Short Answer: Coffee is bad for hypothyroidism. Because it has caffeine, which can reduce the absorption of levothyroxine, increase blood sugar and cortisol levels, and trigger inflammation.
Hypothyroidism is a condition that affects your thyroid gland.
In hypothyroidism, your body does not produce enough thyroid hormones, which are essential for regulating your metabolism, growth, and development.
This can lead to various health problems, such as fatigue, weight gain, depression, constipation, dry skin, hair loss, and menstrual irregularities.
One of the key factors in managing hypothyroidism is diet.
What you consume can affect your thyroid function, which can impact your hypothyroidism symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage hypothyroidism, you should consume iodine-rich foods like seaweed, fish, dairy, and eggs, and avoid goitrogenic foods like soy, cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower.
Goitrogens are substances that can interfere with thyroid hormone production.
Now, coffee is a popular beverage that contains caffeine, antioxidants, and polyphenols.
People usually drink coffee to boost their energy, mood, and mental alertness.
Coffee is bad for hypothyroidism because it contains caffeine, which can reduce the absorption of levothyroxine, a synthetic thyroid hormone medication that many hypothyroid patients take.
This can lower the effectiveness of the treatment and worsen the symptoms of hypothyroidism.
This effect is more pronounced if coffee is consumed within an hour of taking levothyroxine.
One cup of coffee can give you about 95 mg of caffeine, which is about 25% of your daily limit.
Caffeine can also increase your blood sugar levels, which can cause cortisol spikes and stress your adrenal glands.
This can further disrupt your thyroid function and immune system.
Caffeine can negatively affect hypothyroidism by reducing the absorption of levothyroxine and increasing blood sugar and cortisol levels.
Furthermore, coffee is a stimulant and stimulants are bad for hypothyroidism.
Because, they can overstimulate your nervous system and cause anxiety, insomnia, and palpitations.
These can aggravate your hypothyroidism symptoms and make you feel worse.
That’s why I suggest you limit your coffee intake to avoid these complications.
Stick to one cup of coffee per day or less, and drink it at least four hours after taking levothyroxine to minimize the interference.
You can also switch to decaf coffee or herbal teas, which have less or no caffeine.
Also, you shouldn’t drink coffee if you have Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune form of hypothyroidism, to prevent inflammation.
Because, coffee can trigger an immune response in some people who are sensitive to it, and this can worsen the autoimmune attack on the thyroid gland.
You can buy coffee in your local market or online.
Always choose organic and fair-trade coffee, which is free of pesticides and chemicals.
Because, these can also harm your thyroid and overall health.
You can store coffee beans or grounds in an airtight container in a cool and dark place for up to a month.
Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management and essential medical care is key to managing hypothyroidism effectively.
I always recommend my hypothyroid patients to follow a hypothyroid-friendly diet to improve their thyroid function, well-being, and enjoy a longer and healthier life.