Drinking coffee should follow the principles of "not on an empty stomach, not in excess, and not too late."
● Not on an empty stomach
If you drink a large amount of strong coffee on an empty stomach, it may lead to a rapid heartbeat and cause discomfort such as chest tightness and palpitations. Coffee also accelerates the body's calorie consumption, which can easily lead to low blood sugar. This prompts the body to immediately activate its blood sugar-raising mechanism, utilizing stored sugar to increase blood sugar levels. This process is often accompanied by symptoms of sympathetic nervous system excitement, such as sweating, pale complexion, palpitations (increased heart rate), intense hunger, anxiety, nervousness, limb tremors, and a mild increase in blood pressure.
● Not in excess
It is not advisable to drink coffee in excess. Generally, the limit is no more than two cups of moderately strong coffee per day. Using coffee to stay alert can easily lead to dependence, requiring larger and larger amounts for diminishing effects. This is because while caffeine is stimulating, its effects are short-lived, and it depletes B vitamins in the body that are related to nerve and muscle coordination. People deficient in B vitamins are particularly prone to fatigue, ultimately creating a vicious cycle.
● Not too late
The time of day for drinking coffee should not be too late. Drinking strong coffee in the evening can overstimulate the nervous system, easily leading to insomnia.