimulating the brain. Once you decide to live caffeine-free, it might cause you to struggle with concentration at first, but your body will eventually get used to functioning without it.

Have you ever tried to quit coffee? Do you think it’s easier to do it gradually or to rip off the band-aid and start a caffeine-free life on Monday?