Status: 15.10.2023, 19:00 PM
By: Juliane Gutmann
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Are you a coffee junkie? You're not alone. Many people really need coffee. If you want to reduce your consumption, you should not do so abruptly.
For some people, going to the coffee machine is the first of the day. Because when the alarm clock rings, quite a few are tempted to hurl it against the wall. First aid against the morning bad mood is then promised by the first coffee of the day. It has been proven that the caffeine it contains stimulates us, increases performance and concentration. Researchers also found that coffee's mood-boosting effects go so far that it can prevent serious mental illness. For example, caffeine is said to be able to prevent the development of depression.
Slow tapering off coffee: Rapid withdrawal carries danger
But coffee consumption can also have negative effects. Depending on how the body metabolizes the substances it contains, some people may be sensitive. Palpitations, sleep disorders and problems falling asleep, headaches, nervousness and gastrointestinal problems can occur as a result. Even hallucinations are possible due to extreme coffee consumption, British researchers at Durham University claim to have discovered.
Would you like to drink less coffee from now on or will you even have to do without the pick-me-up altogether in the future without medical advice? Then they should slowly reduce their consumption. This is because an abrupt withdrawal can put an immense strain on the body.
There are many reasons not to go cold turkey. © Imago
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Headaches to cold symptoms: withdrawal symptoms when giving up coffee
As the Saarland University Hospital (UKS) informs, there are both experts who consider coffee to be a drug and those who do not attest to the risk of addiction. The fact is, however, that the sudden renunciation of coffee can lead to withdrawal symptoms. According to the UKS, these include:
- Headache
- Exhaustion, drowsiness and loss of energy
- Lethargy
- Difficulty concentrating
- Depression
- Muscle
- Symptoms reminiscent of a cold, such as nasal congestion
Hearing problems can also result from coffee withdrawal too quickly. Physical stress and fluctuations in blood pressure are discussed as the cause of this. Tinnitus patients could also be harmed. For example, the German Federal Association of Otorhinolaryngologists quotes British researchers, according to which acute withdrawal symptoms would burden tinnitus sufferers even more.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It is in no way a substitute for a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about clinical pictures.