Coffee ranks among the most frequently consumed beverages worldwide. There is a widespread consensus among medical experts that it is also among the healthiest.
For some individuals, it is the single most abundant source of antioxidants in their diet, surpassing the total amount of antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables combined.
7 Ways to Make Your Coffee Healthy
Here are some suggestions for taking your coffee from being healthy to being extremely healthy.
1. Choose a Quality Brand
Depending on the growing conditions and processing technique, coffee beans can have rather different qualities.
Coffee beans typically receive sprays of synthetic insecticides and other chemicals never intended for human consumption.
Nonetheless, pesticides in food have debatable health impacts. There isn’t much proof right now that a small amount of them in food is harmful.
All the same, if you’re concerned about the pesticide content of your coffee, consider purchasing organic coffee beans. The synthetic pesticides should be far less common.
2. Never add sugar to your coffee.
Despite its general health benefits, coffee can turn into anything negative.
The best way to do that is to add a ton of sugar. Undoubtedly, one of the worst components of the contemporary diet is added sugar.
Sugar has been linked to a number of major illnesses, including diabetes and obesity, mainly due to its high fructose content.
If you can’t imagine your life without one in your coffee, use stevia or another natural sweetener.
You may cut your added sugar consumption even more in a number of ways. I’ve included 14 more tactics here.
No Caffeine After 2 P.M.
Coffee is one of the diet’s most abundant natural caffeine sources. One of the main reasons coffee is so popular is because it contains caffeine, a stimulant. It helps you stay awake when you’re tired and provides a boost of vitality.
However, coffee consumption in the late afternoon can disrupt sleep. Inadequate sleep leads to numerous health issues.
Consequently, it’s crucial to avoid coffee consumption in the late afternoon. If you have to, go for decaf coffee or have a cup of tea instead, which is significantly lower in caffeine than coffee.
It’s a good idea to avoid coffee after 2:30 or 3 p.m. However, not everyone reacts to caffeine in the same way, and some people may still sleep well after consuming coffee late in the day.
Still, skipping coffee in the afternoon can be a good tactic if you think you could get a better night’s sleep.
There are numerous different methods to enhance the quality of your sleep. For further advice based on science, read this article.
4. Avoid Drinking
A moderate amount of coffee is good for you, but drinking too much may make the effects less noticeable.
Too much coffee can have a number of bad effects, though each person is different in how sensitive they are to them. Health Canada says that your daily dose shouldn’t be more than 1.1 mg per pound (2.5 mg per kg) of body weight.
A typical cup of coffee has about 95 mg of caffeine, which means that a person who weighs 176 pounds (80 kg) would need to drink about two cups of coffee every day.
On the other hand, most people don’t have any bad effects when they drink 400–600 mg of caffeine per day, which is about 4–6 cups.
Read this piece to learn more about how much caffeine is present in different coffee drinks.
It’s all about weighing the pros and cons of drinking coffee. Pay attention to your body, and don’t eat or drink more than you can handle.
5. Include Some Cinnamon to Your Coffee
Cinnamon is a delectable spice that complements the flavor of coffee exceptionally well.
Studies have shown that cinnamon lowers triglycerides, cholesterol, and blood glucose levels in diabetics.
To impart flavor, consider incorporating a small amount of cinnamon. It is unexpectedly excellent.
To minimize the likelihood of negative consequences, whenever possible, choose Ceylon cinnamon over the more widely used Cassia cinnamon.
6. Add Some Cocoa to Your Coffee
Cocoa’s high antioxidant content has numerous health benefits, including a reduced risk of cardiac disease. Incorporate a small amount of cocoa powder into your coffee to enhance its flavor.
Numerous coffeehouses offer caffè mocha, which is a flavored variation of caffè latte that contains chocolate. However, sugar often enhances caffè mocha. Making your own at home is simple and eliminates the need for added sugar.
7. Avoid Low-Fat and Artificial Creamers
Artificial and low-fat commercial creamers are frequently formulated with ingredients that are subject to scrutiny due to their processed nature.
On the health effects of nondairy coffee creamers, however, little research has been conducted. Some brands may contain substances that are less desirable for health.
Natural, whole foods are, however, the more favorable option in general. Consider substituting full-fat cream, preferable procured from grass-fed cows, for non-dairy creamers in your coffee.
Critical nutrients are present in milk products, according to studies. Dairy, for instance, may reduce the risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures due to its high calcium content. Vitamin K, which is also associated with enhanced bone health, is also present in grass-fed cow’s milk.
The bottom line
The stimulating properties of coffee have made it a popular beverage. Significant coffee consumption provides numerous health benefits. However, there are numerous ways to further enhance these benefits.
Above all else, prevent added sugar from entering your coffee. You may substitute a pinch of cocoa or cinnamon to impart flavor to your coffee.
Additionally, coffee may hinder the quality of your sleep, so avoid consuming it in the late afternoon and evening. By following the aforementioned guidelines, you can make a cup of coffee more nutritious.