Caffeine

Hello,

I am interested in how it is with decaffeinated coffee. There are conflicting claims where some people assert that it does contain caffeine while others say it does not... Could you tell me which opinion you lean towards? If it contains a certain amount of caffeine, can drinking decaffeinated coffee also become an "addiction"?

Thank you.

Even decaffeinated coffee contains a small percentage of caffeine (approximately equivalent to 3-5% of the original content) - this is not an opinion, but a fact based on the technologies used to produce decaffeinated coffee. Consuming such coffee does not cause caffeine addiction, as its content is too low for that. However, it is a fact that caffeine is not the only stimulating substance, and some of them remain in the product in certain amounts even after the decaffeination process. A certain form of dependency might be discussed in situations where a high number of cups of such coffee are consumed daily (e.g., 10 or more).

Hello,
is guarana also suitable before exercise like coffee? Does it increase cortisol levels like coffee?

Guarana has the same stimulating effects as coffee because it contains caffeine. However, caffeine is bound to guaranosides, which influence its metabolism process. Therefore, it is more suitable to consume guarana with a longer interval before exertion than coffee (approximately 30 - 50 minutes).

Good day,
I would like to ask for details regarding the negative effects of ginseng. Unfortunately, I managed to combine it with caffeine before I learned about them. The result was high blood pressure, increased heart rate, insomnia,... Are similar impacts true for a combination with theine or mateine, or potentially B complex vitamins? Fear prevents me from testing it on myself. I am generally very sensitive to stimulants. Coffee later than three o'clock in the afternoon means almost an entire night without sleep for me. Could there be any connection with this intolerance? And if I experienced such effects, wouldn't it be better to avoid ginseng altogether?
Thank you for your response.

The effect of individual substances on a person's metabolism and overall behavior depends on many factors, one of which is the level of sensitivity (= the way the effect of the substance is perceived). If you know that you are more sensitive to stimulatory substances, it is unwise to use them in higher amounts while simultaneously trying to enhance their effects by combining them with others. In such cases, I would definitely avoid any sources of caffeine and focus attention on one selected adaptogen. Keep in mind that the goal is to support vitality while also striving to avoid overdosing, which manifests through a range of unpleasant symptoms.

The combination of adaptogens and B-complex vitamins is safe, but always use only natural sources of B-complex and avoid unnecessarily high doses.

Hello,

I would like to inquire about the connection between the consumption of artificial sweeteners with coffee. Could it be assumed that the glycemic peak, along with caffeine, will increase due to faster absorption despite their lower glycemic index? Is it therefore reasonable to limit coffee consumption in clients with prediabetes, despite its benefits, to reduce the burden on the pancreas and to normalize the value of glycated hemoglobin, i.e., the three-month average blood sugar level, more quickly?

When it comes to low-calorie sweeteners (which practically includes all of them), there is no risk of excessive blood glucose increase, even when combined with coffee.

There can be a debate about whether coffee is beneficial to health, as the health benefits often associated with it are mostly related to a healthy population. Meanwhile, in individuals with metabolic disorders, its side effects are shown to affect health to a much greater extent. Additionally, it is necessary to consider individual differences, as caffeine metabolism is primarily driven by genetics, influencing the overall impact of coffee consumption on each of us.

For diabetics, I do not advocate the use of artificial sweeteners not only because they are unnecessary (= sweeteners are not essential), but also because they are counterproductive in their nature. If you want to make exceptions, use sources of inulin (e.g., chicory syrup), which also function as a prebiotic.

Hello,
I wanted to ask about the opinion on the steeping time of tea mentioned earlier in the discussion:
"Generally speaking, the longer the steeping time, the higher the caffeine content in the tea."
I have encountered the opposite opinion regarding black tea (I'm not sure if it applies to green tea as well), which is that the longer it is steeped from 4 to 5 minutes, tannins are released that specifically neutralize the effect of caffeine, and the tea then has calming effects. So how is it, please? If we want to reduce caffeine, should we steep the tea for a short time, or on the contrary, for a longer 4-5 minutes?
Thank you.

The longer you steep the herb, the more substances are released into the liquid; this is a general rule. The fact is that with the duration of steeping tea leaves, not only caffeine is released into the water but also tannins, which do not neutralize the effects of caffeine but complicate its release in the body. This means that the tea will contain a lot of caffeine and tannins, and due to the presence of tannins, caffeine will be absorbed more slowly in the digestive tract, making its effects in the body more gradual and long-lasting (on the order of hours). When preparing tea, it is up to you which method you prefer concerning the goal you aim to achieve by consuming the tea.

Hello,

I would like to ask about the safe amount of caffeine during pregnancy. I've read that 200 mg of caffeine is recommended. I've been drinking green Matcha tea for some time now. I am currently in the first trimester and am considering whether I can safely drink my cup of tea (2g Matcha) daily.

Thank you very much for your advice.

With caffeine intake, it is more complex - it is a stimulant whose effect depends on the functioning of the receptors to which it binds. Each person exhibits a different level of sensitivity, and a daily dose of 300 mg is considered safe for healthy adults (equivalent to 5-8 small cups). The problem is that a significant portion of the population shows side effects of coffee at doses around 50 - 80 mg, for whom the recommended amounts are unattainable. For pregnant women, there is a risk of increased stress reactions in the child, making it safer to completely avoid coffee during pregnancy (as well as alcohol).

Hello,
I am curious if you know about the administration of caffeine in countries like Argentina - although it's not specifically coffee, it is reportedly so common to consume Maté there that they give it even to small children. If that's the case, what consequences might it have for children, including toddlers?
Thank you very much.

Caffeine in its pure form is quickly metabolized and is typically associated with commonly presented side effects. Its binding to phytochemical compounds in plants mitigates these properties, varying to different extents with each herb. However, it is always a mixture that has stimulating effects, making the consumption of such products unsuitable for children. The fact is that in some "developing" countries, traditions have a strong influence, and modern insights are sometimes disregarded (a typical example is the chewing of coca leaves, although compared to this, maca is a much milder alternative). The impact of these substances on the child's body is predominantly negative, particularly concerning the development of their nervous system.

Hello.
We know that coffee generally does not benefit our health, but I would like to ask your opinion on the caffeine contained in coffee as a fat burner (many people have the notion that the best fat burner is a good strong Turkish coffee in the morning on an empty stomach :-) ).
Thank you in advance for your response.

Caffeine does not function as a direct fat burner; its effect is indirect—it stimulates the activity of the autonomic nervous system, through which metabolic processes are accelerated. If physical activity is part of the weight reduction process, the likelihood that the entire process will proceed somewhat faster increases. However, do not expect any miracles in this regard, and consider the risk that caffeine may not work equally for every individual. With dietary supplements (fat burners), also take into account the caffeine doses contained, which are often many times higher than those in coffee in a single serving, leading to potential overdosing effects.

Consuming coffee on an empty stomach in the morning is not entirely a wise decision—the substances produced when coffee is over-roasted can irritate the mucous membrane of the digestive tract, and caffeine is absorbed quickly, increasing the body's stress responses.