Off the Caffeine Trail
Captured this cappuccino yesterday during a food photography assignment.
So I’ve once again removed coffee from my diet. Yes, I do miss the ritual of making a pot of fresh French Press coffee every morning after my gym visit, my prostate is eternally grateful for what in actuality is a negligible sacrifice.
According to Wikipedia, the definition of what most folks more or less consciously enjoy about coffee, caffeine, is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant of the methylxanthine class.
My most recent urologist, my first-ever female specialist in this field, was insistent that I refrain from all beverages containing caffeine.
Here’s what ChatGPT responded when I asked about the matter:
While there is no definitive evidence that coffee is detrimental to urinary health, some urologists may caution against excessive coffee consumption for a few reasons. First, coffee is a natural diuretic, which means that it can increase urine production and cause you to urinate more frequently. For people with overactive bladder or urinary incontinence, this can exacerbate their symptoms and lead to more frequent trips to the bathroom.
Second, coffee is acidic, and some urologists believe that acidic foods and drinks can irritate the bladder and cause discomfort or urinary urgency in some people.
Third, coffee contains caffeine, which can increase muscle activity in the bladder and cause urinary urgency, as well as increase the risk of dehydration, which can contribute to bladder irritation and urinary tract infections.
However, it’s worth noting that not all urologists agree that coffee is detrimental to urinary health, and some studies have actually suggested that moderate coffee consumption may have some benefits for urinary health, such as reducing the risk of urinary tract infections. As with many aspects of health, the impact of coffee on urinary health can depend on a variety of factors, including an individual’s overall health and caffeine tolerance.