Though many women experience a wonderful sense of warmth and pleasure over a hot cup of coffee or tea, high consumption of caffeine can have a negative effect on women, especially women who are going through menopause. It can aggravate the many symptoms of menopause like hot flashes, sleep deprivation, vaginal dryness and anxiety.
The consumption of caffeine has a direct effect on the overall health of a woman. Caffeine containing beverages can cause cortisol, an important hormone in the body, to increase causing the same type of symptoms as stress.2 It can increase the heart rate, metabolic rate and blood flow and has an effect on the absorption and excretion of minerals such as magnesium, iron, potassium and calcium.1,2
• Magnesium is vital for the normal functioning of the body such as metabolism of energy, healthy functioning of the heart, glucose utilization, and proper hormone balance.3
• Iron is the key nutrient for the production of red blood cells. Red blood cells deliver oxygen from our lungs to our brain, muscles and other tissues giving your body energy and your skin a healthy color.4 Iron deficiency anemia may leave you tired, weak and pale.
• Calcium is needed to build strong bones and prevent osteoporosis.1 It is important for maintaining healthy functions of the nervous system and the heart.3
• Potassium helps protect you against heart disease, hypoglycemia, diabetes, obesity and kidney disease. It helps keep muscles strong, bowels regular and works to eliminate irritability, confusion and stress.5
A Caffeinated beverage often time adds a physical and psychological comfort to ones day. Unfortunately the consumption of too much caffeine can lead to the heightened negative symptoms of menopause.2 Reducing caffeine or removing it from ones diet may have a noticeable impact on whether or not there are extreme menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, sleepless nights, and anxiety along with the risks of bone loss and heart issues.
1 Bella Online the Voice of Women. Menopause and Caffeine by Sharon Bejin. http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art53346.asp. Viewed on October 29, 2009.
2 Menopause A to Z. Menopause and Caffeine by Dawn M. Olsen. http://www.menopauseatoz.com/menopause-and-caffeine.shtml Viewed on October 29, 2009.
3 Now Public Crowd Powered Media. http://www.nowpublic.com/health/5-ways-caffeine-makes-menopause-worse.com 5 Ways Caffeine Makes Menopause Worse. Viewed on October 29, 2009.
4 Iron needs before and after menopause. Friend Indeed, A, Sep/Oct 2004 by Susan Osher. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa470/is200409/ai_n9435853/ Viewed on November 5, 2009
5 Inspirations Personal Training. P. Potassium and Fitness Go Hand in Hand! By Cindy Brotheraton CFF. http://www.busywomensfitness.com/potassium.html Viewed on November 5, 2009.