If you enjoy your coffee with sugar, it may be time to rethink your choices. While the beverage gives you a temporary energy boost and elevates your mood, it does more harm than good to your body.
Dr Sanjay Bhojraj, a cardiologist with decades of experience, took to Instagram to share how sugar and caffeine addiction goes beyond just energy crashes. “Sugar and caffeine dependency drives your body into cycles of stress and inflammation that age you faster than you realise,” he said.
Harmful effects of sugar and caffeine addiction
Dr. Bhojraj discussed what happens when your body begins to depend on sugar and caffeine
• Blood sugar spikes inflame and scar your arteries, laying the groundwork for cardiovascular disease long before symptoms appear.
• Chronic stimulation from caffeine keeps your nervous system locked in “fight-or-flight,” elevating cortisol and blood pressure while stealing the recovery your body desperately needs.
• The combination disrupts sleep, destabilises energy, and accelerates biological aging — even in people who otherwise “look healthy.”
A post shared by Sanjay Bhojraj MD | Functional Medicine Doctor (@doctorsanjaymd)View this post on Instagram
How to cure your dependency
The cardiologist added that it is not an uphill task to get rid of sugar and caffeine dependency. In fact, once you overcome it, you can begin to see improvements within just a few months.
“I’ve seen patients break free from these cycles and within just 12 weeks, their blood pressure drops, their sleep deepens, and their lab markers move in the right direction. Your cravings aren’t weaknesses. They’re signals. Signals that your body is running on the wrong fuel. And the good news is: you can change it.”
Some of the ways to overcome your addiction include focusing on a balanced diet.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, it is best to have five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, along with protein and high-fibre foods to stabilise blood sugar levels. Eating regular, timely meals also helps curb the desire to munch on sweets or processed foods. As the saying goes, physical movement, whether yoga, walking, or workouts, benefits both body and mind. It helps reduce stress, which often leads to sugar and caffeine addiction in the first place. Plenty of sleep and water also serve as simple and effective ways to maintain balance.
FAQs on caffeine and ageing:
Q: Does caffeine accelerate ageing?
A: Yes, chronic caffeine consumption can keep your nervous system in a constant state of "fight-or-flight," leading to elevated cortisol and blood pressure, which can accelerate biological ageing.
Q: How does caffeine affect sleep and energy levels?
A: Caffeine disrupts sleep and destabilises energy levels, which contributes to faster ageing, even in individuals who otherwise appear healthy.
Q: Can quitting caffeine improve my health?
A: Yes, breaking free from caffeine dependency can lead to improvements in blood pressure, sleep quality, and overall lab markers within a few months.
Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for a specific health diagnosis.
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