Does Coffee Cause Stress? (Solved & Explained!)

Coffee does not cause stress when drank in moderation. However, coffee causes our bodies to produce hormones and chemicals that mimic stress when drank in large quantities. If you are already stressed, coffee can exacerbate the issue, no matter how much or little you drink.

Although there certainly is a correlation between stress and coffee, its relationship is nuanced. Keep reading to fully understand how coffee relates to stress and anxiety.

Can coffee cause stress and anxiety?

According to many studies, such as studies conducted by Harvard and Duke, a high amount of caffeine can trigger a stress-like response in the body. Whenever you experience stress, your body has elevated cortisol, adrenaline, and other similar chemicals.

Coffee also results in the same hormones and chemicals. Especially if you drink a lot of coffee, your body will have a large jump in cortisol, which is what is responsible for the feelings of stress associated with actual times of anxiety and caffeine consumption.

Does coffee always cause stress and anxiety?

Drinking too much coffee is associated with stress and anxiety because of its effect on your cortisol levels. However, drinking a single cup of coffee does not often result in stress. On the contrary, studies have suggested that having one or two cups of coffee a day can help elevate your mood without causing extreme feelings of stress.

The key to drinking coffee without feeling stressed is monitoring your consumption. You do not want to drink more than three cups of coffee a day. This amount of caffeine will cause your body to feel like it is stressed.

How does coffee trigger stress?

Drinking too much coffee at one time triggers a stress response in your body. Generally, four cups of coffee or more trigger stress-related chemicals, such as adrenaline and cortisol. This makes your body feel stressed, even when you are not in a stressful scenario.

If you are in a stressful scenario, coffee will exacerbate the stress even more. Since you already have elevated cortisol levels, drinking coffee will increase the cortisol even more, further contributing to your stress problem.

How do I know if my coffee is causing stress?

If you feel stressed but don’t know why, consider your coffee consumption. If you drink more than three cups of coffee a day, the coffee could be the cause of your stress. Additionally, consider if you consume other types of caffeine in addition to the coffee throughout the day.

For example, drinking two cups of coffee with different types of tea can cause stress, just as drinking five cups of coffee will. So, monitor your caffeine consumption rigorously to determine if your coffee is the cause of your stress.

How can I drink coffee without triggering stress?

Even though there is a connection between coffee and stress, there are ways that you can drink this delicious beverage without triggering stress. Most importantly, do not drink too much coffee. Try not to drink more than three cups of coffee a day to limit caffeine intake.

Additionally, avoid drinking caffeine after 2:00 PM or when you are already feeling stressed. You might also want to incorporate physical exercise into your daily routine when you are drinking coffee to help offset the feelings of stress associated with coffee consumption.

Should people with anxiety drink coffee?

If you already suffer from stress and anxiety, it’s best to avoid coffee and other caffeinated beverages. Although just one cup of coffee will not cause stress in a healthy person, individuals who already suffer from stress and anxiety will only feel worse if they add coffee on top of their symptoms.

What are safer coffee alternatives for people with stress and anxiety?

Individuals who suffer from stress and anxiety should avoid coffee. Instead, opt for caffeine-free beverages, such as herbal tea.

There are a lot of teas that are reminiscent of caffeinated beverages without actually having caffeine in them. Rooibos tea, for example, is a hearty tea that is caffeine-free. It can come in many flavors too, including cappuccino or French vanilla, which can mimic the flavor of favorite coffee drinks.

Is coffee bad for your health?

When drank in moderation, coffee can be good for your health. It is packed full of micronutrients and has been associated with lower numbers of heart disease, cancer, and a number of other illnesses. Unfortunately, it can be bad for your health if you load it full of sugars or drink too much of it.

When the coffee has a lot of sugar or creamer, it can pack on the calories fast, leading to weight gain and weight-related illnesses. Likewise, excessive amounts of coffee result in caffeine dependence and a number of stress-related illnesses due to increased cortisol levels.

By using minimal additives and monitoring how much coffee you are consuming every day, you can avoid most of these negative outcomes.

Are there benefits of drinking coffee?

Whenever you consume too much coffee, it can have negative side effects. However, drinking coffee responsibly actually has a lot of benefits. Most obviously, it can help boost your energy levels so that you can stay focused and accomplish all of your tasks for the day.

Coffee is also associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. Some studies have even found that individuals who drink moderate coffee daily have a lower risk of depression. Once again, it’s important to point out that these benefits only are present whenever the drinker consumes moderate amounts of coffee or less.

In what ways does coffee affect my body?

Caffeine from coffee is absorbed easily into your body. Caffeine is what affects your body most within the drink. Within 30 minutes of drinking coffee, you will have increased physical energy and mental alertness. For some individuals, these effects can last as much as 12 hours.

Whenever you drink too much coffee, caffeine can interfere with certain mineral absorption, such as the absorption of calcium. It can also trigger the production of many hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline.