5 Types of People Who Should Absolutely Avoid Coffee

I'll let you know about 5 types of people who should absolutely avoid drinking coffee. Apparently, even coffee, which most Koreans love, can be detrimental to the health of certain individuals. Please be aware of this information and, if you fall into any of these categories, consider avoiding coffee for your health. I'll tell you right away.

Types of People Who Should Not Drink Coffee

Coffee offers health benefits due to its rich antioxidant content. It's abundant in polyphenols, which eliminate harmful oxygen radicals, the culprits behind aging. Some even claim that it has a more potent antioxidant effect than vitamin C and vitamin E.
 
However, opinions on whether coffee is good or bad for you are divided, primarily due to caffeine. The point is that coffee isn't beneficial for everyone. Sometimes, the caffeine in coffee can play a harmful role.

1. People with GERD

The first group of people for whom coffee is harmful are those with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The caffeine in coffee stimulates acid secretion and can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, potentially exacerbating GERD symptoms. Individuals who frequently experience heartburn due to excess stomach acid should also refrain from coffee.
 
Especially, a cup of coffee as an after-meal treat can be more irritating when the stomach is already full of food, so it's best to avoid it. Beverages containing caffeine, such as green tea and black tea, are also not recommended. The best approach might be to opt for herbal tea or simply avoid drinks altogether.

2. People with Anemia

The second group is those with anemia. This is because the caffeine in coffee hinders iron absorption in the body. Several studies have already reported that coffee and other caffeinated beverages decrease iron absorption.
 
In fact, a domestic research team has reported that consuming a lot of coffee lowers the levels of a substance called ferritin in the blood. Ferritin is a protein that plays a crucial role in the process of supplying iron to our bodies. Low ferritin levels indicate that the amount of iron stored in our bodies is also low.

3. People with Diabetes

The third group is those with diabetes. This is because the caffeine in coffee affects insulin sensitivity. Some individuals may have experienced a significant rise in blood sugar levels after drinking a cup of Americano and observed that the elevated levels persisted longer.
 
For those taking medication to lower blood sugar, caffeine intake may reduce the effectiveness of the medication. Therefore, it's advisable to limit caffeine consumption, and it's best to avoid coffee and other caffeinated drinks, especially after meals.

4. Menopausal Women in Their 50s

The fourth group is menopausal women in their 50s. This is due to the increased risk of osteoporosis. You likely know that the caffeine in coffee has a diuretic effect that promotes urine excretion. However, calcium is also excreted in the urine, so you need to be cautious.
 
Furthermore, caffeine has been reported to increase bone loss and specifically heighten the risk of hip fractures. Studies have also shown that older women who consume more than 300 mg of caffeine have a higher risk of bone loss.

5. People with Cardiovascular Disease

The fifth group is people with cardiovascular disease. Caffeine stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, accelerates heart rate, and maintains a state of tension, significantly impacting blood pressure. Mix coffee, in particular, needs extra caution as it increases blood cholesterol levels.
 
Caffeine can interfere with the electrical stimulation that causes the heart to contract and relax, so individuals with arrhythmia should ideally avoid coffee as much as possible.

In Conclusion

Even for healthy individuals, it's best to keep daily caffeine intake under 400 mg. To put it simply, it's advisable not to drink more than 3 cups of coffee a day. Caffeine takes about 5 to 6 hours to take effect in our bodies and is fully eliminated within about 24 hours, so it's best to avoid coffee in the afternoon whenever possible.