We’re spilling the beans on caffeine!
Sort the fake news from the facts – check out these four commonly asked questions about caffeine…
Does Caffeine Stunt Your Growth?
In a word, no. There’s no medical evidence to suggest that caffeine will stunt your growth. However, although caffeine doesn’t affect growth, it can influence other areas of your development. A recent news story in The Telegraph reported: “A 2018 study cited by the BNF shows that, in the 12-18 age group, daily energy drinks were strongly associated with increased risk of headaches, sleeping problems, irritation and fatigue. It is also thought that caffeinated drinks can lead to chronic lethargy and digestive issues.”
So, while energy drinks and coffee won’t affect how tall you’ll grow, they can have a negative impact on your mood, sleep, energy, and general health.
Does Caffeine Make You Pee?
It does indeed! Caffeine is a diuretic, meaning it causes your kidneys to make more urine. If you find yourself nipping to the loo more often, try avoiding diuretics such as caffeinated drinks and spicy foods. Also, make an appointment with your doctor to rule out any underlying problems such as a urine infection.
Does Coffee Make You Poop?
We need to talk about the brown stuff (sorry, not sorry). Why does coffee always make you wanna poop?! Well, there’s no definitive medical evidence but it’s thought that coffee can have a laxative effect. Some people swear by a cup of coffee to get their bowels moving while others state that it has the opposite effect, especially those with IBD (Irritable Bowel Disease).
Despite a TON of medical studies, there’s no one clear reason why coffee sends you straight to the loo for a No.2.
Does Caffeine Give You Headaches?
You’ve sunk one too many coffees to get you through a busy day at work and now you have a banging headache. Ugh. Roll on the evening and you’re at the gym: you drink two energy drinks, back-to-back, only to feel a thumping pain start in your temple. Yes, caffeine can trigger headaches. But – and get this – it can also stop a headache.
Confused? Let us break it down for you. If you regularly consume caffeine, your body becomes dependent on it. So, when you take it away (if you decide to cut out your morning coffee, for example) this can for some, trigger a withdrawal headache. Ouchy. Drink plenty of water and use pain relief if needed until the withdrawal symptoms start to fade. Always see a doctor if you’re affected by persistent headaches or if you want to reduce your caffeine intake by quite a lot.
Caffeine can also relieve a headache. During a headache, your blood vessels swell, pulse, and tighten. Caffeine can sometimes save the day by unleashing its superpower – vasoconstrictive properties. Put simply, it can help to narrow the blood vessels and relieve pain. That’s why you’ll often see paracetamol or ibuprofen containing caffeine on the medicine shelf.
Want to learn more about how caffeine can affect your health? Click here!
