How Coffee Affects People with a Chronic Lung Condition

For many people—85% of Americans —caffeine is a daily ritual, from a warm, aromatic cup of coffee to start the day to a square of chocolate at the end of a long one.¹

Caffeine is a stimulant naturally found in fruit, coffee beans, cacao, and guarana plants ². These sources make popular, energizing foods and drinks, including coffee, tea, soda, and chocolate.

A moderate amount of caffeine may offer certain health benefits, such as improved cognitive function and alertness and long-term memory support ³. However, caffeine can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression, headaches, and insomnia ⁴.

This article will examine the connection between bronchiectasis and coffee and what to know if you’re navigating a chronic lung condition.

Caffeine and Your Lungs

Because caffeine is a stimulant, it can increase blood pressure and breathing rates ⁵.

If you or a loved one is living with a chronic lung condition, such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), bronchiectasis, or even asthma, this may make you wonder: “Is coffee bad for my lungs?”

The answer isn’t as clear-cut as you may think.

Is Coffee a Bronchodilator?

One study found that caffeine may work as a weak bronchodilator, which means it can help open the airways in your lungs, which in turn can help reduce respiratory muscle fatigue ⁶.

“Caffeine has a similar action to the medication theophylline, which is sometimes prescribed to treat asthma. They both relax the smooth muscles of the lungs and open up bronchial tubes, which can improve breathing” ⁷.

Another study reported that drinking coffee daily reduced participants’ asthma-related symptoms by 29% ⁸.

COPD and Caffeine

When it comes to COPD and other significantly caffeinated food and drinks, it’s important to know how caffeine could impact certain COPD medications or medications used to treat constricted lungs and airways ⁹. This can include certain antibiotics and bronchodilators ¹⁰. Talk to your clinician if you’re concerned about how caffeine might interfere with your current treatment plan.

Bronchiectasis and Coffee

Beyond how coffee and other caffeinated foods may interfere with specific medications, it’s also worth noting that caffeinated beverages have a mild diuretic effect, especially when consumed in large quantities.

“Significantly high levels of caffeine intake may contribute to dehydration by stimulating the body to release more liquid than usual” ¹¹.

We’ve discussed the importance of staying hydrated when living with a chronic lung condition such as COPD or bronchiectasis. As you probably know, these conditions make it difficult for the lungs to mobilize and clear mucus independently. Water helps thin and loosen mucus, so it’s easier to move and cough out ¹². Staying hydrated can also reduce respiratory infections and help to improve lung function. ¹³

While caffeinated beverages technically contribute to your daily fluid intake, water is a more effective way to stay hydrated and nourish your body. Water helps your body fight infection, supplies it with essential nutrients, and keeps organs functioning properly ¹³.

While caffeine can offer alertness, it can also cause the heart to race or contribute to irregular heartbeats ¹⁴. This, in turn, will affect other vital organs, including your lungs and how you breathe. If you or a loved one is navigating a chronic lung condition, this is something to keep an eye on.

So, Is Coffee Bad for Your Bronchiectasis?

More research will need to be conducted to accurately determine whether bronchiectasis and coffee or COPD and coffee have a positive (or negative) relationship.

Regardless of what that answer ends up being, we recommend talking to your clinician about whether or not caffeine products will interfere with medications that are helping to manage your condition. You might also consider asking if there’s a limit to how much caffeine they think you should consume on a daily basis.

In addition, choose beverages and foods that reduce mucus buildup and help you stay hydrated to avoid a respiratory infection and worsening of chronic symptoms.

Beyond a clear understanding of which foods, drinks, and activities to avoid or limit when living with bronchiectasis or COPD, you’ll also want to ensure you’re actively managing your condition with the right airway clearance treatment. That’s where SmartVest comes in!

SmartVest is a high-frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) therapy device you wear like a vest. With rapidly repeating air pulses, it gently squeezes and releases your upper chest wall with 360° chest coverage. This treatment helps loosen and propel mucus upward, where it can be coughed out more easily.

Make SmartVest Part of Your Home Therapy Routine

Learn t how SmartVest can help you prevent mucus buildup so you can enjoy airway clearance therapy in the comfort of your home. Request an informational packet.

If you have questions, we’d love to chat! Contact one of our Patient Care Advocates for a discussion about putting SmartVest into your treatment plan. Schedule a time to chat or call at (800) 462-1045.

Resources

[1] National Library of Medicine. “Beverage caffeine intakes in the U.S” Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24189158/

[2] The Nutrition Source. “Caffeine.” Retrieved from https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/caffeine/

[3] Medical News Today. “What does caffeine do to your body?” Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/285194

[4] Medical News Today. “What does caffeine do to your body?” Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/285194

[5] Princeton. “Caffeine.” Retrieved from https://uhs.princeton.edu/health-resources/caffeine

[6] National Library of Medicine. “Caffeine for Asthma.” Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11687099/

[7] The Nutrition Source. “Caffeine.” Retrieved from https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/caffeine/

[8] Jocksci. “Caffeine Intake and Asthma Symptoms.” Retrieved from https://docksci.com/caffeine-intake-and-asthma-symptoms_5e86be9a097c4723378b458a.html

[9] Cleveland Clinic. “Nutritional Guidelines for People with COPD.” Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9451-nutritional-guidelines-for-people-with-copd

[10] Medical News Today. “What does caffeine do to your body?” Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/285194#risks

[11] Medical News Today. “Dehydrating drinks: Caffeine, sugar, and other ingredients.” Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/dehydrating-drinks#Caffeinated-drinks

[12] Lung Health Institute. “Staying Hydrated with COPD.” Retrieved from https://centersforrespiratoryhealth.com/blog/staying-hydrated-with-copd/

[13] Lung Health Institute. “Staying Hydrated with COPD.” Retrieved from https://centersforrespiratoryhealth.com/blog/staying-hydrated-with-copd/

[13] Harvard T.H. Chan. School of Public Health. “The Importance of Hydration.” Retrieved from https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hsph-in-the-news/the-importance-of-hydration/

[14] Cleveland Clinic. “Caffeine: How to Hack It and How to Quit It”. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/15496-caffeine-how-to-hack-it-and-how-to-quit-it