Drink Coffee the Healthy Way, Here’s How
Coffee is good for drinking, as proven by various studies over the years as well as by the people who have devotedly taken their morning fix each day. In the previous post, we’ve talked about how your method of brewing coffee can affect the health benefits you get with each cup. In this one, we’ll delve deeper on how you can make sure that your coffee drinking habits will lead to good health – and not the other way.
Go for quality and choose organic
The processing method used in producing your beans, including the way they were grown, can greatly affect the benefits you get with each cup. Make sure to check for the product’s quality and choose only organic beans. Do research on the beans’ production, as some products may be laced with pesticides and other harmful chemicals and toxins that are not good for the human body.
Keep it sugar-free
Coffee has a lot of benefits, but you won’t be able to enjoy these things if you load your drink with sugar and other add-ons. The high level of fructose in sugar can be very harmful for you, leading to such diseases as obesity and diabetes. If you still feel the need to sweeten up your drink, look for other types of natural sweeteners with healthier organic content.
Steer clear of artificial sweeteners
You may be cutting down on your sugar intake by opting for artificial sweeteners, but in the end it may not be such a good idea after all. There have been studies linking them to a number of health issues.
Drinking coffee on its own is always the best choice, but you can still look for organic sweeteners that will not affect your health adversely. For a start, cinnamon is a good alternative, as it has been known to lower cholesterol and blood glucose. Plus, it tastes really good with coffee as a way of adding more flavour.
Cocoa is also another good option, as it is loaded with natural antioxidants that help in reducing the risk for heart diseases. Try organic and unsweetened cocoa in your coffee for a dash of flavour.
Avoid low-fat creamers and other artificial add-ons
Just like sugar, artificial creamers, including low-fat ones, can be very harmful for you. These can come loaded with highly processed ingredients that are unnatural and ultimately unhealthy. Such harmful substances include corn syrup that is high in fructose as well as trans fat and many others. Opt instead for full cream that comes naturally from cows, which is shown to help in reducing the risk of obesity.
Brew with paper filters
When you brew coffee, substances called diterpenes seep out to the drink from the beans, which can be harmful and can cause an upsurge in the blood’s cholesterol levels. Using paper filters in your brewing process would be an effective way to sieve them out and let the healthier antioxidants and caffeine through.
The 2 p.m. rule
Sure, coffee is irresistibly aromatic and enticing, which makes people want to drink it all day long. But you need to keep in mind that the caffeine in your drink is a stimulant. While this factor helps keep us alert and energetic, keeping the sleepiness away, this can also end up causing problems in our sleep. Drinking coffee later in the day, after about 2 p.m., does just that.
Later in the afternoon, if you’re still craving for something warm to drink, consider milder stuff such as tea. Tea has much milder caffeine content and can help you wind down after a long day instead of rousing you up the way coffee does. Of course, this rule will have to take into account your usual bedtime and how tolerant you are to caffeine.
Coffee is a healthy drink, yes, but just like many things, there are several aspects that need to be taken into consideration. One of which is moderation, among other things. With the steps outlined here, you can enjoy your favourite coffee brew without undue harmful effects to your health.