Eliminating caffeine

I feel much better and calmer when I eliminate caffeine, but it is a very hard habit to kick, so I think moderation is key. I think the rewards from eliminating it are certainly worth it, and the energy feels natural. Withdrawal can be hell though, because it works the opiate receptors like certain addictive drugs do.

For those with past adrenal/cortisol issues, it can be problematic since it works the HPA axis. I suspect my heightened response to it is related to my past prednisone courses, which messed with my adrenal glands.

I've been eliminating caffeine and sugar in my tea/coffee for several months, no difference in my UC but better for IBS and morning urgency. Coffee is much worse for my gut, probably something in addition to the caffeine, maybe the acidity.

When my brain needs a little boost I add a few green tea leaves in with the caffeine free green tea but don't let it steep too long. Less caffeine, less symptoms, happier brain. Sometimes I'll make half-caff coffee using high quality coffee (Newmans Own is what my gut likes, caff and decaf).

It sucks that major studies show that coffee is very healthy and reduces cancer probability as well as other diseases and my gut does not want it, silly gut. Gut rules my life and I must obey or suffer the consequences.

I went through many long periods of not drinking coffee while flaring and never noticed any improvements....I am now in IBD remission but tending to IBS mainly C and stopped drinking coffee again to see if that would make any difference for my IBD but I still have frequency with or without coffee so I only have it occasionally now rather than daily mainly because I don't crave it daily like I used to and still no difference for my IBS either.

imagardener2 said...
Guardian7 said: It is possible in theory to get the same benefits from decaf, though I am not sure if the processing methods mess up the beans.

When flaring worst my gut hated almost all decaf coffee and yes I think it is due to the chemical process to de-caff it. The only decaf my gut tolerated (and I tried about 6 different kinds) was/is Newman's Own Special Decaf.

Interesting. Will keep that brand in mind. Thanks for sharing.

I have had to stop drinking coffee as I have recently discovered that it doesn't agree with me at all! I couldn't figure out why my stomach kept ballooning up after my breakfast, and through careful monitoring of everything I was eating I found it to be coffee. I sometimes feel like I am being tested, it seems like everything that gives me pleasure is being taken away from me, yes I know this sounds dramatic, but I am not just referring to coffee. I did a bit of research and found out something very very interesting, and if you are gluten intolerant you might want to read this.

Here is an extract from the link which I have posted below.

"In a nutshell, fairly recent lab research has revealed that 10% of coffee is a protein that cross reacts with gluten antibodies.
This means that if you are gluten sensitive or celiac and are avoiding gluten containing grains or perhaps have even gone completely grain free, if you still drink coffee there is a strong likelihood that the protein in the coffee is triggering the very same gluten related health problems you are trying to avoid.
In other words, even if you think you are doing fine with your current gluten free diet, it is very possible that skipping the coffee could take your health to the next level"

Here is the link to the article.

http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/gluten-issues-or-celiac-dont-drink-coffee/

I saw my dietitian yesterday, she's going to have me do the FODMAP diet for 4-6 weeks (not starting until April 6) and espresso coffee is on the allowed list, I don't typically drink it often but it's nice to know I can have it at least, regular coffee wasn't noted on the sheet she gave me.

In a way I'm excited to do the FODMAP and for obvious reasons in a way I'm not cuz generally I'm not good with change but at the same time if the changes make me feel normal with my IBS (and aid me during any future IBD flares as well-which is the type of diet she's setting me up for, to aid with my CD flares in the future) then it'll be worth the changes.

kiwi wrote: "Coffee in the morning ensures I can empty the tank before heading to work. Without it I'm less able to predict my mornings."

And I agree with kiwi 100,000%! That's why coffee is my friend!

I have recently stopped drinking coffee. It kills me to do it but yes like many have said it upsets my guts, especially while flaring. I would at least like to drink caffeinated tea, but I am also giving that a break as well. I am in the middle of a flare so I think it's a good choice to stop, once out of the flare I would love to start again, but maybe I'm dreaming, we'll see. Coffee withdrawal sucks.

Went off coffee and all caffeine for over a month some years ago.

No effect on my UC.

Old Mike

Hope you get relief with the Low Fodmap diet, pb4. It's not restrictive like some UC diets. It allows white potatoes and grains like oats.

Thanks isleman,

I noted there are a ton of foods I have to choose from but it's a lot of cooking on my part which I'm not use to much anymore since kids are both grown and out of the house but even cooking for hubby won't be too bad since he works out of town now...though I do go out of town with him on occasion so I'll just have to cook different for him and "the boy's" when I'm there and thankfully some of my restrictions are hopefully going to be temporary. Dietitian will help me figure it all out when we do re-introductions of foods/spices etc that I normally eat.

What do you mean haven't had a good bm yet?
q