Q: I drink on average up to 10 cups of coffee a day. Is this bad for me?

Caffeine is the world's most commonly used stimulant. There is no denying that a cup of caffeinated coffee in the morning can give you the energy boost you need to start your day, but drinking too much caffeinated coffee can lead to caffeine dependency.

Caffeine is a stimulant and, like a drug, it can be addictive. Once you have developed a dependency, your body will crave it. The problem with this is that, after a while, consuming too much caffeine on a regular basis can cause problems such as insomnia, irritability, rapid heartbeat, muscle tremors and anxiety. Coffee overworks the adrenal glands and adversely affects sports performance and may also interfere with some medications for pain, depression, hypertension and obesity as well as cauding dehydration.

Drinking an odd cup of coffee every now and then will not harm you. Ten cups a day, however, is definitely not good for you. You need to either severely cut down or give it up entirely. However giving up suddenly is not to be advised, as the side effects of caffeine withdrawal can range from uncomfortable to debilitating. People often experience lasting headaches, palpitations, indigestion including heartburn, hyper acidity, diarrhoea, shaking hands, tiredness, depression, or anxiety. People who are reducing caffeine often report irritability and inability to work. Quitting cold turkey is not the answer.

Reduce your intake gradually over a week or so, as this will make withdrawal symptoms so much more bearable. Drinking other hot beverages, such as herbal tea or drinks made from cereal, can be a relaxing alternative. However, some brands of decaffeinated coffee still contain some caffeine. It depends a lot on the type of bean used and the way in which the bean has been decaffeinated. Make sure to drink plenty of water to help eliminate the toxins that have built up in your body and take regular exercise to try to stimulate natural energy boosts.

Always consult your GP before starting any new regime or self-treatment. The contents of this article are for information purposes only and are not intended to prevent, diagnose or cure any medical conditions. If you would like a question covered, contact The Clinic of Complementary and Natural Medicine, Kiltartan House, Forster St., Galway on 091- 568804. Dr H Bhatti is the President of the Association of Naturopathic Practitioners and can be contacted at his clinics at Kiltartan House, Forster Street, Galway on 091-568804 or at The Village Nursing Care Centre, Ballygarriff, Craughwell on 091-777700.

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