Coffee and Autoimmune Disease (2024)

FAQs

Can coffee help autoimmune disease? ›

Protection against autoimmune diseases

Comparatively, within the acquired immune system, the caffeine content within coffee potentially suppresses the proliferation of Th1 and Th2 cells. As a result, coffee can reduce the damage caused by the release of cytokines due to overactive T- and B-cells.

The first thing to consider if you have autoimmune issues, is that coffee is a seed. If you are following a strict Autoimmune Protocol, seeds are cut out of the diet for a period of time, and then reintroduced. Therefore, you would want to remove coffee for the first few weeks, along with any other seeds.

There's no perfect drink for people with autoimmune diseases. However, polyphenol-rich dry red wine and clear liquors mixed with soda waters or lower sugar swaps, like some green juices, are your friends. Hard kombuchas with no added sugar also go down easy and support your gut with probiotics.

Some common autoimmune diseases, including Type 1 diabetes mellitus, are relatively easy to diagnose, while others, such as vasculitis, Addison's disease, lupus, and other rheumatic diseases, are more difficult.

The exact cause of autoimmune disorders is unknown. One theory is that some microorganisms (such as bacteria or viruses) or drugs may trigger changes that confuse the immune system. This may happen more often in people who have genes that make them more prone to autoimmune disorders.

1. Vitamin D. Even if you live in a warm climate and get plenty of sunlight, your vitamin D levels could be less than optimal. This is particularly problematic for autoimmune patients because vitamin D plays a critical role in your immune system.

However, some research has suggested that eating foods like fruits, fish, and whole grains may benefit people with autoimmune conditions.

Tea. This is likely the simplest and most apparent option to try. During your elimination phase, you might replace coffee herbal tea options like rooibos, peppermint, and chamomile. All are excellent herbal teas that have added benefits for your body too!

Some of the foods to avoid that are known to affect the immune system in people with autoimmune diseases include: Nightshade vegetables like potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants. Grains like wheat, rice, oats, rye, barley, and foods made from grains such as breakfast cereals, bread, pasta.

Examples of foods you can eat while on the AIP diet include: Vegetables that aren't nightshade vegetables like cucumbers, spinach, sweet potatoes and zucchini. Fresh fruits like apples, oranges, mangos, strawberries, bananas and blueberries.

What is the best exercise for autoimmune disease? ›

Consider exercises like walking on the treadmill, yoga, Pilates, weight training, low-impact circuit training and swimming. Add in cardio and aerobics which fit your ability levels such as rowing, stationary bike or outdoor cycling, step climbing, elliptical and dance.

Coffee is a primary source of polyphenols in our diet, and these antioxidant compounds exert beneficial anti-inflammatory effects in most people. You can definitely drop any guilt you had over your morning joe, but do keep tabs on your overall intake to fully reap coffee's benefits.

Caffeine has also been reported to suppress human lymphocyte function as indicated by reduced T-cell proliferation and impaired production of Th1 (interleukin [IL]-2 and interferon [IFN]-gamma), Th2 (IL-4, IL-5) and Th3 (IL-10) cytokines. Studies also indicate that caffeine suppresses antibody production.

Though we all want strong, robust immune systems, “boosting” or “strengthening” the immune system isn't particularly desirable. In fact, autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis occur when the immune system over-reacts and attacks healthy tissue in the body.