Caffeine in dietary doses increases both adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and cortisol secretion in humans (15). Caffeine's effect on glucocorticoid regulation therefore has the potential to alter circadian rhythms and to interact with stress reactions.
In fact, if you're trying to balance your hormones, caffeine may be a no-go. Research shows that it can increase estrogen levels. While caffeine is known to give you a quick energy boost, it can also disrupt your hormones, particularly estrogen levels.
Hormones Affected By Caffeine
ACTH comes from the brain and it stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol, DHEA, and other things in the adrenal glands. Following caffeine consumption there was significant elevation of ACTH at all times 30 minutes to 180 minutes. Cortisol is also elevated starting at 60 minutes.
“Drinking caffeine can increase estrogen levels in women, sometimes leading to an estrogen dominant state,” says Odelia Lewis, MD, a medical contributor to ABC News Medical Unit. “Estrogen dominance is associated with premenstrual syndrome, heavy periods, fibrocystic breasts, and even certain breast cancers.
The way caffeine works on your brain is that it inhibits a natural neurotransmitter called adenosine (a naturally calming hormone), which naturally builds up throughout the day, making you feel tired as the day progresses.
Caffeine consumption is also linked with increases in blood pressure in females (but not males). This makes coffee and caffeinated beverages dangerous stuff if you suffer from existing hormone balances — or if you are concerned about protecting your hormones and your fertility in the future.
Caffeine has also been shown to increase serotonin levels in the limbic system, a relatively primitive part of our brain involved in regulating basic functions such as hormonal secretions, emotional responses, mood regulation and pain/pleasure sensations.
Usually, coffee feels good in the short term, but too much of it can backfire. Since coffee inhibits the absorption of adenosine (a hormone that calms the body), it makes you alert and feel awake. It can also increase the production of cortisol, the stress hormone, which can gear you up for the task at hand.
Consuming too much caffeine can also deplete the vitamin B and magnesium levels. “These are important nutrients needed for ovulation and progesterone production.
An excess of caffeine combined with a high carb diet can wear out your adrenal gland. This slows down the thyroid gland and is one of the primary causes of Hypothyroidism.
Hot flashes, flushes, and night sweats are the most common symptoms of low estrogen. At times, blood rushes to your skin's surface. This can give you a feeling of warmth (hot flash). Your face may look flushed.
Caffeine causes sex hormone imbalances.
Because of its capacity to contribute to HPA axis dysfunction and cortisol dominance, regular caffeine intake can affect the delicate balance of your reproductive hormones, including oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
If you drink coffee on an empty stomach, your cortisol levels can increase and, depending on your individual hormone levels, it could cause unnecessary stress in your morning. However, generally, it shouldn't be anything to worry about.
Caffeine is a stimulant, which means it's not ideal for promoting quality sleep. Removing it from your day keeps cortisol and melatonin at their natural rhythms, which results in better sleep and less fatigue.
As the body's primary stress hormone, cortisol surges when we perceive danger, and causes all the symptoms we associate with “fight or flight”—increased blood pressure and heart rate, muscle tension, and the digestive system slamming to a halt, resulting in nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Common signs and symptoms of higher-than-normal cortisol levels include: Weight gain, especially in your face and abdomen. Fatty deposits between your shoulder blades. Wide, purple stretch marks on your abdomen (belly).
In the brain, caffeine stimulates the release of dopamine, which is another neurotransmitter. Dopamine is responsible for feelings of euphoria. Another reason is that coffee contains antioxidants.
A few of the most common things that can happen with ECDs are that they can: block your natural hormones from doing their job. increase/decrease the levels of hormones in your blood (yes this means your thyroid, oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone levels can be significantly affected)
While this timeframe can vary depending on your sleep schedule, the most common cortisol dip times tend to be between 9:30 and 11:00 am, then again between 2:00 and 5:00 pm. This translates to a 1-4 hour waiting window before enjoying your caffeinated brew after waking.
What Causes or Contributes to Serotonin Deficiency? Many life stressors can lead to low serotonin: Prolonged periods of stress can deplete serotonin levels. Our fast-paced, fast food society greatly contributes to these imbalances.
There's always some dopamine in the brain, but elevated levels lead to improved moods. Caffeine increases the amount of dopamine in our brain by blocking its reabsorption into our bodies.