Places Pointer: What are the benefits of going caffeine-free?

Caffeine is one of the most popular stimulants we can get our hands on. It’s mainly found in chocolate, energy drinks, fizzy drinks, energy bars, coffee, and tea. You may even be reading this blog while having your much-loved morning brew!

Whether caffeine helps you get out of bed in the morning, or it gives you an extra push during your workout, it’s an easy go-to that can make us feel more awake, focused, and alert. Some research even shows that caffeine can protect your liver, help your body process glucose better, and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's.

Others find that caffeinated products make them slightly jittery and anxious. People also report having an increased heart rate, raised blood pressure, and trouble sleeping, especially if they had caffeine products later in the day.

Because of this, many people are finding ways to reduce their caffeine intake, with some people aiming to go caffeine-free. Here are a few benefits that this can bring:

Decreased anxiety

As much as we’d like it to, sometimes a morning coffee doesn’t start our day in the best way. Caffeine ramps up the activity in our brains, so much so that it has been linked to feelings of anxiety and nervousness. Regular caffeine consumption can amplify this further, particularly if you have frequent feelings of anxiety without caffeine. By reducing your caffeine intake, or not having caffeinated products at all, the caffeine jitters should subside too!

Better nutrient absorption

With the small dehydrating effect that caffeine can have, it can cause vitamins and minerals from food to be flushed out before our bodies have the chance to fully absorb them. Swapping caffeinated food or drink from time to time for more nutrient-dense options can help here, as well as keeping our bodies hydrated, as some vitamins and minerals are water-soluble.

Deeper sleep

A caffeine-heavy energy drink may seem like a great idea before your afternoon workout class, but consuming caffeine later in the day can result in difficulty falling asleep and a lack of deep sleep. Studies have shown that even if you consume caffeine six hours before bed, it can still reduce sleep by more than an hour! Opting to have any caffeinated products much earlier in your day is best, as caffeine can take around 10 hours to clear from your bloodstream!

If you’re thinking of slowing down on your caffeine intake, there are some alternatives to caffeine - some of which provide even more benefits. One example is chai tea (a type of black tea) which studies suggest can improve mental alertness despite it containing less caffeine than coffee. Another is lemon water, it contains antioxidants (caffeine is also known to have antioxidant effects) and can keep you more hydrated than caffeinated products.

This is not to say that caffeine is unhealthy, having small amounts of it can provide some health benefits. A person’s response to caffeinated food and drinks depends on their tolerance, so we recommend that caffeine is best enjoyed in moderation! If you have large amounts of caffeine regularly and you’re thinking about going caffeine-free, be sure to reduce your intake slowly over the first couple of weeks so that your body and mind can adjust to the smaller amounts.

Sources: 9 Reasons Why (the Right Amount of) Coffee Is Good for You (John Hopkins Medicine) | Caffeine Effects on Sleep Taken 0, 3, or 6 Hours before Going to Bed (Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine) | 9 Alternatives to Coffee (And Why You Should Try Them) (Healthline) | 11 Benefits of Going Caffeine-Free (Everyday Health)