Why I quit coffee
The problems
The first problem is that caffeine is clearly very addictive. I’ve recently been drinking up to 8 cups a day. I don’t like to be addicted like that.
The second problem? Caffeine messes with your brain. After a while you need it to stay focused and energetic. As soon as levels of caffeine drop you’ll feel worse. And the mornings? They are way slower than they could be.
The third thing is that caffeine releases stress hormones, that raise insulin and glucose levels, especially after meals. It could potentially be bad for weight loss.
Quitting
So nine days ago I had my last cup of coffee. From eight to zero cups a day, just like that. What happened?
Wish I could say it has been easy, but it’s been a miserable experience. For a number of days I had to take painkillers to be able to sleep and work. Not just for headache but for a weird and intense muscle ache in my legs (apparently this can happen).
Also the motivation. just. disappeared. It was replaced by brain fog and irritability.
I’ve replaced the coffee with naturally caffeine-free tea. Not too bad.
Feeling better
I’m feeling much better again this week, but apparently it can take 2-3 weeks to be fully back to normal. I’m looking forward to being able to get started right away in the morning and not have to wait for the coffee to kick in. I hope to feel sharp during the entire day.
And the weight? I’m happy with my weight already, but it will be interesting to see if anything changes. So far my experience is I’m low on “reward” and feel the urge to eat more, to try to feel better. I expect that will pass. But so far the weight is not going down, it’s stable at best.
I’ll write another blog post when I know the end result. But so far I’m happy with quitting.
Have you tried quitting? What happened? Feel free to leave a comment below.
More
Here’s another low-carb doctor who just recently quit coffee:
Dr. Adam Nally: Caffeine . . . Weight Loss Wonder Boy or Sneaky Scoundrel?
And here’s a video interview from this summer with the doctor who initially got me interested in quitting coffee. I actually tried to quit right away back then, but failed:

By the way I was listening to Tim Ferriss podcast interview with Jamie Foxx (very interesting man) this morning. Turns out they’ve both quit coffee, due to the negative effects of caffeine. Seems like a trend…
Another common addiction

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95 comments
For the OP's own sake, it's a good thing to detox yourself now, because it's apparent, you have an addictive personality. I wonder if you smoke cigarettes or have other habits you'd like to quit.
There are lots of beautiful, deep, rounded tasting blends of ground decaff coffee my favourite being 'Taylors of Harrogate -Decaffe, Strength 4'
Made in an Aerobie Areopress - without doubt the singular best ground coffee maker there is - makes for an enjoyable caffeine free coffee.
Minimal side effects when I gave up, mild sleep problems for a few days but concentration has improved to better than pre-caffeine levels now, same for energy & alertness
Then why are you here commenting? Why not just leave those of us who appreciate his work in peace... just go. No need to leave your negativity all over the place. I am happy to pay this hard-working man the small fee he charges for his information. And I have deep respect for him. As for you? None whatsoever.
You do realize that Dr. Andreas is in Sweden? I doubt he has ever even had weak American coffee. Please do some research before you reply next time.
One thing that I have learned doing LCHF - everyone is different. The physiology behind LCHF makes total sense, but to some extent, tweaking it and making it work for you is experimental. Read all the studies you want, but unless there's a study with you and bunch of your clones, it's all experimental.
I now cook it thoroughly and enjoy it much more.
I can't believe I allowed myself to tolerate this stuff for so long.
.............GREAT SITE, DR. ANDREAS.
I did not feel any more amazing than I did with the coffee.
I noticed no change whatsoever, absolutely no change.
But the thing is, I my coffee consumption tends to be very stable 4-6 cups (cup = 1,5 deciliters) per day, theres no urge to increase the amount I drink. I understand that if there's a trend of increasing dosage or clear mood effects etc. it might be beneficial to quit.
PS - Great website! One of the most comprehensive LCHF sites I have found. Have done the whole "diet" testing with ill effects on my body and soul...now working to be totally LCHF!
I just wanted to say "THANK YOU" for the message that you have/are quitting coffee (as I know from experience it doesn't happen overnight).
I know beyond shadow of a doubt that I am not supposed to be drinking coffee. (regardless of any study for or against it) I've known for 15 years. It's the only vice I have not beaten. I have quit several times over the years, but always go back. The physical addiction (headaches etc) end rapidly for me (just a couple of days) even though I also drink 5-8 cups of seriously stout, always freshly ground coffee, but the emotional and habitual actions of having the coffee last, seemingly, forever (for as long as I can endure anyway before returning back to it)
I could go on and on about it, but that's not the point of my response to your notification.
The point was to say "Thank you" You just helped kick me in the pants to do what I am supposed to do. I wish you the best of success. Please wish me the same back as I have never conquered this devil before and it's way beyond the time to do so....way beyond....I am so late
elle
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The "studies" on coffee are all over the place (with only one significant variable, as usual -- money). Some say it's good, some say it's evil. So far, I've seen about a dozen n=1 studies (apart from my own) of coffee from LCHF folks, and they are also all over the place. So pardon me if I don't just bow down and worship any of these pronouncements. Or as the folks in the alt.sci.nutrition group are fond of saying: "The plural of anecdote is *not* data."
At first, I enjoyed the effect. But the downsides started to get to me. Most notably, if I tried to quit for even a day, I would get horrible headaches and nausea which were inevitably followed by fierce vomiting. Also my stomach started hurting at times when I had never in my life had stomach problems, so i thought i was getting an ulcer. I had a general impression of stomach bloating. Finally, I was also having heartbeat irregularity problems, even occasional attacks of dizziness.
Last week I quit. I took DLPA so I think that helped somewhat. Even trying to "come down" or "back off" with just a single espresso hit in the late morning, by afternoon i was so nauseous i was unable to drive, and vomited my lunch like a banshee. A couple days later, the whole afternoon was a complete migraine headache. I needed bed rest for a couple of afternoons.
However, I am totally OK now and enjoying life once again.
If there is evidence of coffee's benefits in mainstream media, one could easily see how such research could be shepherded and sponsored behind the scenes by big coffee companies. After all, coffee and banana plantations were considered valuable enough for the CIA to send in death squads to overthrow democratic governments in Central America. There is more than a little vested interest there.
Sorry for my english. I just want to share my small experience, I follow the LCHF since august.
I was so sad, I had to quit my 5 fat coffees per day. The thing is I love coffee but caffeine does not love me ! It gives me terrible nocturn cramps no matter salt intake or bone broth. I also tried to replace it with tea and mate and the same cramps returned.
It seems that I am caffeine intolerant. Now I drink rooibos and have no cramps anymore.
Coffee is good for a lot of people, I have friends who can drink up to 10 cups a day without having any problems. For me it is like poison. One food can be good for you but can be dangerous for another people. I also love dairy but am allergic to it too so LCHF is a challenge to me. But I keep going, all my digestive problems disappeared, I sleep well and my brain is working great.
I'm interested to hear more about your journey to find good decaf. I recently switched to decaf and have found this corner of the market horribly neglected, but there are gems out there. I'm actually thinking of starting up a company solely focused on getting the best decaf to people like us who love coffee, but not caffeine! You seem like an obvious early adopter and you pay attention to your brewing too.
Would you be interested in talking about this? If so, just reply here and we can find a way to get in contact.
Thanks!
Sounds like quitting caffeine made a big positive difference to you - I'm happy for you! Out of interest, what made you switch to decaf tea instead of decaf coffee?
Thanks!
Are you still not drinking coffee?