7 Benefits of Quitting Coffee: The Top Reasons People Make the Switch

You’ve been thinking about quitting coffee but the very thought brings up huge reservations. Can you really wake up in the morning without that caffeine jolt that ensures you’re awake and ready for the day? What’s going to lift your grogginess? How can you motivate yourself to get going on things you may not be eager to do?

Those are exactly the concerns I’ve heard for over 30 years from people trying to quit coffee. I created Teeccino as an herbal coffee alternative in 1994. Since then, I’ve heard literally thousands of stories about the benefits people receive after they get on the other side of the bean. Everyone is unique and the individual ways your body responds to caffeine will determine what benefits you’ll experience after quitting coffee. I’ve compiled many testimonials from people who have successfully quit drinking coffee and I’m sharing them here for your inspiration.

Symptoms of caffeine sensitivity

I have always been caffeine sensitive but I did have a time in my early 20s when I was drinking coffee daily. The problem was – I wasn’t sleeping. I also didn’t like the jitters and I talked so rapidly that my Dutch friends couldn’t understand me. I was living in Holland where the coffee was too fantastic to resist despite my symptoms plus the added “koffiemelk” was so delicious. And oh yes, my stomach was a mess. I had acid reflux daily. When I moved back to the USA and my coffee drinking stopped, all those uncomfortable symptoms went away immediately. I loved sleeping soundly again!

If you’re caffeine sensitive, you may experience some of these symptoms, which people have reported disappear or greatly improve after quitting coffee:

• Anxiety
• Jitters
• Afternoon crash
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Digestive disorders
• Rapid breathing
• Heart palpitations
• Migraines
• Muscular tension
• Aching joints

If you recognize any of the above symptoms as something you experience too, you’ll be interested in reading some of the stories that people have written to us about the benefits they received from quitting coffee.

Benefit #1: Quitting coffee relieves anxiety

Surveys of Teeccino drinkers have revealed that one of the top reasons for quitting coffee was their desire to lower anxiety. A scientific meta-analysis of 8 clinical studies with 564 participants concluded that caffeine intake was significantly associated with increased anxiety in healthy people.^[1]

If you suffer from anxiety, the simplest test is to quit coffee and see how you feel, but you may need some inspiration to make that lifestyle change. Here is a story from one of our Teeccino customers who suffered from anxiety:

“

I had been diagnosed with chronic anxiety a few months back. My therapist gave me a list of things to cut back on, one of which was caffeine. I was only drinking 1 to 2 lattes a day, each one with 4 shots of espresso, so I didn't think it would be that impactful…. Boy, was I wrong! Cutting out the caffeine changed my health a lot! And all for the better, too. I started sleeping better, eating less, losing weight, and my anxiety wasn't bothering me hardly at all.

— Teeccino customer Read the whole story

Benefit #2: Digestive disorders, including GERD, improve after quitting coffee

From the top of our digestive tracts right through the colon, the acidity of coffee has an impact on people’s digestion. Hundreds of different acidic compounds exist in coffee beans with 9 major acids being predominant.

Coffee & GERD

Coffee drinking is associated with acid reflux or GERD as well as bloating and gas in caffeine sensitive people. However, surprisingly, I can’t find any studies that analyze the effect of quitting coffee on GERD! Nevertheless, there are plenty of testimonials about people getting relief from GERD when they quit coffee. Here is one person’s story:

“

I'd been a gourmet mail order coffee drinker since my late teens - even though drinking it meant that I would sometimes suffer heartburn and stomach pain. By my early thirties I was sick of feeling sick and tired all the time. So I changed my diet to organic whole foods and stopped all processed sugars. What a difference! But my desire for coffee wasn't being satisfied. In search for a coffee alternative, I visited the local health food store and asked them what they sold out of the most. That's when I found Teeccino. I've been hooked ever since! No more heartburn. No more stomach pain. I feel GREAT drinking Teeccino!

— Cathleen

Coffee & IBS

When it comes to the colon, responses can range from people who find that coffee causes diarrhea to others who use it to keep regular. Coffee drinking has also been linked to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). In a study of over 3300 people, it was shown that coffee drinkers have a 47% greater chance of suffering from IBS than non-coffee drinkers.^[2]

Here are two stories from people who found that quitting coffee helped their IBS:

“

After being diagnosed with IBS, I've eliminated foods that were causing my stomach issues. However I would notice that the lattes and ice coffee that I love so much were also upsetting my stomach. I tried out Teeccino and I'm hooked! Not only does it taste great but no more stomach issues!!

— Sara D.

“

I have had Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) since I was 13 and did not know what was triggering my flare ups which were every day. With the help of a naturopath, together we determined that my body is very sensitive to caffeine in any form. Since I starting drinking Teeccino 3 years ago and gave up coffee totally, I can say that I no longer have IBS flare ups. I have my life back and can totally enjoy the wonderful taste of coffee once again.

— Charline B

Coffee & diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is a painful condition in the colon where small pockets become inflamed or even infected. Here’s how one person felt after switching to Teeccino:

“

I suffer from diverticulitis and I recently discovered Teeccino in my local health shop. I find that it has a lovely calming effect on my system and it tastes just great as well plus the fact that it has an alkalising benefit too is a special bonus for people like me with this condition.

— Gerry M

Coffee & constipation

If you use coffee daily to have regular bowel movements and you’re worried about what will happen if you quit coffee, read these people’s reports on how their constipation improved after they quit coffee:

“

I suffer from many stomach problems, from heartburn/acid reflux to constipation, and this "coffee" has helped me with all of those problems! It has changed my life! I will never start my morning without it at this point, so many health benefits, tastes delicious, and gives me natural energy.

— Anonymous

“

I never thought I could get off coffee but when my doctor diagnosed me with erosive grade d esophagitis, gerd and ulcers and said I had to, I literally sat in his office and asked him 10 times over - really no coffee!!! I am 52 years old and have drunk coffee since I was 18 years old. It wasn't just the caffeine but the ritual of drinking it. It was comforting to have it. So I weaned off and found Teeccino- at first I admit it was quite different but when I started drinking it regularly I found that I like it more than coffee now….I now feel good when I get up in the am and rarely have the late afternoon slump….No more wrenching esophogus or stomachaches. For me to get off coffee is short of a miracle-and one more thing - I’ve always been rather short tempered and now I am so much less agitated by small things. I am also more regular - bowel movements.

— Suzanne

Benefit #3: Your mood will improve after quitting coffee

As Suzanne writes in her story above, many people report that their mood improves after quitting coffee. Caffeine stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol, a stress hormone, which puts the body into the ‘fight or flight’ response. With elevated stress hormones, your mood can turn irritable or worse, outright angry like this person:

“

I LOVE coffee- the smell and the taste of rich, dark, black coffee. Over the past few years I had been feeling my health deteriorate. My nerves were a wreck, my energy level plummeted, and my blood sugar levels were swinging out of control. I noticed when I would drink a second cup of coffee in the afternoon, to try to make it through the rest of the day, I would get intensely angry! I finally decided ENOUGH! My sister-in-law told me about Teeccino and I decided to try it. I now view regular coffee as a poison to my body. My health is improving: my nervous system is slowly recovering, I have more energy and my blood sugar has leveled out.

— Angela

Other people find that coffee drinking makes it hard for them to stay centered and calm. Here is a story of a person who experienced extreme mood swings from coffee drinking and found that after she quit coffee, her moods stabilized and improved.

“

Coffee was hammering my adrenal and thyroid glands. The caffeine was like a criminal holding a gun to my adrenal and thyroid forcing them to work; they couldn't do it anymore by force. In addition the shock of coffee and its forms of stimulants were so much for my system that I would have crying meltdowns by midday…. I had tried Teeccino in the past for gastritis and was swayed by those in my life who loved coffee to stop "playing around" and just drink the coffee. Boy were they wrong!

— Anonymous

This new mom also found she was calmer without caffeine:

“

When I was breastfeeding my son several years ago I used java flavor Teeccino to replace coffee completely. I wanted to reduce my baby's caffeine consumption through breast milk. I was a neurotic new mom and swore caffeine was keeping my baby awake and making him irritable. Looking back, the reality was Teeccino helped me be calmer and avoid the jitters and nervousness that caffeine can sometimes cause.

— Anonymous

Benefit #4: You’ll have more energy when you’re caffeine free

I know, if you’re addicted to caffeine, this is hard to believe. It is also true that this doesn’t happen immediately. Your adrenal glands and your endocrine system as a whole need time to recover after caffeine has been masking your body’s signals of fatigue.

Caffeine fills up the same receptors that are usually devoted to adenosine, the neurotransmitter that builds up gradually over the day and sends signals that the body and brain are tired. Caffeine blocks the “I’m tired” signal so you won’t be able to feel your fatigue.

Energy creation is the responsibility of the mitochondria inside your cells which create ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Notice that “adenosine” is common to both energy creation and fatigue. After your cells use ATP for their metabolic tasks, adenosine is split off and its gradual buildup results in you experiencing fatigue.

Some people get their energy back right away after quitting coffee while for others, it can take a few months. Diet and supplements can really help in the beginning stages of weaning off caffeine to recover one’s natural energy.

Keep in mind – when you were young, you had plenty of energy without caffeine and you can recover that natural energy again. Read these stories from people who found their natural energy returned after quitting coffee.

“

Ten years ago a fellow instructor introduced me to Teeccino as an alternative to coffee and its caffeine jitters. I fixed my Teeccino with creamer and sweetener - it tasted so good, I drank 5 cups within 8 hours of teaching day & night classes. After work, I went home and found I still had so much energy (from all the potassium?), I was able to wash by hand 3 sink loads of dishes and then 5 machine loads of laundry. Then went to bed and quickly drifted off into to a sound sleep. Also, I like the taste of Teeccino better than coffee and have much better stomach and intestinal conditions too.

— Angel

“

Since my days as a college student I was always known as Mr. Coffee I just could never get enough of coffee and the high it seemed to give me. As I became older and started working 12hr shifts in the hospital (critical care nurse) my coffee habit grew stronger. The large amounts of caffeine began to take its toll on me as I started to suffer from insomnia, recurrent infections, blood sugar instabilities, mood swings, and the list goes on. My love affair with coffee was just too much to give up. It took several attempts but I have finally kicked the habit and I have Teeccino to thank for that. Now my energy levels are stable, I sleep better, and I no longer suffer from headaches.

— Tracey, RN.

“

This year, I decided to try Teeccino to wean myself off from caffeine since caffeine was really affecting my health. It felt horrible to wean myself from coffee and it didn't let me continue with my day so in desperation I went to the nearest health food store and bought a bag of Teeccino….The best part is the energy I feel, I don't feel jittery and anxious, I feel like I can take on the day. I feel like vital oxygen is going through my body and giving me my life back.

— Elizabeth L.

Benefit #5: Sleep better when you’re caffeine free

Getting a good night’s sleep is such an issue for so many of us. Although many factors affect our quality of sleep, it is universally agreed that caffeine consumption interferes with sleep – especially the sleep stage known as ‘deep sleep’ or ‘slow-wave’ sleep. During this stage, growth hormone is released to repair muscles and tissues while the immune system activates its defenses against pathogens. You don’t want to miss this stage of sleep!

Even if you’re one of those who can fall asleep right after drinking coffee, studies show that caffeine decreases the duration and proportion of deep sleep while it increases light sleep. It also reduces the length of sleep by 45 minutes and the efficiency of sleep by 7%. It can delay you from falling asleep depending on how sensitive you are to caffeine or how closely you consumed it before bedtime.^[3]

The half-life of caffeine is 4-6 hours. So if you consume your last cup of coffee at noon and it has 100mg of caffeine, you’ll still have 50mg in your body by 6PM. Then it takes another 6 hours to reduce that to 25mg. Deep sleep occurs in the first few hours after you fall asleep so you’ll be missing out if there’s still 25mg or more affecting your sleep. If you’ve had multiple cups of coffee during the day, that caffeine build up will keep compounding!

Here are some first-person reports from people whose sleep improved after quitting coffee.

“

As a middle aged mother of two, I found myself in a total caffeine rut. I'd drink too much coffee in the morning and late morning then not sleep at night, causing a terrible cycle. I tried everything to get off coffee until I had Teeccino. I started mixing it with my coffee and within a week with NO HEADACHES I was off coffee, and I now prefer Teeccino over coffee. I sleep well and I'm eternally thankful.

— Alice H.

“

I recently gave up coffee/caffeine 3 weeks ago and switched to delicious Teeccino. I sleep better and my daughter loves that she can drink it with me.

— Maria C

“

I decided a little over a year ago that I needed to get off the caffeine, esp. coffee. And I LOVED my coffee. But...It was causing hot flashes and, for the first time in my life, indigestion and a sour stomach. Decaf didn't make any difference. I was very uncomfortable most mornings but was willing to put up with the discomfort because I wanted that coffee. And then I found Teeccino and I am happy to say that all of those issues have gone away…I sleep better, am less irritable, and I don't crave coffee like I used to.

— Kelly

Benefit #6: Heart conditions improve after quitting coffee

Cardiologists are well aware that caffeine affects the heart and typically recommend that their heart patients either quit or cut down on coffee. Nevertheless, if you consult large scientific studies, the results are mixed as to whether or not caffeine affects the heart. It seems the truth is, if you’re sensitive to caffeine or if you’ve developed a heart condition including high blood pressure or heart palpitations like ‘A-FIB’, quitting coffee can help. Read the benefits these heart patients experienced after quitting coffee:

“

Until I had open heart surgery to replace a bicuspid valve, I was an avid coffee drinker. I tried every coffee varietal I could get my hands on. I was what you could call a coffee snob. But after surgery, with high blood pressure issues, I completely stopped the coffee. I tried decaf tea and coffee but even those gave me heart palpitations. And every time I smelled my wife's freshly press-potted brew I'd get rather depressed. So just this last Wednesday a thought struck me that had been wandering my brain for a few months, I wonder if there are any good coffee substitutes out there? I did one search and the first link was Teeccino….I found a local store and picked up the Hazelnut, Vanilla Nut and the French Roast. I was very very pleased from the first cup….One last thing -- the Teeccino does give me sort of an energy rush like caffeine, but no jitters or heart palps. I had a cup before bed two nights ago and slept like a baby. When I get up in the morning now I notice that I'm looking forward to my first cup of Teeccino. Great flavor, excellent product!

— Daniel T.

“

I was diagnosed with AFib and told I could have NO caffeine, not even decaf. I was so addicted to coffee, I was beside myself. I mixed a brew of 3 different coffees to get a wonderful blend, which I would drink all day. I have been called a coffee snob, because I couldn't drink anyone else's. When my nurse friend introduced me to Teeccino, I was astounded, I loved it right away. My husband can not believe how quickly I got off caffeine and started my healthy new life.

— Millie H.

“

Caffeine makes my heart beat rapidly and even sent me to the emergency room once believing i was having a heart attack! I simply love the taste of coffee and I didn't really think this product could possibly be comparable. I am thrilled to find it most definately is-and better!

— Tammy G.

“

I am 'normally' a coffee drinker. I LOVE COFFEE !!! But, unfortunately I was diagnosed with A-FIB (a heartbeat malfunction) and have to be VERY careful with types of foods and drinks I consume. Have you ever thought that you were gonna just 'die' if you couldn't have your cuppa-joe? I DID!!! A friend introduced me to Teeccino and I will NOT go back.. EVER! It not only is GOOD for me it does not cause my heart to race like regular coffee does

— Zeruiah B.

Benefit #7: All kinds of symptoms clear up after quitting coffee

Over the years, I’ve heard so many people’s stories about seemingly random symptoms that clear up after quitting coffee. Fortunately, the internet helps people find out about the wide range of effects of caffeine even though many times no healthcare practitioner suspects that coffee is the culprit. From bladder conditions to ringing in the ears to the sudden onset of an allergy to coffee, these former coffee drinkers are so happy they found quitting coffee helped their symptoms.

“

I was diagnosed with interstitial cystitis, so never again acidic foods or drink…. For me, giving up coffee and tea was miserable…. My daughter was introduced to Teeccino by a friend, and she asked me if I would give it a try. I was extremely skeptical, as IC is so painful, and I was concerned, but the package read, caffeine free, not acidic so I tried. It was lovely...but I waited for the IC to rear its ugly head, it didn’t.

— Elizabeth O.

“

I have tinnitus. I can not have any caffeine without my sound getting so much louder. I missed coffee the most of things I had to give up. I was so happy to have come across Teeccino. It is so close to the coffee taste that I now feel that I do not have to give up anything.

— Mary Ann

“

After retiring, I found myself drinking more and more coffee as I puttered around the house all day. My blood pressure rose and I began to get migraine headaches. At a friends home for dinner one night, she served Teeccino with dessert. I asked her what brand of coffee it was and surprise! It was Mocha Teeccino. I immediately went online and ordered several kinds. I love them all and now have a normal blood pressure, no headaches and improved vigor.

— Carol T.

“

A few years ago--suddenly--and without any warning at all, coffee brewed from coffee cherries began to make me violently ill. And no matter what brand I tried, I still became ill. I even tried decaffinated brands, to no avail. Finally, I realized that I had to stop drinking coffee altogether. I was devastated--for there's nothing like a good strong cup of coffee, especially on those cold winter mornings…. (Then) I was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis (a muscle disorder), and I tend to get weak very often. If I drink two cups of Teeccino per day, it gives my muscles a real kick in the pants!

— Rachael B.

“

I have had a long history of GI problems. Most recently, this past September, I was diagnosed with Grade C esophagitis. My abdominal pain is persistent and nearly crippling. I had found one supplement that was helping the pain, but was still suffering due to chronic constipation (which I was shocked to learn I had). I had been taking the medications as directed by my doctor, but was still feeling bloated, heavy and uncomfortable. Then I found Teeccino. I am just getting started, but in just a few days, I felt lighter and not at all bloated. What a relief! My husband was so happy when I got home the other day & told him how much better I felt. It was like I lost 10 pounds and got new insoles in my shoes.

— Erica B

Why not just drink decaf?

Industry research reports that 15% of coffee drinkers drink decaf coffee. But is there a better alternative to decaf? Decaf undergoes processing to remove the caffeine resulting in it having less antioxidants than regular coffee. Decaf still contains some caffeine, which can range as high as 35mg depending on how it is made, and it has as much acidity as regular coffee or more.

Of course, we believe that Teeccino with its acid free, prebiotic herbal health benefits makes a better choice than decaf. These people found that decaf coffee still aggravated their symptoms and that refraining from drinking any kind of coffee helped them improve their health.

“

Sometime ago I suspected that the caffeine in coffee and I didn't get along well. When I switched to decaf coffee I was surprised when I still wasn't feeling quite right. That's when I discovered that de caff coffee actually has more acid than regular coffee so I switched to Teeccino. Since I started drinking Teeccino without acid or caffeine I feel much better. I have replaced my coffee habit with Teeccino and I feel great!

— William R.

“

I was a coffee drinker for over 40 years. Not too long ago, I was diagnosed with vertigo and tinnitus. I was told by my doctor to drink decaf coffee instead of regular and that would eliminate my problem. I was having a problem sleeping at night also. I went to a therapist for exercises to eliminate the vertigo. It helped for a while, but I was still suffering. Medication did not help either. I decided to do some research on caffeine free foods and beverages and found out that decaf coffee contains caffeine. During my search, Teeccino came up as an alternative to coffee…. I must say that since making the change, my vertigo has drastically reduced and I am now able to get a good night's sleep. Teeccino has been a lifesaver for me.

— Marlene M.

“

I LOVE coffee, but it has gradually disrupted my sleep more and given me bad headaches, even if I drink decaf, and even minimally. I think Teeccino is an amazing substitute, as the flavor is delicious, and I feel great about the ingredients.

— Anonymous

Ready to get the benefits of quitting coffee?

Every one of these stories began with the same worry you might have right now: can I really give up my coffee? I hope these stories from so many people who have successfully quit coffee will encourage you to give it a try.

If you've already made the switch, we'd love to hear your story. Please share it on our Community Love page. Your story might be exactly what someone else needs to read to take that step to improve their health.