6 Common Myths about Coffee Consumption

If you’re just now starting your fitness journey, or you’ve been at it for a while, and need a refresher, we’re about to get into all things coffee related. An unfortunately common through line in the nutrition and fitness world is that the answers to your questions often depend on who you ask. While most claims are backed by research, it’s how the information is presented that often adds more confusion than clarity to your journey, and even your morning coffee (or afternoon coffee, or evening coffee) isn’t safe from scrutiny! 

That’s why we wanted to talk about some common myths about coffee and caffeine consumption to set the record straight. Just like any other substance, you’ll find that moderation is key. But everybody’s body is different, and in turn reacts differently to substances, so the most important takeaway you should have after we spill the tea (or should we say coffee?), is how you feel, and whether your current level of consumption is having positive or negative effects on your daily life. 

We searched the entirety of the internet (we had a lot of coffee before writing this one… for science!), and came up with six of the most common misconceptions about America’s favorite quick pick-me-up, and we’re going to give you the grind on what we know to be true.

Coffee is addictive

Caffeine is a natural stimulant that can lead to physical dependence if consumed regularly in high amounts. When you consume caffeine regularly, your body can become tolerant to it, requiring more to achieve the same effects. If you try to quit cold turkey, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as headache, fatigue, and irritability.

The important thing for you to do is listen to your body. Some people out there never get the coffee jitters, and they’re fine when they suddenly stop drinking it. But for others, they’ll experience mild withdrawal, and will probably need a few days to level out. 

Coffee is likely to cause insomnia

When you consume caffeine, it blocks your adenosine receptors. Adenosine is a chemical in the brain that promotes sleep, like melatonin. This can make it more difficult for you to fall asleep and stay asleep, which is a roundabout way of describing insomnia. If you’re particularly sensitive to caffeine, it’s in your best interest to not have any coffee or soda in the afternoon, because it can stay in your system for quite some time.

Coffee increases the risk of Osteoporosis, Heart Disease, and Cancer 

The evidence on the effects of coffee consumption on the risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, and cancer is mixed and can depend on various factors such as the amount and frequency of coffee consumption, individual health status, and lifestyle factors. Though there is some validity to these claims, there hasn’t been enough research to definitively say that coffee is responsible for these conditions. 

Coffee is dehydrating 

Coffee is a mild diuretic, which means that it can increase urine output and potentially lead to fluid loss. However, the diuretic effect of coffee is mild and generally does not cause significant dehydration when consumed in moderation. In fact, those who consume 3-5 cups of coffee on a daily basis are fine so long as they work some water into their drink rotation. In other words, if you skip out on your sixth or seventh coffee, your hydration levels will be just fine. 

Coffee can help you sober up 

To some people, coffee is the tried and true way to sober up after a night of drinking, but this is actually a form of deception. The caffeine in coffee will make you feel more alert and lucid, but your body metabolizes alcohol at a fixed rate. Meaning, if you just left a kegger, a trip to Starbucks will still have you blowing record numbers on the breathalyzer. There is no quick way to sober up, and you just have to ride the clock out on this one. 

Coffee doesn’t work into your workout routine

Have you ever read the labels on those pre-workout igniters? Well, if you haven’t, caffeine is more often than not the active ingredient, and for good reason. The caffeine in coffee has been shown to enhance endurance and athletic performance, making it a popular pre-workout beverage. So if you want a solid pre-workout fix without all the other additives, a simple cup of black coffee could give you the push you need to make some serious gains. 

So there you have it! We’ve debunked the myths about coffee, and turns out it’s not so bad after all! We do need to stress that with any food or beverage you consume, moderation is key. But if you’re making progress in your fitness journey, and you’re a moderate coffee drinker, you won’t have to change much about your lifestyle. But if you find yourself staring bug-eyed at your ceiling at 3am, then you might want to do a line check, and make sure you’re not kept up because of your coffee habit!