I drink homemade Dandelion Root Coffee many times per week. Every time I happen to mention this, or post a photo of my morning joe on Instagram I get the same questions, “Why give up coffee? What’s wrong with coffee? Why do you use a coffee substitute?”
Of course, giving up coffee is not for everyone. It’s what works best for me and my nervous system. If coffee agrees with you I see no reason to give it up. But take a minute and ask yourself. Do I use coffee as a crutch to keep going, or to get started when I have no energy? Is it keeping me from listening to and understanding my natural rhythms, and more importantly, does it enable me to be incongruent about the fatigue I feel? This was the case for me.
I gave up coffee back in 1993. I remember the weekend well. I lived in New York City and there was a huge snowstorm. The city was shut down. My boyfriend (now husband) and I spent the weekend lying on the couch in his apartment on 34th Street. I think I had a headache for three days straight from caffeine withdrawal.
It’s been over two decades now since I gave up my coffee habit. Why? For me, caffeine acts as a stimulant. I naturally have a very active nervous system that doesn’t need any extra energy. I do best with inputs that are relaxing –think slow walking, gentle stretching, reading, and sleep. Those activities calm me down and keep me more even-keeled. Not that I’ve ever been even-keeled, but with coffee, I behave like a hamster and just can’t get off that crazy hamster wheel of “doing.” I’m best when I focus on “being.”
In case you’re contemplating it, here are 5 Reasons to Give Up Coffee
5 Reasons to Give Up Coffee
1. Sleep Better
Even when consumed in the morning, caffeine can disrupt sleep patterns.
2. Decrease Anxiety
Many people respond to stimulants such as caffeine with an increase in anxiety.
3. Lose Weight
Caffeine can decrease insulin sensitivity, leading to weight gain.
4. Save Caffeine for Medicinal Purposes
When not used on a daily basis, caffeine can restrict blood vessels and relieve a headache.
5. Avoid Heartburn and Acid Reflux or GERD
Caffeine aggravates heartburn, acid reflux, and GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).
There is one exception when I do use caffeine (not coffee though). When I have a headache I use it medicinally in the form of green tea. Green tea is a fantastic “medication” for me as it contains both small amounts of caffeine (a vaso-constrictor which can be instrumental in the relief of headaches) as well as an amino acid called L-Theanine, which I find makes me quite relaxed. Together this minute amount of caffeine combined with L-Theanine provides optimal headache relief. According to Wikipedia, l-Theanine, “has been studied for its potential ability to reduce mental and physical stress, improve cognition, and boost mood and cognitive performance.” Sounds good to me. And my doctors love this amino acid!
Free exclusive eBook, plus recipes and health tips, delivered to your inbox.
I have replaced my coffee habit with Dandelion Root Coffee which has many amazing attributes. Although it doesn’t taste as good as the real thing, it is fabulous in other ways. First, it has no caffeine, a huge win. Additionally, like coffee, it’s a hot beverage, making it easier to assimilate than cold drinks. Next, like regular coffee, Dandelion Root Coffee’s primary flavor is bitter, which is highly underrated. In Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine the bitter flavor is incredibly important for constitutional balance. We don’t get enough of it in our culture, one that is obsessed with the sweet and salty flavors. Finally, dandelion root is a liver cleanser. For me, giving up caffeine and getting healthy, liver cleansing dandelion root into my body every day is a win-win!
Finally, I’m often asked about Dandy Blend and other such coffee substitutes. Because most of them contain barley in their ingredients, I do not consume them. Instead I make my own Dandelion Root Coffee out of dandelion root and chicory.
Mimi says
Thank you for this! After 6 years without coffee, I started again last month due to fatigue (I have a teething toddler and lots of work deadlines) but I swear, it’s led to increased appetite and weight gain and crazy cravings for more caffeine/sugar/chocolate, even though I’ve been getting more sleep recently.
Elese says
Thanks Elana for the great post. I’ve been on and off coffee lots of times, and when I’m off my energy is always so much more stable, and coffee always messes with my gut, but it’s just so darn tasty I somehow always go back to it! Time to wean back off, I always feel so much better off coffee. Thanks for the reminder!
Nancy says
I gave up coffee many years ago to do homeopathics seriously. I will have to give this drink a try!
Kathryn Chastain Treat says
Coffee also is an issue if you have mold sensitivities. Just thought I would throw that out there.
klothklicker says
Oh my gosh, I do! Maybe that was contributing to my reaction to coffee. Long live peppermint tea!
Rafi'ah says
Another perspective which I have found to be true for myself…though we are all different.some of the benefits.
-Caffeinated coffee cuts mouth and throat cancer risk by 50%.
-Coffee can reduce risk of stroke as much as 22%.
-Shown to reduce the risk of several types of cancer.
-Heart rhythm disturbance hospitalizations decrease with coffee drinkers.
-Coffee decreases risk of type 2 diabetes.
http://www.caffeineinformer.com/top-10-caffeine-health-benefits
LaVonne says
I gave up coffee for a few months, but found I did not notice a difference in how I felt. And I really missed the coffee experience in the morning (tasty, warm, filling). Now I do a combo of roasted dandelion root, roasted chicory root (both ground and ordered in bulk from Frontier) and coffee. For me, it’s the perfect combination along with a little steamed almond milk!
Jo Zimny says
I don’t want to give it up either, but I don’t drink much as it is, maybe a few cups a week. I drink Longevity Coffee, it’s a low acid coffee, that’s the reason I stopped drinking it in the first place, the acid, but now I can drink it again. I get a buzz and it wears off without the crash, this stuff is great. You can get it at Longevity Warehouse. Mind you its very expensive so we aren’t over indulgent with it.
Melissa says
Thanks for the tip. I also stopped drinking coffee due to the acidity. So I will try this and see if it’s different and load it with milk or something.
Diana Grapes says
What about the issue of mold in coffee beans??
Deb says
Hi Elana,
Thanks for another informative post. I didn’t realize that coffee could mess up my insulin sensitivity and thus my weight. I love my coffee, but you’ve got me wondering if the pleasire is worth the pain of weight gain and possible sleep loss.
Loved the photo too.
Deb
Kathleen Casey says
Thank you for the reminder. I don’t think caffeine is great for me either. I do, however, note the studies that say it significantly reduces the chances of cognitive decline late in life, a big concern of mine. Also, dandelion root is supposed to be quite a potent liver detoxifier, not good to use on an indefinite daily basis, depending on whom you ask, though it is quite tasty. But I know caffeinated coffee in the morning keeps me awake at night, and it strains the adrenals, so I only have a cup of tea in the morning now.