Coffee can impact your thyroid adversely. Find out how.

Swati was continuously checking her wall clock, as it seemed like running faster than usual. She had just joined office after taking 6 months break post delivery of her baby boy. She slept late and had to wake up early in morning. Like every day, even today, she was multi tasking - hurriedly packing her husband’s lunch box, changing her baby’s diapers and giving instructions to nanny regarding her baby’s day care. It was morning time but she was already feeling tired. She realised that of late she was feeling dull & exhausted throughout the day. She also experienced severe hair fall. However, she ignored these symptoms, thinking it was just an effect of her hectic lifestyle. Even that day, as she started feeling anxious and irritated for no reason, she immediately rushed for her morning cup of coffee. Coffee was Swati’s favourite companion throughout day, which she called ‘elixir of her life.’

The same month, she missed her period and realised it was time for her to visit the doctor. The doctor told her that what she was experiencing were the symptoms of thyroid. Swati was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Apart from suggesting her thyroid treatment, shockingly, the first thing the doctor asked her to stop was her favourite coffee. Why? She wondered. Do you seek an answer to that? Read to know why?

1. Coffee causes a sudden spike in blood sugar

There have been studies conducted that show that coffee increases blood sugar levels. This exhausts the adrenals and can lead to thyroid problems. This is especially not good if you have hypoglycaemia as it can leave you feeling nervous and anxious through the day.

2. Coffee interferes in secretion and absorption of hormones

Coffee affects the function of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal gland trio. These in turn affect your thyroid health. Studies indicate that drinking several cups of coffee can stimulate excess secretion of epinephrine and cortisol. These are the stress hormones. Excess secretion of these hormones can leave your body in constant state of anxiety. Coffee is more damaging for those who take hormone replacement medication, as it can inhibit the conversion and absorption of hormones.

3. Coffee tires out your adrenal glands

Coffee stimulates adrenals, which causes secretion of cortisol. This is the reason you feel a sudden burst of energy when you take a cup of coffee. An excess of caffeine when associated with a high carb diet can wear out your adrenal gland. This slows down the thyroid gland functioning and is one of the main causes of hypothyroidism.

4. Coffee leads to oxidative damage

Coffee is highly inflammatory. It can cause damage on a cellular level. Inflammatory foods make our cells burn and die out faster. Inflammation can also lead to diabetes, brittle skin and nails, muscle cramps, insomnia (sleeplessness), and thyroid problems.

5. Coffee creates problems with sleep

Caffeine is a stimulant and inhibits sleep inducing hormones. Studies indicate that drinking over 4-5 cups of coffee daily can lead to sleeplessness and anxiousness at night. Consumption of coffee with milk and sugar is more dangerous because milk and sugar cause more insulin to be released in the blood stream that upsets the thyroid