WHAT HAPPENS WHEN...
Whether yours is a cortado, a cold brew or you worship at the altar of Diet Coke, go cold turkey on caffeine and your body will notice
...you take caffeine off the menu
SHORT FUSE
Swerving the daily grind? You may want to add a little heads-up to your email signature. ‘Caffeine causes a mild physical dependence, so giving it up has side effects,’ says dietitian and sports nutritionist Linia Patel (liniapatel.com). A pounding headache and irritability being the most notable. Working in an open-plan office? May we suggest wearing a cautionary badge, too?
NODDING OFF
With your pick-me-up put down, it’s hardly surprising you’re not so chirpy. ‘Caffeine binds to your brain’s adenosine receptors and prevents them from making you feel drowsy,’ says Patel. To compensate, your brain develops more of them, so it takes more caffeine to stave off fatigue. When you give it up, those receptors will signal that you’re tired prematurely. A mid-morning nap’s a thing, right?
GUT’S UP?
When you’re drinking Diet Coke like it’s water, it’s your gut that pays the price. ‘Some people find that caffeine affects their bowel movements,’ warns Patel. It means that pulling the plug on your habit can lead to a blockage in your pipes. ‘Eat more highfibre food, such as fruit and legumes (more of which on page 36), keep hydrated and stay active,’ suggests Patel.
ATHLETE’S AID
Banishing brain fog isn’t all that third cuppa was good for. ‘Caffeine is used as an ergogenic aid (a performance enhancer) in sports nutrition as it spares muscle glycogen and diminishes your perception of fatigue,’ adds Patel. You can still smash that PB when you’re caffeine-free by fuelling your workouts adequately and staying well hydrated.
READY TO RUMBLE
Reaching into your snack drawer every five minutes? Yeah, thought so. ‘Caffeine contains phytochemicals called chlorogenic acids, which are thought to decrease appetite,’ says Patel. Plug the teapot-shaped hole by upping your intake of chlorogenic acidcontaining foods such as blueberries, apples, pears and artichokes and keep hunger locked up until teatime.