Skip to main content

Health shots

You need energy in the morning or just want to stay up, you grab a cup of coffee or tea. Caffeine seems to be the perfect solution for someone who needs additional energy to get through a long day at work. So, it can be a great remedy. In fact, some need to have a cup of coffee or tea on their desk at all times. But should you have caffeine during menstruation? Will having caffeine make your period cramps worse? Let’s find out what an expert has to say about consuming caffeine during periods.

Health Shots connected with Hari Lakshmi, Consultant, Dietitian, Nutritionist, Motherhood Hospitals, Alwarpet, Chennai, to find out if having caffeine during menstruation is a good idea or not.

caffeine and menstruation
Caffeine can affect your menstruation. Image courtesy: Adobe Stock

Caffeine and menstruation

Caffeine isn’t limited to your coffee, but can be found in some chocolates and energy drinks too. So, it can go into your body through various foods or drinks. If you are a caffeine addict, excessive caffeine consumption can be quite harmful, especially for menstruating women, says Lakshmi. Here’s how it will affect your health:

1. Sleep

You should limit your intake of caffeinated beverages throughout your menstrual cycle to prevent sleep disturbances and energy level changes.

2. Mood

Limiting the intake of caffeinated drinks during menstruation is also advised because they can cause anxiety, jitters, tension and stress on the adrenal glands, says the expert.

3. Dehydration

Large coffee consumption may increase urination during menstruation. This in turn leads to a loss of vital physiological fluids. Instead of a caffeinated beverage, drink lots of water to keep the body hydrated and lessen your chance of getting bad period symptoms.

caffeine and menstruation
Coffee lovers should try to reduce its intake during menstruation. Image Courtesy: Shutterstock

How much caffeine can you consume during periods?

Coffee inhibits a hormone that can constrict blood arteries and impede blood flow. It can contribute to bloating and stomach pain. So, consuming caffeinated drinks may worsen cramps or period pain.

How we metabolise caffeine depends on factors like genetics, tolerance, age, weight, and liver function. According to the Food and Drug Administration, most people can safely consume 400 mg of caffeine daily that is around four cups of coffee. If you just got down, limit your caffeine intake. But the expert says that the exact amount of how much you should cut down, depends on how your body processes caffeine.

Expert says that coffee contains caffeine, which might boost oestrogen, worsening the situation for women on periods. Although some claim that it eases menstrual discomfort, the truth is that it just makes periods more uncomfortable. Consuming coffee during periods is also connected to longer, heavier periods and other irregularities, according to a 2014 study published in the Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences. It also says that habitual use of caffeine needs to be considered as a risk factor for most of the menstrual abnormalities.

Well, caffeine is not only responsible for missed or irregular periods, but there are other factors too. Some of them are a high-carbohydrate diet, rapid weight loss, stress and heavy drinking.

Things you can do to ensure you have healthy periods

Taking a break from caffeine is one way to have healthy periods. You can also experience healthy periods by doing the following!

• Performing yoga
• Eating a well-balanced healthy diet
• Engaging in more physical activities
• Lowering the consumption of dairy products
• Avoiding smoking

So, take some time off from caffeine while you are down.

The post Caffeine during periods: Why should you cut down on your consumption appeared first on Healthshots.



from | HealthShots https://ift.tt/GEm7wMy
via IFTTT
Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Health shots

An itchy scalp is a common hair problem. I have dandruff, which is probably why I experience an itchy feeling most of the time. It is very bothersome, especially because it may lead to scalp odour, and hair damage. Also, persistent humidity might create an environment that promotes fungal or bacterial diseases. Use azadirachta indica or neem for itchy scalp, says my mom. She believes that since neem is rich in anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, it can help treat a variety of scalp infections. When I used it, it helped reduce inflammation on the scalp. What are the causes of itchy scalp? An itchy scalp can be caused by several factors, including common irritants and underlying medical issues. Here are a few common culprits – 1. Dandruff Dandruff can lead to itchy scalp, but does not give the red or inflamed appearance. It can happen in oily areas of your body, like your scalp, face, or chest, as per a study published in the Journal of Clinical and Investigative Dermato...
Read more

Health shots

Every time you get sick, mothers and grandmothers always have a million remedies to help you get some relief. One of the most common health problems is cough. Not long ago, I got a bad cough, and my mother came to my rescue and suggested that I should eat guava leaves for cough. Baffled at first, I was skeptical to try it out but believing her instincts, I tried it and guava leaves gave me some relief. While it worked for me, I had to check with an expert if it worked or if it was just a coincidence. Guava leaves for cough: Does it work? Cough is a health condition that causes trouble breathing. There are various reasons behind this health condition like allergies, infections, or environmental pollutants. Guava leaf extract has been part of ancient home remedies for centuries. It was used to treat ailments such as cough and pulmonary diseases in Bolivia and Egypt. It was also a part of ancient cough remedies  in India, according to a study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmac...
Read more

Health shots

When you want instant boiling water for tea or coffee, an electric kettle can make it quick and easy. An electric kettle is a useful kitchen equipment that rapidly and efficiently boils water. It typically comprises a container with an electrically powered heating element. Electric kettles have various advantages over traditional stovetop kettles, such as faster boiling periods, automatic shut-off functions, and precise temperature control. They come in various sizes, designs, and materials, including stainless steel and glass. Electric kettles are multifunctional and can be used for more than just boiling water, such as brewing tea, coffee, instant noodles, and soup. Here are some of the best electric kettles hand-picked for you! 6 best electric kettles for hot water Check out the best electric kettle for a hassle-free hot water solution. 1. Pigeon Electric Kettle This electric kettle from Pigeon comes with a stainless steel body and a 1.5-liter capacity. This 1500W electric kettl...
Read more