Jaded by Olivia Jade

The Truth About Coffee: Love, Hate, and a Little Bit of Caffeine Chaos

Jaded Issue #19

If you know me, you know I love coffee. Like, I go to bed every night genuinely excited for my morning cup. It’s part of my ritual — my slow start, my journaling time, my little slice of peace before the day begins.

And yes, I also love my second cup. Around 2–3 p.m. it becomes another sacred pause in my day — a moment to breathe, reset, and sip something that just makes life feel a little softer.

But enough about my relationship with coffee. Let’s talk about yours.

Because depending on who you ask, coffee is either the devil or the divine.

Some providers are straight-up coffee police — “No caffeine! It’s bad for you! You’re dependent! It’s ruining your hormones! It’s making you gain weight!”

Then there are the coffee worshippers — “It boosts longevity! Improves focus! Fights cancer! Coffee drinkers live longer!”

So what’s the truth?
It’s… complicated. (But honestly, what isn’t complicated in the wellness world anymore?)

Here’s my honest breakdown:

Why You Should Love Coffee

  • A 2023 study of over 47,000 women found links between moderate coffee drinking and healthy aging
  • Caffeine can enhance memory, energy, and focus — especially in low to moderate doses.
  • Coffee contains antioxidants that may help protect against liver cancer, metabolic disease, and cognitive decline.
  • Some studies even show that coffee may elevate mood and reduce risk of depression when consumed moderately.

Why You Should Hate Coffee

  • Too much caffeine can trigger insomnia, anxiety, or jitters (and yes, worsen PMS).
  • It can raise blood pressure temporarily, which isn’t ideal for everyone.
  • Excess caffeine can interfere with fertility and reduce bone density over time in certain women.
  • And while it’s not as dehydrating as once believed, it can make you pee more — meaning hydration matters even more if you’re a coffee girl.

Now, Here’s the Plot Twist

What I just did there?
I cherry-picked studies to make both cases — for and against coffee.

And that’s exactly what most influencers do. They grab the data that fits their angle, slap a pretty caption on it, and call it truth.

It’s dangerous. It’s misleading. And, unfortunately, it sells.

That’s just the way the wellness world works.

Now, My Take on Coffee is This

1. Are you in control or is the coffee in control?

What I mean is: are you dependent on coffee and risking negative effects — or can you actually go without it? Sure, caffeine can be beneficial. But if it’s running your life, you’re handing over the reins.

When caffeine dependence kicks in, symptoms of withdrawal can include headaches, fatigue, decreased alertness, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and even flu-like symptoms.

So ask yourself: do you need that cup, or do you want it?

2. What are you putting in your coffee?

Let’s be real: the coffee itself isn’t usually the weight-gain culprit. It’s what we load it up with — sugar, artificial creamers, syrups. All those “fun add-ons” can sneak in a ton of calories, additives, and take away from coffee’s natural benefits.

3. Are you sleeping — or not?

Sleep is EVERYTHING (especially if you’re a woman). And yes, your morning coffee habit might be messing with your sleep cycle more than you realize.

So pause: is coffee helping you feel awake and well-rested — or driving you into a caffeine-drunk insomnia spiral?

Alright — after getting all those super-deep questions out of the way, here are my tips:

  1. Hydrate before sipping.
    Coffee can act as a diuretic, and while moderate coffee isn’t likely to dehydrate you badly, there’s some nuance. To be on the safe side: before diving into that mug, drink my favorite morning refresher: coconut water + organic juice + a splash of milk. I do this every morning and it makes a difference.
  2. Try not to drink on an empty stomach.
    Coffee “stimulates digestion” (aka pushes your gut into gear) which means if it’s on an empty stomach, you might be doing damage — gut lining, tummy rumble, unstable blood sugar. So eat something small and light first.
  3. Wait a little bit…
    Delay the coffee. Wait about ~30 minutes after waking before you gulp. Give your body a chance to get moving naturally before you hit it with caffeine. Helps avoid disrupting your natural rhythm.
  4. Don’t overdo it.
    Most healthy adults (including women) can safely handle up to ~400 mg of caffeine per day, according to U.S. Food & Drug Administration. A grande brewed cup at many coffee chains (aka Starbucks) can already be 300 mg+. Track your numbers.
  5. Keep it simple.
    The danger zone isn’t the coffee itself — it’s the sugar-bomb creamers, syrups, and artificial junk. Use simple add-ons: milk, natural sweeteners like honey or organic maple syrup, higher-quality creamers (think minimal ingredient list). You love your coffee — don’t let it be sabotaged by what you dump in it.

If you’ve read my blog before, you know I hate demonizing stuff. So here’s my final word: coffee is not the devil. If you love your coffee, drink your coffee. Just be mindful of how much, what’s in it, and how you feel because ultimately you should be running that mug — not vice-versa.

Time to go make my cup ☕️

xoxo, Olivia Jade

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