A social media manager and influencer who stopped drinking caffeinated drinks in March to help ease anxiety has since shared her experience on TikTok.
“I quit caffeine because I realized it was making my anxiety worse,” said Kylie Ohlsson, 20, from Salt Lake City.
Olson said. newsweek She reportedly drank no more than two caffeinated drinks a day. The National Coffee Association reported in 2022 that Americans drink about 517 million cups of coffee every day, and the stimulating drink is growing in popularity among 18- to 24-year-olds.
Olson said she noticed some side effects, including eye twitching and intestinal problems, and felt she had no choice but to eliminate caffeine from her diet.
“After quitting caffeine, I woke up with more energy and didn’t feel the need to drink coffee first thing in the morning,” says Ohlsson. “I can concentrate better and feel more comfortable throughout the day.”
TikTok/@kylieann.n
“I had constant eye twitching and was always irritable,” Olson said of the effect caffeine had on her. “In addition to the anxiety, I noticed intestinal issues, including increased inflammation, acne, and premenstrual syndrome symptoms such as mood swings and cramps, even if I hydrated or ate before taking it.”
She added, “I wanted to feel and look my healthiest, so I decided to see how I felt without caffeine.” .
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, coffee has numerous benefits, including boosting energy and preventing serious illnesses such as Parkinson’s disease and heart failure. But for people with anxiety, that’s not the best option.
Amy Burch, registered dietitian, said: newsweek About the relationship between coffee and anxiety.
“It’s important to remember that caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant and in high doses can increase heart rate and blood pressure, causing palpitations,” says Birch, who lives in Zurich. Told.
“For people who already have anxiety, adding things that make anxiety symptoms (such as palpitations or increased heart rate) worse will only make the symptoms worse,” she continued.
In a TikTok video that has received more than 101,000 views and 12,000 likes, Olson said that she was “healed” by quitting caffeine. She added that she is in a better place mentally and that her skin has “never been so clear and so glowing.”
she said newsweek: “I’m a drinker. I love waking up in the morning and drinking coffee or juice. The hardest part of quitting caffeine was losing the habit.”
According to the CDC, it’s okay to drink three to five cups of plain coffee as part of a healthy diet. Olson said he has replaced coffee with water containing electrolytes, but doesn’t rule out the possibility that the odd latte could be used as a “snack.”
“I also tell myself that everything is important in moderation.I still love coffee, so when I want to drink coffee, I choose decaf.However, since March, I have been treating myself to two cups of latte. I’m drinking.”
“Overall my mental state has improved and I no longer struggle with severe anxiety. Of course I have my days, but when I do feel anxious, I feel more in control and deal with them much more easily. Ta.”
In the comments section of the video, TikTok users shared their experiences quitting caffeine or cutting back on their intake.
One user wrote: “I stopped drinking caffeine on an empty stomach (which I knew was bad for me) and it really reduced my anxiety.”
“Hmm, I want to be grumpy without caffeine but I can’t,” another added.
A commenter said: “I did the same thing!!! The caffeine made me so anxious.” [and] When I cut it, it healed quite a bit. ”
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom, finding common ground and finding connections.
