Coffee is part of everyday life. Most of us begin our day with a cup of freshly brewed coffee. However, there are a few medications that do not go well with coffee. Medical experts say that there is a range of medicines that cannot be taken with coffee. Here is the list:

1. Antidepressants

Other antidepressants like clomipramine and imipramine are broken down by the same enzyme (called CYP1A2) as caffeine. So if you’re taking these medications with coffee, they may not be metabolised as quickly, which can lead to higher levels of the drug in your blood for a longer period. On the other hand, this interaction could increase the effects of caffeine, leaving you feeling jittery and restless.

2. Thyroid Medication

Hypothyroidism is a condition where your thyroid (a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck) doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones. Without adequate hormone levels, you may start to experience excessive tiredness, joint and muscle pain, depression or weight gain.

Bourgeois explains that the absorption of levothyroxine, used to treat hypothyroidism, can be significantly reduced by coffee. In fact, some studies found that it reduces your absorption of the medication by as much as 50%. “This may lead to inconsistent thyroid levels and persistent symptoms like fatigue or brain fog,” says Bourgeois. “That’s why patients are advised to wait 30 to 60 minutes before drinking coffee after taking thyroid medications."

3. Osteoporosis Medication

Medications used to treat osteoporosis, like risedronate and alendronate, shouldn’t be taken with coffee. “Whether it’s caffeinated, decaf or even just milk or juice, these can all reduce absorption due to how the medication binds and dissolves. The safest practice is always to take this medication with plain water only,” says Bourgeois.

4. Cold & Allergy Medications

Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) is a nasal decongestant that can be purchased over the counter to help treat a stuffy nose from the common cold or allergies. Like caffeine, pseudoephedrine is also a stimulant. So when taken together with coffee, it may compound the side effects, making you feel more jittery and restless.5 Those with diabetes should be extra cautious when consuming caffeine on this medication—some studies found that combining the two can raise blood sugar and increase body temperature.6

5. Antipsychotic Medication

People who take antipsychotic medications like phenothiazine, clozapine, haloperidol or olanzapine may need to adjust the timing of their morning coffee. Coffee can interfere with your body’s ability to metabolise these medications.

For example, clozapine competes with coffee to be broken down by liver enzymes. If the medication can’t be metabolised, it becomes less efficient. A study found that the plasma concentration of clozapine was increased by 97% after taking it with 2 to 3 cups of coffee (about 400 milligrams of caffeine).

6. Asthma Medication

If you have asthma, a condition that can make your airways inflamed and irritated, your health care provider may prescribe a bronchodilator like aminophylline or theophylline. These medications relax the muscles in your airways, making it easier to breathe. Common side effects of this medication include nausea, headache, restlessness and irritability. Consuming too much caffeine (from coffee, tea or energy drinks) can increase the side effects you may experience while taking this medication.

7. Blood Thinners

Blood-thinning medications are often recommended for those who may be at risk for blood clots after surgery or have certain heart or blood conditions. Since these medications prevent blood from clotting, the most common side effect is the risk of bleeding. Taking these medications with coffee is risky since the caffeine in coffee can also slow blood clotting, which further increases your risk of bleeding or bruising.

Magnesium supplements are everywhere. Whether you see it on pharmacy shelves or wellness blogs and social media where influencers who swear by them. You’ve probably heard someone claim that a daily magnesium tablet can help you sleep better, ease muscle cramps, or boost your mood. But do you actually need one, or is this just another wellness trend gone too far?

What Is Magnesium and Why Do We Need It?

Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body. It helps regulate muscle and nerve function, supports a healthy immune system, builds protein, maintains blood sugar and blood pressure levels, and aids in energy production.

Because the body doesn’t produce magnesium on its own, it must come from external sources such as food or supplements. The recommended daily intake varies: 310–420 mg for adults and 30–410 mg for children, depending on age and sex.

The good news? A balanced diet can easily meet these requirements. Magnesium-rich foods include nuts and seeds, leafy green vegetables, legumes, seafood, whole grains, and meat. Even dark chocolate can help, 100 grams of dark chocolate contains around 146 mg of magnesium.

Who Is at Risk of Magnesium Deficiency?

Most people get enough magnesium from food, but certain groups are more vulnerable to deficiency. These include people with gastrointestinal disorders such as Crohn’s disease or coeliac disease, those with type 2 diabetes, people who consume excessive alcohol, and older adults.

If you’re low on magnesium, you might notice symptoms such as muscle twitches, spasms, fatigue, low appetite, nausea, or an irregular heartbeat. However, the only way to confirm a deficiency is through a blood test prescribed by your doctor, which, in most cases, is covered by Medicare.

Can Magnesium Supplements Really Help?

Magnesium supplements are often promoted as a solution for muscle cramps, migraines, and insomnia. But do they actually work?

While magnesium deficiency can lead to cramps, most cases of muscle cramps are not due to low magnesium. Research shows limited evidence that supplements prevent cramps, especially in older adults.

The link between magnesium and better sleep is also unclear. Some studies found it helped people fall asleep faster, while others found no significant difference.

When it comes to migraines, evidence is stronger. Studies suggest that taking 122–600 mg of magnesium daily for 4–24 weeks may reduce the frequency and severity of migraines in some people.

Are Magnesium Supplements Safe?

In general, magnesium supplements are safe when taken in the recommended amounts. However, too much can lead to nausea, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea, because magnesium draws water into the intestines.

Taking extremely large doses (around 5,000 mg daily) can cause magnesium toxicity, which is dangerous. Always check with your doctor before starting supplements, especially if you take other medications.

Different Forms and What to Watch Out For

Magnesium is available in tablets, powders, and even topical forms like creams and bath salts. While these skin-based products may raise magnesium levels slightly, they’re less effective than oral supplements or food sources.

When buying supplements, check the label carefully. Most tablets contain 150–350 mg of magnesium, but formulations vary widely. Some also include additional nutrients like vitamins B6, C, or D, and minerals like calcium or manganese.

Be cautious with vitamin B6, high intake can cause nerve damage over time. If you already take a multivitamin containing B6, avoid magnesium supplements that also include it.

Milk is one of the most common items found in every household and is considered a wholesome food packed with calcium, protein, and vitamin D.

It plays an important role in maintaining strong bones, building muscles, and supporting overall health. Because of its nutritional richness, milk is often called a complete food. However, it is essential to ensure that the milk you consume is pure and free from adulteration. Contaminated or diluted milk can lose its nutritional value and even harm your health. Fortunately, there are simple methods you can try at home to find out whether your milk is pure or adulterated.

What Is Milk Adulteration?

Food adulteration is the intentional act of reducing the quality of food by mixing or replacing it with inferior substances, or by removing essential components. The same applies to milk. While contamination of food can happen accidentally during storage, transport, or distribution, adulteration is done deliberately for profit.

Milk adulteration involves adding materials such as water, urea, detergent, or other chemicals to increase volume or extend shelf life. This practice reduces the nutritional value and can pose serious health risks to consumers.

How To Check Milk Adulteration at Home

There are a few simple ways to check for adulteration using common items at home:

• Water Test: Pour a small amount of milk onto a slanted surface. Pure milk flows slowly, leaving a white trail, while milk mixed with water flows quickly and leaves little or no mark.
• Detergent Test: Shake equal parts of milk and water. Pure milk forms a light foam, whereas adulterated milk creates thick, soapy froth.
• Starch Test: Add a few drops of iodine solution to the milk. If it turns blue, starch has been added.
• Urea Test: Mix a small amount of milk with soybean powder and dip red litmus paper into it. If the paper turns blue, it indicates the presence of urea.

What Happens When You Consume Adulterated Milk

Regularly drinking adulterated milk can cause several health issues from short-term stomach discomfort to severe, long-term illnesses. The exact effects depend on what substance has been added, ranging from diluted water to harmful chemicals.

Immediate Health Effects

• Digestive problems: Contaminants like urea, detergent, or unclean water can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.
• Irritation and burning: Strong alkaline substances such as caustic soda may burn the mouth, throat, and digestive tract, damaging body tissues.
• Allergic reactions: Some chemical additives and impurities can trigger allergies, leading to rashes, itching, or breathing difficulty.

Long-Term Health Consequences

• Kidney damage: Chemicals like urea overwork the kidneys, increasing the risk of long-term damage or kidney failure.
• Liver problems: Preservatives such as formalin (formaldehyde) used to prolong milk’s freshness can harm the liver over time.
• Cancer risk: Long exposure to toxic compounds, including formalin and certain pesticides, has been linked to cancer.
• Heart disease: Artificial fats or vegetable oils added to milk can raise bad cholesterol, contributing to heart problems.
• Hormonal imbalance: Cattle injected with hormones like oxytocin can pass traces into milk, disrupting natural hormone levels in humans.
• Weakened immunity: Consuming impure milk regularly can weaken the immune system, making you more prone to infections.
• Nutritional deficiency: When milk is diluted or its nutrients are replaced with cheaper additives, it loses its health benefits. This is especially harmful for children, as it can affect their growth and development.

A common vegetable has been found to help reduce blood pressure in older adults, according to a new study. Beetroot juice can lower blood pressure in people aged 60 and above by targeting certain potentially harmful bacteria in the mouth. Researchers at the University of Exeter studied how younger and older adults responded to beetroot juice, which is rich in dietary nitrates. These nitrates are converted by the body into nitric oxide, a compound that relaxes and widens blood vessels, helping to lower blood pressure.

How the Study Tested Beetroot Juice on Younger and Older Adults

The study included 39 adults under the age of 30 and 36 adults in their 60s and 70s. For two weeks, each group received shots of beetroot juice. After a two-week break, during which participants used antiseptic mouthwash daily, they were given a placebo juice without nitrates for another two weeks.

Researchers analyzed the bacteria in participants’ mouths using gene sequencing. In both groups, the oral microbiome—the community of microorganisms in the mouth—changed after drinking nitrate-rich juice, though the effects were different depending on age. In older adults, there was a reduction in common bacteria that can sometimes cause infections and an increase in bacteria that support health. The older participants also showed lower blood pressure after two weeks of drinking the nitrate-rich juice.

Professor Andy Jones of the University of Exeter said, “This study shows that nitrate-rich foods can change the oral microbiome in ways that may reduce inflammation and lower blood pressure in older adults. This opens the door for larger studies to examine how lifestyle factors and biological sex affect responses to dietary nitrate supplements.”

Can A Person Drink Beet Juice While Taking Blood Pressure Medication?

It may be possible to drink beet juice while taking blood pressure medications. However, it’s important to consult a doctor before making any changes to a treatment plan for high blood pressure.

A doctor can advise whether combining beet juice with blood pressure medication could lower blood pressure too much. If this happens, a person may experience symptoms such as:

• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Blurry vision
• Fainting
• Confusion
• Weakness or tiredness
• Headache
• Back or neck pain
• Heart palpitations
• Nausea

Low blood pressure (hypotension) can be serious. If someone experiences severe symptoms that do not improve when sitting or lying down, they should seek immediate medical attention.

Does Eating Beets Lower Blood Pressure?

Eating beets may help reduce blood pressure, but most research has focused on beet juice rather than whole beets.

Currently, there isn’t enough scientific evidence to confirm that eating beets has the same effect as drinking beet juice.

If someone wants to explore dietary changes to manage their blood pressure, it’s best to consult a doctor before making adjustments.