Ah caffeine. That legal drug which apparently 90% of the world is consuming, which is pretty interesting when you consider the impact it has on our hormones and endometriosis.
We’ve talked about caffeine and endometriosis before, but today I’m sharing an updated version on the subject as well as my own personal tips and experiences with reducing my caffeine intake.
This is an exert from a Facebook Live I did in my Owning This EndoLife Challenge Facebook group - a safe space where each month you can learn new methods for reducing your endometriosis symptoms and thriving with endo.
Here are some key takeaways from the episode:
Caffeine causes blood sugar spikes, and if you were with us during March, you'll know how important stable blood sugar is for balanced hormones and endometriosis management. Read up on it all here.
Whilst it's not an inflammatory for everyone, caffeine is an inflammatory for many of us. Higher levels of inflammation in our bodies mean worsening pain levels - not to mention a host of other issues such as a higher risk of depression, anxiety and chronic diseases.
Caffeine has been shown in studies to contribute to the development of cysts in both the breasts and ovaries. So if you have PCOS or endometriomas, this is super important.
Caffeine can over-burden the liver, meaning that it can't handle detoxing the body of excess or toxic forms of oestrogen, resulting in oestrogen build up in the body which can lead to further endo growth.
Caffeine can cause our body to create feelings of anxiety, such as accelerated heart beat and breathing, making us feel anxious - even if we're not.
Caffeine is considered an anti-nutrient, meaning it takes a lot of nutrients to process and remove from the body, resulting in depleted levels of hormone essentials such as B vitamins.
Caffeine can upset the gut in multiple ways, from aggravating IBS to causing an imbalance in your gut bacteria. These problems can lead to multiple issues such as nutrient malabsorption to leading gut and food intolerances.
Caffeine affects your sleep quality - which has a huge knock on affect on your health, from reducing the healing processes that take place whilst you sleep, to making you insulin resistant the next day (again, read up on blood sugar) and negatively affecting your mental health, just for starters.
Caffeine has been linked in studies to infertility problems, which many people with endometriosis are battling with.
Cut down by one cup if you're drinking multiple cups a day. Try removing the cup you have later in the day, to help improve your sleep.
Start switching to decaf bit by bit - try 3/4 scoop of caffeinated to 1/4 scoop of decaf, and then over the month get to a whole scoop of decaf only.
Swap your caffeinated drink for my Lion's Milk recipe (you all have access to my book for free, here).
If you're really not ready to quit yet - never drink caffeine on an empty stomach, it'll send your blood sugar soaring!
Add some fat to your caffeine to slow down the blood sugar spike and minimise the damage, try coconut oil, MCT oil or collagen powder.
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If you feel like you need more support with managing endometriosis, you can join Your EndoLife Coaching Programme. A 1-to-1 three month health and life coaching programme to help you thrive with endometriosis. To find out more about the programme and to discuss whether it could be right for you, email me at hello@thisendolife.com or visit my website.
I am now offering one-off two hour sessions for those of you who aren’t quite ready for a 12 week coaching programme. This intensive deep dive session will kick start your journey to living and thriving with endometriosis and give you a plan that you can take forward and work on alone. Click here to find out more about the programme.
My cookbook This EndoLife, It Starts with Breakfast is out now! Get 28 anti-inflammatory, hormone friendly recipes for living and thriving with endometriosis. Order your copy here.
This episode is also sponsored by my free guide ‘Managing Endometriosis Naturally’. This guide is perfect for anyone just starting out on this journey of managing and reducing their symptoms. Download here.
This episode is sponsored by The Pod Farm. Learn all about how to start your own podcast with the complete course from The Pod Farm. Aimed at beginners, this course takes a simple and straightforward approach to planning, equipment buying, setting up, recording, editing and hosting your own podcast. With hours of audio and video materials, and downloadable guides and useful links, this multimedia approach aims to have something for every kind of learner.
This episode is sponsored by BeYou. Soothe period cramps the natural way with these 100% natural and discreet menthol and eucalyptus oil stick on patches and CBD range. Click here to find out more and to shop: https://beyouonline.co.uk
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