Not only can it lift your spirits by helping you better cope with stress, but caffeine also increases your levels of the feel-good hormone dopamine, reports Translational Psychiatry. When this hormone is elevated, the pleasure center of your brain is activated for longer — a mood-boosting effect that may encourage you to consume more caffeine.
Also, since you tend to crave caffeine when you're tired, your body may be telling you that you're low in iron, a vital nutrient. An iron deficiency or anemia leads to weakness and fatigue, per Healthline. Unfortunately, a cup of Joe is the exact opposite of what you need if this is the case. That's because tannins in coffee actually block your body's absorption of iron from foods. If you think you have low iron, try eating more iron-rich foods, including red meat, eggs, and even chickpeas, according to Everyday Health. Also, it's vital to talk to your doctor if you feel anemia is behind your exhaustion.
Now that you know the reasons why you might be craving caffeine, it's important to know you can drink too much. Medical experts at the Mayo Clinic suggest no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine a day, the equivalent of four cups of coffee. Keeping that in mind, bottoms up!
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