Coffee is one of the most popular and widely consumed beverages worldwide; hence, the popularity of the coffee and candida or yeast infection topic. We have researched this topic closely for the last 3 years. The bottom line: some people can benefit from drinking coffee when they have candida, others may not.
This article summarizes our findings.
Coffee And Candida
Research’s Summary
- Concerns.
- Benefits: Who can drink coffee?
- Do it right: How to drink coffee when you have candida.
- Alternatives: Healthy coffee alternatives.
- Antifungal: Does coffee kill candida?
Coffee Benefits
The main reason coffee is so popular, is due to its stimulating effect on the central nervous system. For many people this means more energy, higher motivation, better productivity, clarity, brain function and an overall state of well-being. Another reason more people drink coffee, is the “coffee is healthy” trend. According to multiple studies, coffee consumption may help to prevent several chronic diseases. Special interest of these benefits goes to the evidence that coffee may reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. With millions of US adults that are at high risk for type 2 diabetes, these potential benefits of coffee may be promising.
Coffee And Candida : The Concerns
In general, you may want to give up coffee and caffeinated beverages during the initial candida treatment. Coffee’s stimulant effect causes a fight-or-flight response in the body. Having this response on top of the stress caused by systemic candida overgrowth can intensify the symptoms. So you may feel worse.
Another concern with coffee and candida is fungal contamination. Some studies found that green coffee beans were contaminated with toxigenic fungal species. Since mycotoxins may be resistant to the roasting process, this suggests possible exposure to mycotoxins through consumption of coffee 1.
Mycotoxins are toxins produced by microfungi including the candida yeast fungi. Mycotoxins can cause disease in humans. The last thing you need when you already have candida overgrowth is more toxins.
The bottom line: If you are not a coffee drinker, there is no reason to start to drink coffee during the candida treatment. If you are looking for health natural energy boosters, see: alternatives.
If you enjoy drinking coffee, here’s what you need to know.
Who Can Drink Coffee With Candida?
Some people responds very well to coffee. If you are one of these people, you may find that drinking just one cup of coffee in the morning:
- Increase your energy.
- Make you feel good.
- Improve your brain function.
- Suppress your hunger or cravings for sweets.
- Experience a bowel movement minutes after drinking coffee. According to one study, caffeinated coffee was shown to stimulate colonic activity similar to a 1000 calories meal! 2
These are all amazing and unique benefits which are very hard to give away. If you are one of these people that coffee agrees with, you may want to keep drinking coffee in the morning, and see how you feel.
Coffee And Candida : Do It Right
Drinking coffee when you have candida or yeast infections however, may be different from drinking coffee at Starbucks. Here are a few important guidelines you should consider:
- Coffee doesn’t agree with all people.
If you notice that drinking coffee makes you jittery or cause other discomforts, reduce the amount, replace the coffee type or stop drinking coffee. According to research, some people may have a negative reaction to coffee and do not feel or get the benefits from it. - The quality of the coffee matters.
Prefer organic low-acid coffee. These are always mentioned on the label. Drinking high acidic or low quality coffee can actually damage your gut! - Mold & Mycotoxins Free.
Specifically tested and guaranteed by the manufacturer. We are still researching and testing for ideal sources. - Drink Black Coffee.
Do not add milk, cream or other dairy derived ingredients to your coffee. Is is best not add anything but water to your coffee. - Use coffee strategically.
Drink the minimum amount of coffee you need. Drinking large amount of coffee or several times a day may cause your body to get used to the coffee. This is where you get less benefits, become dependent on coffee, and may also experience side effects. - Avoid dehydration.
Increase your water consumption throughout the day to prevent dehydration.
Tip: If you like to add cream or sugar with your coffee, here are a few healthy alternatives:
- Sprinkle cinnamon.
- Add 1 teaspoon of coconut oil, just before you drink it. Do not boil or heat the oil.
- Add a little organic stevia to sweeten the coffee.
Both cinnamon and coconut oil have natural antifungal properties. If you have never combined them with your coffee before, try small amount and see how you feel.
Healthy Alternatives To Coffee
If you suffer from fatigue, low energy and stress symptoms, natural herbs such as ashwagandha, american ginseng and maca have shown to be very helpful. These herbs do not have stimulant effect like caffeine; when used correctly, you may feel long lasting “clean” energy for many hours. To enjoy the benefits and avoid potential reactions from low quality herbs, it is recommended to use organic or wild grown herbs from a trusted source.
Ginseng Fuzion is a good example we use in many of our protocols to promote energy, reduce stress, and support a state of well-being. Especially in these cases where you are highly sensitive and want to avoid stimulants.
Is Coffee A Natural Antifungal?
Coffee does have some natural antifungal properties. Research data however, suggests that coffee is a very weak antifungal 3. This means that coffee can kill candida, although the weak antifungal activity of coffee is not a reason to drink it. Especially considering that there are much stronger natural antifungal sources that were found in research to be very effective against candida.
Mycozil which we use in our natural protocol for candida and yeast infections, is a great example.
To learn more about natural antifungals for candida, see: antifungals.