Caffeine is commonly classified as a drug in mainstream nutrition, but I believe this can only be true if taken in by itself without the right nutrients.
According to Dr. Ray Peat, any essential nutrient used in isolation, can be used as a drug for any specific effect on the person that wouldn’t normally be the case if eaten with other foods.
So, if used differently, could caffeine become a nutrient?
Ray states, The main reason coffee gives people the “jitters” is because they drink their coffee without any fat, like milk or cream and without food.
According to Ray Peat , “The bad effects of coffee are usually due to drinking large doses in a short amount of time” Drinking coffee on an empty stomach increases the cellular consumption of glucose and then causes an increase of adrenaline. Over producing adrenaline can then lead to exhaustion, a less efficient energy metabolism (slow down) and a depletion of glycogen stores.
The liver requires glycogen to convert hormones so that your thyroid use the hormones your liver converted to produce energy. Your thyroid and metabolism depend on this process to work optimally.
So what does this all mean?
Caffeine can be really beneficial to your metabolism and increase your energy if taken with milk, heavy cream and by eating food with your coffee.
It’s all about how you use it.
Benefits of caffeine:
Increases progesterone concentration and production
Balances blood sugar
Protects the liver from alcohol
Increases metabolic energy
Improves mood
Highly protective against cancer, including estrogen induced breast cancer
Lower incidence of thyroid disease
Provides magnesium and vitamin B1
Improves athletic performance
Protects against stress induced cell death without interfering with normal cell turnover
Can prevent nerve cell death
Prevents free radical damage
How I take my coffee:
2-3 Tbsp Organic Heavy Cream
1 Tbsp Great Lakes Gelatin
Sugar to taste
You can also add...