Coffee is a staple of many morning rituals. When rising blood pressure is involved, quitting coffee can become a priority. On Quora, one coffee lover shared their concern about the difficulty of quitting coffee: How can I stop coffee completely? I have headaches after stopping coffee for 2 days. My doctor believes that quitting coffee could help lower my BP. We decided to dig deeper, and we reached out to Dr Manjusha Agarwal of Gleneagles Hospital in Mumbai. She told us the key is not just quitting, but how you do it. Consult your doctor before beginning any new routine. Why quitting suddenly is so difficult. Dr Agarwal says that headaches are a normal and common part of caffeine withdrawal. The body adjusts to lower caffeine levels. The safer way to stop coffeeLemon, coconut, or short walks could be good alternatives to coffee as they boost alertness naturally without raising BP. (Image: Pexels). While it may seem tempting, this approach can backfire. “It is better to taper your coffee slowly than to stop abruptly,” says Dr Agarwal. She also suggests that the “safest” way to reduce caffeine is to do so over 1-2 weeks. This will help prevent withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, fatigue and irritability. Story continues below this advertisement. Simple changes, such as switching to coffee with less caffeine or spacing out your intake, can make the transition easier. Staying hydrated and getting enough sleep are also important to reduce withdrawal symptoms. Matcha, black coffee, or green tea: Which one is better to consume for your gut health? A gastroenterologist explainsOvertime, “reducing or stopping coffee may help lower BP a little,” especially for those who are more sensitive. What can you drink instead? Giving up coffee doesn’t mean that you will lose energy. Green tea and herbal teas are milder on the blood pressure, and have less caffeine. Other simple alternatives, such as lemon water, coconut or short walks, can also boost alertness without putting additional strain on your system. Sometimes, the best way to quit coffee is to not rush at all. Consult your doctor before beginning any new routine.
