Your Mood Swings and Your Morning Coffee
Photo: Darren Muir via Stocksy
Coffee is amazing at first sip, right? Smells so good, your neurons spark electricity, and she works her magic. But then you do it day after day, and you realize that “8 oz” was 16 oz all along, and you're more anxious, irritable, and sufficing with just a scone. Will you really want another?
Ok, now don't hate me, but that morning cup of coffee might be doing more than just waking you up—it could be secretly influencing your mood and energy throughout your cycle.
The Caffeine-Mineral Connection you really need to know about!
While that delicious cup of coffee gives you an immediate energy boost, it's simultaneously depleting your body's magnesium stores. Think of magnesium as your body's natural calm button—it helps regulate mood, reduce anxiety, gives you healthy bowels, and keeps those hormones in check.
When caffeine causes your body to excrete more magnesium through urine, it can trigger a cascade of PMS symptoms you might not have connected to your coffee habit like…
Increased irritability and mood swings
Heightened anxiety and tension
More intense period cramps
Disrupted sleep patterns
Stronger sugar cravings
The Magnesium-PMS Connection
Magnesium is my favorite mineral and is needed in over 300 processes in the body, and such a crucial player in your hormonal orchestra. During your cycle, magnesium levels naturally fluctuate, and when they drop too low, PMS symptoms can intensify dramatically.
In love with magnesium and everyone should replenish it, Here's why:
Helps produce serotonin, your "happy hormone"
Regulates cortisol, your stress hormone
Supports healthy progesterone production
Reduces inflammation that can worsen period pain
A Special Coffee Note for Perimenopausal Women 40+
During perimenopause, your relationship with caffeine becomes even more complex. While the pro's of caffeine during perimenopause can help combat fatigue, boost metabolism, prevent against cognitive decline, and support exercise performance, it can also:
Intensify hot flashes and night sweats
Increase anxiety during hormonal fluctuations
Worsen sleep disruptions, which are already common
Contribute to bone density loss due to increased mineral excretion
Making Coffee Work For You, Not Against You
Ok - you can love me again because —you don't have to break up with coffee! The key is strategic timing and moderation throughout your cycle and life stage. Here are two ways to make it work:
Front-load caffeine intake before noon, ultra sensi? make it 10am 🫡 and eat protein & fat before heading to your coffee.
Create a New Morning Ritual: The Burdock Cacao Tonic
Ready for a GAME-CHANGING alternative? This Burdock Cacao Tonic delivers sustained energy without the mineral depletion. This nourishing drink:
Provides natural energy through mineral-rich cacao
Supports liver function to help breakdown excess hormones
Offers a grounding, satisfying morning ritual
Tastes incredibly rich and satisfying
Food is you ally and can make a huge impact on your total wellbeing. That’s why it’s the #1 subject I teach in Femme Balance | Cycle Wisdom…so you can live your life and eat your cake too!
