Coffee is an essential part of many people's daily routines, and with the advent of Ramadan, coffee lovers are keen to enjoy it in a balanced way that suits fasting times. In addition to its distinctive taste, coffee offers many health benefits that may be beneficial during Ramadan, such as enhancing concentration, energizing the body after a long day of fasting, and helping improve digestion. In this article, we'll review the most important benefits of coffee during Ramadan, the best times to drink it, and how to enjoy it without affecting hydration or sleep.
Benefits of coffee in Ramadan
Coffee isn't just a delicious beverage; it has numerous benefits that make it a great choice when consumed in a balanced manner during Ramadan. Here are its most prominent benefits during the holy month:
- Boost energy and focus
- After a long day of fasting, coffee helps stimulate the mind and enhance concentration, making it ideal after iftar or before performing Tarawih prayers.
- Stimulate metabolism and burn fat
- The caffeine in coffee helps boost your metabolism, which may help improve digestion and burn calories after breakfast.
- Improve mood and reduce headaches
- Coffee helps improve mood and reduce fatigue and headaches that some people may experience due to a lack of caffeine during fasting.
- Promote digestive health
- Drinking coffee after breakfast in moderate amounts can help stimulate bowel movements and improve digestion, especially after eating fatty foods.
- A rich source of antioxidants
- Coffee contains antioxidants that protect the body from inflammation and boost heart and immune health.
- Reducing the feeling of lethargy after breakfast
- Instead of feeling sluggish after breakfast, a cup of coffee can help restore energy and vitality.
Best times to drink coffee during Ramadan
- One to two hours after breakfast : to avoid affecting the body’s absorption of nutrients.
- After Tarawih prayers : to give the body extra energy without affecting the quality of sleep.
- Avoid it before Suhoor : because it may cause dehydration and thirst during the day.
Does coffee make you thirsty in Ramadan?
Yes, coffee can cause thirst during Ramadan, especially if consumed in moderation. Here are the main reasons for this, and how to avoid thirst when drinking coffee during the holy month:
Why might coffee cause thirst?
- Its diuretic effect
- Coffee contains caffeine, which is a diuretic, which increases fluid loss from the body, which can lead to dehydration and thirst during the day.
- Eat it after suhoor
- Drinking coffee before bed or immediately after suhoor may increase urination during the night, which reduces the amount of fluid in the body and increases thirst during fasting.
- Add sugar and other ingredients
- Sweetened coffee or coffee with added condensed milk may increase thirst due to its high sugar content.
How to avoid thirst when drinking coffee during Ramadan?
- Drink coffee well after breakfast to avoid affecting your body's hydration.
- Drink plenty of water after coffee to replace lost fluids.
- Reduce your caffeine intake or choose low-caffeine coffee.
- Avoid coffee after Suhoor and replace it with hydrating drinks such as milk or natural herbs.
Thus, you can enjoy coffee during Ramadan without feeling thirsty or affecting your body's hydration during fasting.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of coffee?
Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, offering numerous health benefits. However, it can also have some harmful effects if consumed in excessive amounts. Here's a look at its most prominent advantages and disadvantages:
Benefits of coffee
- Enhance focus and attention
- Coffee contains caffeine, which helps improve attention and mental ability, making it an ideal beverage for increasing productivity.
- Improve mood and reduce stress
- Coffee helps stimulate the release of dopamine and serotonin, which enhances feelings of happiness and reduces stress and depression.
- Rich in antioxidants
- Coffee contains antioxidants that help fight free radicals and reduce the risk of heart disease and some types of cancer.
- Stimulate metabolism and aid weight loss
- Caffeine helps increase your metabolic rate, which may enhance fat burning and improve exercise performance.
- Reducing the risk of some diseases
- Some studies suggest that coffee may reduce the risk of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's.
Disadvantages of coffee
- sleep disorders
- Drinking coffee late in the day may cause insomnia and difficulty sleeping due to the effect of caffeine on the nervous system.
- increased heart rate and anxiety
- High doses of caffeine can cause rapid heartbeat and increased feelings of anxiety and nervousness in some people.
- Addiction and habituation
- Daily coffee consumption can lead to caffeine addiction, making the body need larger amounts to get the same effect.
- Increased acidity and stomach disorders
- Coffee may irritate the stomach and increase acid secretion, which may lead to heartburn or worsen digestive problems.
- Its diuretic effect
- Coffee is a diuretic, which can lead to fluid loss and increase the risk of dehydration, especially if it is not replaced by drinking water.
Is drinking coffee during suhoor harmful?
Yes, drinking coffee during suhoor can be harmful in some cases, especially if consumed in large quantities or without balancing it with adequate water intake. Here are some reasons why coffee during suhoor is not recommended:
Harmful effects of drinking coffee during suhoor
- Increased thirst during fasting
- Coffee is a diuretic, which can lead to fluid loss from the body during the night, thus making you feel thirsty during the day.
- Sleep disturbances and insomnia
- The caffeine in coffee may cause insomnia or interrupted sleep, affecting sleep quality and leading to fatigue during fasting.
- Its effect on the absorption of some nutrients
- Drinking coffee during suhoor may reduce the absorption of some important minerals, such as iron and calcium, which may affect the body's health in the long term.
- increased stomach acidity
- Drinking coffee on an empty stomach or with light foods may cause an increase in stomach acid secretion, leading to heartburn or digestive upset.
How to avoid the harmful effects of coffee during suhoor?
- It is preferable to replace it with other drinks such as milk or herbal tea if you suffer from dehydration or sleep disturbances.
- If you want to drink coffee, it is best to have it well before Suhoor and not right before bed.
- Make sure you drink enough water to replace the fluids you may lose due to coffee.
When is the best time to drink coffee?
During Ramadan, eating and drinking patterns change, making choosing the right time to drink coffee important to avoid thirst, sleep disturbances, or impairing nutrient absorption. Here are the optimal times to drink coffee during Ramadan:
1. One to two hours after breakfast
- The best time to drink coffee is an hour or two after breakfast, when the body has regained some hydration from water and juices, which reduces the diuretic effect of coffee.
- This timing also helps improve digestion and gives the body energy without affecting the absorption of iron and minerals from breakfast.
2. After Tarawih prayer
- Drinking coffee after Tarawih is suitable for those who stay up late to perform religious prayers or work at night, as it provides the body with energy without affecting hydration during the day.
- It is preferable to choose low-caffeine coffee or Arabic coffee that contains a lower percentage of caffeine to avoid insomnia.
3. Avoid drinking coffee after Suhoor.
- Drinking coffee just before or after suhoor may increase urination, causing fluid loss and thirst during the day.
- Caffeine can also cause sleep disturbances, making it difficult to sleep after suhoor.
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