Coffee please! - The influence of coffee on your hormones

There's nothing better than a delicious cup of coffee first thing in the morning! The aroma alone evokes so many wonderful memories and a cozy atmosphere. But let us be clear: Coffee negatively impacts your hormones, especially if you suffer from hormonal imbalances (PMS, cramps, acne, headaches, bloating, irregular cycles). In this blog post, we'll tell you what you need to know about coffee and our favorite substitutes.

Perhaps you're disappointed to hear this, or perhaps you're grateful for these insights? Please let us know!

☕️️ Caffeine stimulates insulin and the stress hormone cortisone .

According to several studies , this can negatively impact your ovulation and fertility. When our bodies experience too much stress, they suppress female hormones. Cortisol will, in effect, steal progesterone to produce more cortisol.

The result? A disrupted cycle. This can be noticeable in all sorts of ways, from severe menstrual pain to increased bleeding. Other women experience longer periods or sometimes have to wait months for their next period.

☕️️ Caffeine/coffee causes you to absorb minerals and vitamins less effectively.

It negatively impacts the absorption of B vitamins, folic acid, and magnesium. Caffeine causes the kidneys to process excess magnesium. Drinking large amounts of coffee can lead to a magnesium deficiency.

☕️ Don't drink coffee on an empty stomach!

Research shows that drinking coffee before breakfast can disrupt your blood sugar levels. Unstable blood sugar levels are an underlying cause of many menstrual symptoms. You can sometimes see an increase in your glucose levels just before and during your period, and you're more likely to experience low blood sugar in the first few days after your period. So, avoid coffee the days before or during your period to prevent symptoms.

Coffee is very acidic to the stomach and can cause reflux. If you do crave a cup of coffee in the morning, we recommend drinking at least two large glasses of water beforehand!

If you take supplements, it is important that you do not take them with coffee for optimal absorption.

☕️️ Genes determine how much coffee you can drink.

...and how quickly you break down caffeine. Caffeine is broken down in the liver with the help of the CYP1A2 enzyme (which is regulated by the CYP1A2 gene). If, like Morgane, co-founder of Guud, you get a bit jittery or anxious after a cup of coffee, you probably don't break down caffeine easily genetically, meaning it stays in your system longer. In that case, it's also advisable to see if you can replace coffee with something else.

Looking for coffee alternatives?

Ready-made substitutes

- The coffee substitute from Four Sigmatic

- Matcha from The Matcha Mates

- The blends of Aho Botanicals with adaptogens

Want to make something yourself?

Feel-Guud healing cocoa

One of our favorite recipes is Lily Roberts' raw cacao powder with maca

- 1 tbsp raw/pure cacao > Why? Feel-guud chemistry (phenylethylamine), rich in iron (deficiencies increase during your period), and magnesium, essential for the production of sleep hormones
- 1 tsp coconut oil > Why? Protects your liver during detoxification and hormone processing, fights inflammation, and helps with PMS.
- 1 tsp maca > Why? Mood and energy booster, libido enhancer, balances female hormones
- 1/2 tsp ashwagandha > Why? A potent anti-inflammatory, balances stress hormones and the nervous system
- 2/3 cup warm plant-based milk (or 50/50 coconut cream and water)
- 1 shot of warm water
- 1 tsp honey (manuka honey if you go for the deluxe version), or coconut blossom sugar

How to: Blend the milk until frothy. Dissolve the herbs in warm water and add the milk. Do this with love, so that positive energy is also released. And enjoy it, because your body will do the same! 🥰

PS. Don't have everything at home? No worries – even with cacao and coconut oil, you're being kind to your body. And be mindful of how much you drink: stick to one delicious cup a day 😉

Warm milk with dates

A delicious, heart-warming drink! What do you need?

- 1 liter of milk
- 3 Medjool dates
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- A pinch of Himalayan or gray sea salt
- A teaspoon of nutmeg
- A teaspoon of cinnamon
- Optional: orange peel

How to: Combine all ingredients (except the maple syrup) in a saucepan to heat, then blend with an immersion blender and finally add some maple syrup.

Pacha latte

Pacha is a coffee alternative made from chicory root. It's packed with inulin, a prebiotic fiber that supports healthy gut function ! What do you need to make this drink?

- 250 ml milk
- 2 teaspoons of pacha
- A pinch of vanilla powder
- Some honey or agave syrup to taste
- Cinnamon or cocoa

How to: Heat the milk, but don't let it boil. Combine half of the milk with the ingredients. Froth the other half. Pour the warm milk into a mug, add the frothed milk, and sprinkle with cinnamon or cocoa powder.