Dear Smile E.
I read somewhere that coffee should be avoided with respiratory disease. And then on one of the Turtle Talk Café Facebook group’s nutritional post that caffeine was okay and actually a bronchodilator. I’m confused, which is it? Should I give up coffee or not?
Signed,
Coffee Drinking PCDer
Dear Coffee Drinking PCDer,
My best advice is to discuss this with your medical team to ensure that you are doing what is right for your exact medical needs and health history. It is true that the caffeine has a variety of pharmacological effects. It’s a weak natural bronchodilator which is said to improve airways function for up to four hours after consumption, and caffeine is also said to reduce respiratory fatigue. It’s is also chemically related to theophylline, which is a drug used to treat asthma. Some people even claim it can increase your lung function, some say immediately and others say the effect happens over time. This claim of increased lung function has little scientific evidence to back it up.
With all that being said, One case-control study in 2018 found a higher risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with coffee consumption. However a majority of studies ultimately concluded that coffee consumption can help ease breathlessness, increase lung function, effect pulmonary function test results, and lower the morbidity in respiratory patients. As always it’s ultimately up to you and your medical team to chose the lifestyle that best fits your exact health needs.
Yours Truly,
Smile E. Turtle
Do you have a question for Smile E.?
Please EMAIL your questions to;
And tune in next Sunday to read the latest Ask Smile E.
Join our Facebook group Turtle Talk Café today, click here.
We have several ways that you can donate to PCD Smiles;
- Visit Smile E. Turtle's Amazon Wishlist
- For more information on how you can donate, please visit our "Donation" page to check out our "Do & Don't policies.
- Or sponsor a PCD Smiles cheer package today!
- To shop for your “Official” turtle care ribbon gear today, visit PCD Style or Smile E. Cove
Thank you for your consideration!
