Is coffee killing your voice?
Ah, Caffeine. Society’s most normalized addiction
I’m sure caffeine needs no introduction. I like many others started the day with a cup o joe or perhaps downed an energy drink to keep on chugging through a long day. Recently I’ve conducted some very non-scientific tests to see how it affects me and long story short, I found that my vocal fatigue was much worse at the conclusion of a day.
I used to work at a Vitamin Shoppe and we sold ALOT of caffeine. Energy Drinks, caffeine pills and pre workout powders were certainly some of the best sellers and I used to consume around 400mg (4 cups of coffee worth) daily with how tasty some drinks were and with the good ole employee discounts we got.
Whether you're a professional singer, voice over artist, public speaker, or just someone who enjoys a good conversation, the health of your voice is crucial. You might already know that factors like hydration, diet, and sleep can affect your voice, but what about caffeine? That's right, the same substance that keeps you alert and focused can also have an impact on your vocal cords.
How does caffeine work? Caffeine is a stimulant that affects the central nervous system, increasing alertness and reducing fatigue. It keeps you going through the daily grind by blocking the neurotransmitter adenosine, which normally helps us feel sleepy. When adenosine is blocked, other neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine become more active, leading to increased energy and focus. These effects can be useful in many situations, but they can also affect the voice.
One of the primary ways that caffeine affects the voice is by dehydrating the body. Caffeine is a diuretic, meaning it increases urine output and can lead to dehydration if not balanced by enough water intake. When the body is dehydrated, the vocal cords become dry and stiff, which can lead to hoarseness, cracking, or other vocal problems. Additionally, caffeine can cause acid reflux, which can further irritate the vocal cords and lead to a sore throat or coughing.
Caffeine can affect the voice is by increasing muscle tension. Caffeine stimulates the release of adrenaline, which can cause muscles to tighten up. The same chemical that keeps you alive in a tense situation and keeps your neighbors annoyed when you’re yelling at the top of your lungs when your team scores or you get dropped in a video game. This tension can affect the muscles in the throat and neck, which are crucial for proper voice production. When these muscles are tight, it can be harder to control the pitch, volume, and clarity of your voice. So what should you do?
Stay hydrated (Who would’ve guessed!?) Drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially if you're consuming caffeine. This will help keep your vocal cords hydrated and flexible. At the Vitamin Shoppe, the amount of complaints I would get from customers who just needed some more water throughout the day was staggering. Hydration can help with many other health related things.
Use a humidifier. A humidifier can add moisture to the air and help prevent your vocal cords from becoming dry and stiff
