3 Common Coffee Drinking Habits Among Young People That Can Accelerate Aging and Cause Health Problems
Coffee is a wonderful beverage if consumed properly, but drinking coffee the wrong way can speed up aging and lead to various health issues.
To enjoy the benefits of coffee without harming your body, young people should adjust their coffee-drinking habits, choose quality products, and consume them scientifically.
Drink coffee the right way to stay alert while preserving your health and youthful appearance for the long term.
1. Adding Too Much Sugar and Cream to Coffee
Sweetened coffee, creamy coffee, or specialty coffee mixed with syrup, sugar, and heavy cream is very popular among young people. These sweet and creamy coffee drinks not only appeal with their taste but also provide immediate comfort.
However, adding too much sugar and cream can have long-term negative effects. The excess sugar in these coffee drinks increases calorie intake, contributing to weight gain, obesity, and a higher risk of chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes.
Moreover, excessive sugar consumption triggers a process called glycation, where sugar molecules bind to proteins in the body, particularly collagen and elastin – the two components essential for maintaining skin elasticity and youthfulness.
This process damages the skin structure, causing loss of firmness, wrinkles, and premature sagging.
To reduce harm, young people should opt for black coffee or use natural sweeteners like honey in moderation.
2. Drinking Too Much Coffee Throughout the Day
One of the most common habits among young people is drinking coffee continuously throughout the day to stay alert. Many consume 3-5 cups or even more, especially during stressful workdays.
Caffeine is a stimulant, and excessive intake increases heart rate, blood pressure, and stresses the nervous system. This puts the body into a state of chronic stress, leading to higher cortisol production – a hormone that accelerates the aging of cells.
Moreover, drinking too much coffee can disrupt sleep, even if you don't feel an immediate issue. Caffeine has a long half-life and can stay in the body for 6-8 hours, reducing the quality of deep sleep.
Lack of proper sleep or poor-quality sleep increases free radicals in the body, speeding up the aging process of the skin, causing wrinkles, and other signs of aging.
Additionally, excessive coffee consumption can cause mild dehydration, leading to dry, lifeless skin. To avoid these effects, experts recommend drinking no more than 2-3 cups of coffee per day, which equals about 200-400mg of caffeine, depending on individual tolerance.
3. Drinking Coffee at Inappropriate Times
The timing of coffee consumption also greatly impacts health, but many young people overlook this factor. Some have the habit of drinking coffee right after waking up or late at night to work longer.
However, these are not ideal times to drink coffee. Drinking coffee immediately after waking up, usually between 6-8 AM, can reduce the effectiveness of caffeine. This is because, at this time, the body naturally produces cortisol to help you stay alert.
Drinking coffee at this time not only reduces the effectiveness of caffeine but also causes the body to rely on caffeine to stay awake, leading to dependency.
Caffeine stimulates the nervous system, making it hard to fall asleep or get restful sleep. Long-term sleep deprivation increases signs of aging, such as dark circles under the eyes, dull skin, and reduced body recovery capacity.
To drink coffee the right way, you should choose a time between 9-11 AM or early afternoon, when cortisol levels drop and the body needs an energy boost.
Additionally, avoid drinking coffee at least 6 hours before bedtime to protect your sleep and overall health.
