Have you ever wondered exactly how much energy coffee gives you? What if it’s not really much of a help, but instead it’s just something that just rearranges your natural energy rather than giving you a boost? I wanted to know the answers to these questions, so I did the unthinkable: I broke up with coffee for six weeks so I could know once and for all: Does coffee really give you energy?
The quick answer, of course, is yes.
Everybody knows that.
But popular wisdom wasn’t good enough for me. I hail from Washington State, the birthplace of Starbucks, Seattle’s Best, Tully’s and thousands of other charming American coffee houses. When I return home for a visit I make the rounds, sharing a cup of joe or cappuccino with everyone I’ve ever known.
Seriously. All we do is drink coffee in various locations. My husband teases me about this.
I’m on a health kick right now. Basically, I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired. I conducted a grand experiment of extreme wellness, which I’ll share another time. One of the first things on the chopping block was coffee.
Don’t get me wrong; I don’t think coffee is bad for your health. There is ample scientific evidence of its benefits when consumed in moderation. (Hey, what’s that?) Besides, it’s a staple in most traditional cuisines which indicates transcendent healthful properties.
My break-up with coffee was much more personal.
First of all, I was drinking too much. About 4-5 cups a day. I didn’t drink that much for the caffeine boost. In fact, some of it was caffeine-free. I just really love the flavor of coffee. I like to use it as a distraction when I’d rather to mindlessly eat.
My problem was that I wanted to return to a natural state of health and energy. I wondered if coffee truly gave me extra energy, or did it just shift my energy around, giving me extra energy at 8 am that was meant for 10 am? The constant stream of coffee in my system could block my notice of this.
Was drinking a cup of coffee akin to stealing from Peter to pay Paul?
This was important because I was taking a sleeping supplement to help with insomnia. I wanted to rid myself of that and return to my natural state. Perhaps getting rid of coffee would enable me to feel naturally energetic in the day and sleepy at night? What a concept!
A few other things about coffee bothered me too. I prefer mine with milk to cut the bitter edge, but I wanted to cut dairy out of my diet. For the past few years I have used commercial almond milk, but as its popularity has grown, I have noticed more unnatural processing. Homemade almond milk just doesn’t have the same body to work in coffee. It’s much better cold with granola.
Also, coffee plays the role of connector to sweets in my diet. It’s great with morning toast or a piece of chocolate or an afternoon pastry. I wanted to eliminate those food, so saying adios to coffee first made that easier.
I packed up my coffee maker and sent it to the garage. I promoted my blender to the counter top, at the ready for daily smoothies. I rediscovered my love of tea. I ate the healthiest diet possible, exercised, meditated, took energy boosting B vitamins and CoQ10.
Six weeks passed.
Does Coffee Really Give You Energy?
The long answer is the same as the short: YES IT DOES!
Once I was completely over withdrawals and embedded in a healthier lifestyle, I still felt an energy slump that just wouldn’t go away. I also noticed a slight depressive tinge to my mood. After a month and a half, I decided to drink a cup of coffee: instant energy and happiness.
This stuff is great!
But I don’t want to let it take over my life again. Green tea, chai and chamomile are back in my life to stay. My reservations about coffee as a connector to sweets and my dairy dilemma remain. My blender is not going to move an inch. Breakfast smoothies are the best! Coffee gets to enter my life twice a day: a morning brew and an afternoon treat. I freshly grind my coffee and use my old French press.
It tastes divine.
One of the best flavors! Just behind lemon in my book. Thanks for your comment, Amanda!
Yes, it seems crazy in retrospect, but I really wanted to know. I lived in Seattle and grew up in Spokane, WA, so I come from coffee culture too! Take care, Amber!
I wish you improved health and much coffee, Sandra. Take care!
Yes, Courtney! It was hard. But I expected different results. I suffered so you don’t have to!
I was really surprised by my results. I fully expected it to just be a rearranging of energy, but no. Coffee is AMAZING! Of course, nothing is more scientific than a mom doing an experiment on the Internet. (hee hee)
Are we soul sisters? Glad you enjoyed it! Pour yourself a cup of coffee and have a great day!
First of all, I commend you for breaking up with your coffee! I have tried and with similar results … I was irritable and low energy. I’m not as bad with it as I use to be, I’m down to 1 ish cups a day and thankfully I do like the bitter taste so I do prefer mine black, or as my mom use to call it, barefoot. I love my green tea more now and am working on adding more healthy smoothies in my day. Here’s to drinking coffee with balance! Love this post 🙂
This is so funny. For me coffee came into my life after becoming a mom.I never really understood why my mom loved (still does) her morning cup and wouldn’t actually be “her” till she had it. AHHH how quickly I have understood. For me I have one nice iced large latte a day. It my way to have my bit of me time and that push to start my day it’s my happy little time. My kids are always saying mom I bet you can’t wait till September because your Pumpkin Latte comes back..OHHH My kids know me so well! ha #ButFirstCoffee is my favorite hashtag 🙂 (and I actually wrote a post today mentioning coffee today too Ha!)
I also use a coffee grinder and a french press and I swear it makes all the difference! I love smelling the fresh ground beans. Yum! Luckily my husband doesn’t care for coffee so a french press makes just enough coffee for our household, unless I have company. Very interesting article and thanks for sharing.
I never really liked coffee, have tried several times to start drinking it (in college, with my 1st job when i still did the student parties but had to be in the office very early, and after the sleepless nights with a baby) but it´s just not for me….
I cracked up at the “hey whats that” next to “drinking coffee in moderation.” HAHA!!! I can totally relate… 4 cups a day is moderate, right!? Thanks for a great post!
You had me at coffee! I always thought that coffee=energy was in my head, but then I concluded I didn’t care if it was, I was going to keep on believing that it provided valuable energy that I couldn’t live without. This post really helped me stand firm in my convictions 🙂 Also, I need to get a french press!
How fascinating! I applaud the amount of self-discipline it must have taken to conduct this little experiment! I have to say… I’m a little relieved to hear your results 😉 Love my morning cup!
I love coffee! Thanks for sharing this post, I have often wondered if coffee really does give energy. Like you, I was addicted to large mugs of the stuff and consumed several a day but then my health took a nose dive and coffee was a big no no. I cannot wait until I feel well enough to partake of my friend again!
I came to the same conclusions after quitting coffee for three months. Never felt awake, always sluggish and simply off. Proud coffee addict.
Wow! Really interesting to read this post. I don’t actually drink coffee because I don’t like the taste. However, I am really in need of an energy boost running after two small children all day, so I’m constantly thinking to myself that I really should give it a try again! So, after reading your post, maybe I will do just that! 🙂
All that time without coffee. Oh goodness no. I try to make my last cup at lunchtime because I also have a hard time sleeping. I think it helps my alertness and also my mood. I grew up in Portland and lived in Seattle for years and we definetly love our coffee!
Nice post! I didn’t drink coffee when I was pregnant, and after about two weeks I was used to it. I have 1-2 cups a day now. The first to sort of wake me up (and this may just be part of my pattern) and the second is also to stop mindless eating.
This was so interesting! I used to never be a coffee drinker till I married my husband (who drinks it all the time)! I missed it so much while I was pregnant, and I definitely rely on it more than I like to think now. I’m with you on enjoying the taste though!
I don’t drink a lot of coffee but when I do, I just love love love it. It’s been a week or so since my last coffee purchase. I guess it helps that I don’t like the coffee I can make from home. If I were able to make a solid up of jo at home, I may be in trouble.
I truly thank you for sharing your insight on coffee. I haven’t had a cup of coffee since Lent so that was March of this year I believe or even the end of February. Never the less I’m also on a Healthy Eating a Crusade and only drink green teas. For the last two days I’ve been feeling down and very tired but when I went yo lay down I’m wTching television. So the idea of having a cup of coffee consumed my mind and that’s how I found your Blog.
Thank you for Sharing