By Geeta Chopra
It depends on your thyroid level.
Coffee itself has several antioxidants. It’s considered healthy in nature as a result. It is even known to dissolve gallstones. It is a natural cholesterol reducer and could help the liver detoxify. It’s a natural grown product from the earth, and has a grounding aromatic flavor to it.
For individuals with an overactive thyroid, caffeine could be the worst thing you take. The symptoms of a higher functioning thyroid are weight loss, inability to gain weight, excessive appetite, and hair loss. The more important symptoms to pay attention to are: heart palpitations, inability to concentrate, body tremors, shaking, insomnia, irritability, and excessive stool passing. Go back and read this list; coffee exacerbates each one of these symptoms. Drinking coffee will not only prolong healing, but further magnify the problem, making it impossible to heal if consumed continuously.
This may not be good news for the coffee drinker; but it’s very important to be mindful of this. Your doctor may not tell you this, so be a self-advocate for your own health. If you have hyperthyroidism, your thyroid is producing excessive amounts of certain hormones. The side-effects of this, including restlessness, excessive shaking, and inability to sleep, are poisoned by caffeine. Drinking it daily could even case death for such individuals. YOU would need herbal teas that are relaxants; such as chamomile and lavender based. Honey is also very balancing.
In the western world, the majority of people are not suffering from hyperthyroidism. An underactive thyroid is more common. With regards to coffee; for hypothyroidism – the opposite holds true! I am not suggesting that you can drink gallons of coffee weekly, but your coffee consumption is moderately good for your body. It acts as a detoxifier, and cleanser. Too much caffeine is never healthy, so caffeine free coffee is recommended in either case. However, coffee is safe for the latter.
As always, listen to your body, and be mindful of medication you are taking and the interactions thereof. Caffeine does interact with many medications. It also impedes the absorption of calcium, iron, and vitamin C. Therefore, it is advisable to take coffee two hours before or after your vitamins. Happy Healing!
Geeta Chopra is the television host of ‘The Geeta Chopra Show.’ She is a health and wellness coach who helps people heal from their root. She is in the process of writing two books, and gives talks on the subject matter. The approach she uses is influenced by Ayurveda and Chinese medicine.
She has a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Toronto and a Master’s degree from George Washington University. She is also the owner of a real estate development company. Follow her on YouTube to watch her latest TV episodes on various natural healing modalities including gut health, pranayama, the mind-body connection, organ detoxification, rejuvenation, and much more. Her book, “To Every Gastroenterologist in America: What You Didn’t Learn and Med School and to Every Patient Who Becomes Their Victim,” is launching in 2020. Follow her on YouTube to get a free copy. Be the best version of yourself!
