Over the last decade, coffee culture has boomed all over the world. Some people may even argue that it’s become an essential part of life—and they’d likely be right. Whether you enjoy your daily flat white or can’t get enough of lattes with a dash of cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon, the chances are, you’re part of the coffee crew.
Indeed, as coffee has become increasingly popular, the ways that it can be prepared and served have evolved and transformed too. Gone are the days of a simple, “I’ll have a cup of coffee, please.” These days, whether you’re at a café in a bustling city or a coffee franchise in a remote town, the options are seemingly endless.
Along with an increase in innovation within the industry, however, there’s been a growing sentiment that coffee is, in fact, bad for you. The idea is that consuming caffeine on a daily basis does more harm than good.
However, we’re here to set the record straight.
Is Coffee Bad For You?
The truth is, coffee in itself isn’t necessarily bad for you. Rather, it’s how you prepare it and how much you choose to consume that counts. If you moderate your intake and limit the other things you add to it, coffee can actually be good for you.
Here are 8 ways to make your coffee super healthy.
1- Drink Less Coffee
Life is all about moderation, whether it’s exercise, diet or just about anything else, and your approach to drinking coffee should be the same. Everybody’s different, but on average, one cup of coffee a day is optimal. However, if you feel you just have to have more, two cups won’t kill you, but that should be your limit for the day. Any more and you can create the perfect environment for anxiety to flourish and other health issues like insomnia to arise.
2- Stop Drinking Coffee After 2pm
Coffee is a stimulant. The caffeine will give you energy and help keep you awake longer than you would normally be able to. Naturally, if you drink coffee late in the afternoon or in the evening, your ability to sleep is bound to be affected, and a lack of sleep can lead to a number of health issues.
A good general rule to follow is to avoid coffee after 2pm. Of course, sensitivity to caffeine varies from person to person. You may feel a slight buzz after having a cup at 5pm, while it may send your partner reeling and ruining any chances of a healthy, good night’s sleep. Therefore, you have to gauge the effects for yourself, but the overall idea of limiting your coffee intake later in the day is one to take note of.
3- Don’t Add Mounds of Sugar or Cream
It may seem fairly obvious, but adding loads of sugar, cream or any other tasty things to your coffee will reduce its health benefits significantly. If you absolutely need something sweet, try a natural alternative such as stevia. Even so, avoid using too much—all in moderation, remember?
The same goes for cream or milk. If you feel you need it, add a dash, but don’t go overboard.
4- Add Collagen Powder to Your Coffee
Collagen powder is the new hip thing these days—excuse the pun—and the best part is that you can add it to just about anything. Add a spoonful of collagen powder to your daily cup of coffee and allow it to contribute to your bone and joint health. Plus, it also benefits your skin too and can slow down the signs of aging.
Mixing it with your coffee provides you with an easy way of consuming collagen powder. Best of all, it dissolves easily, and you won’t taste a thing!
5- Consider Drinking Black Coffee or Switching to a Dairy Alternative
The first prize, health-wise, is to make the transition to black coffee. This is a great tip if you’re conscious of your calorie intake or if dairy simply doesn’t agree with you. It may be bitter at first, but you’re sure to get used to the bold taste.
However, if you just can’t take the flavor of plain, black coffee, why not try a milk alternative? Almond milk has been shown to be the healthiest, containing the fewest calories per serving. In addition, it also boasts a tasty nutty flavor that many argue is the most similar to ordinary milk and shouldn’t overwhelm your tastebuds.
6- Drink Coffee With Food
If you find that coffee tends to upset your stomach, enjoying a cup alongside something to eat can make the world of difference. Whether it’s with your breakfast or a quick cereal bar in the morning, this trick can help you avoid getting the jitters or a funny tummy.
Often, the reason for coffee making you feel a little off or well is its acidity. This is why pairing it with food or even just a dash of almond milk is a good idea. Alternatively, you can opt for a brand with low acidity levels.
7- Choose Hot Coffee Over Iced Alternatives
Iced coffee, whether it’s plain black coffee with ice or a beverage full of sugar, spice and everything nice, actually isn’t quite as good for you as hot coffee. If you’re avoiding all the unhealthy additives, it’s not bad. However, it seems as if hot coffee releases more antioxidants than cool coffee.
Antioxidants contribute to the replenishment of cells in your body and work to neutralize free radicals.
8- Know Your Ingredients
Not everyone can be an expert, but you can learn a bit about coffee quite easily. You can taste different coffees, try new ways of drinking the beverage, and read up a bit on the brands you buy. It’s also a good idea to have a look at the ingredients in your coffee before you make a purchase. Look out for the use of pesticides on coffee beans. If you’d like to stay clear of pesticides altogether, try organic brands. They ought to contain far lower levels of synthetic pesticides.
Final Thoughts
Clearly, coffee isn’t necessarily super unhealthy on its own. It all comes down to how much you consume and how you consume it. If you follow our tips and tricks, you enjoy your coffee without worrying about your health.
Author Bio
As an editor, Ellen Klein covers topics such as financial management and risk management, as well as health-related topics. She’s a realist and believes that planning for life’s unknowns is best. When she’s not busy with volunteer social work, she can be found scribbling away at her keyboard.
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