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- The Benefits of Drinking Coffee
- Is it bad to drink too much coffee?
- Nutrients in Coffee
- Add Spices to you Coffee
The Jittery Joys: An In-Depth Look at the Pros and Cons of Drinking Coffee
Whether you’re a fan of a sweet and creamy cappuccino or a devotee of the classic espresso shot, you can take comfort in knowing you’re part of a worldwide tribe. After all, millions of people around the world, including professional baristas and world-renowned chefs, are on the same journey of aromatic discovery as you. Each and every day, we come together to appreciate the delectable power of the humble bean.
But as with most things in life, there are pros and cons to drinking coffee. In this blog, we’ll be exploring both sides of the story, so you can make a more informed decision about what’s best for you. After all, finding the perfect balance is what's about so you can make the most of every cup!
The Benefits of Drinking Coffee
Coffee is filled with antioxidents, nutrients, and is a great way to help focus your mind.
Coffee has a range of benefits that makes it a great choice as part of a healthy lifestyle. Let’s explore the amazing rejuvenating powers these magic beans provide:
- Energy boost and focused mind - Coffee contains caffeine, a stimulant that helps to increase alertness, focus, and energy. Therefore, it is a great way to fuel productivity by helping during long work hours, or providing a much-needed boost for a morning workout. It can also be used to stave off fatigue or the common mid-afternoon slump many people fall victim to.
- Healthy antioxidants - these compounds can have numerous health benefits, such as reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, as well as protecting against certain types of disease. Coffee is known to contain more antioxidants than other plant-based beverages, such as tea.
- Positive impact on mental health - studies have shown that moderate consumption of caffeine can help improve mood, reduce stress levels, and provide relief from depression and anxiety. Many people also relish the social aspects of coffee and the feeling of camaraderie that drinking it in a cafe or with friends provides.
- Important source of vitamins - coffee can contain crucial vitamins and minerals the body needs, such as calcium, magnesium, and B vitamins. As a result, it can help contribute to healthy bones, strong teeth and nails, and improved mental clarity.
- Low in calories - With the calorie count not being as high as some would expect, a cup of coffee can be an easy substitution for sugary drinks. This can help to reduce overall calorie intake, as well as decrease the risk of obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.
- Burns fat and glucose - That's right! Caffeine helps with your metabolic and as such in the breakdown of fat. In return, this also helps reduce the risk of Type 2 Diabestes.
- Helps reduce the risk of Parkinson's Disease - There has been evidence that strongly link regular caffeine intake (even up to 4 cups of coffee a day) to reducing the risk of Parkinson's Disease by five-fold.
The Downsides of Drinking Too Much Coffee Regularly
Everything has its flaws, including coffee, as consuming it a lot of it regularly (more than 4 cups of coffee a day) can lead to adverse health effects.
- Some health problems if consumed in excess- excess consumption of coffee (regularly having more than 4 cups of coffee a day) can cause insomnia, headaches, restlessness, dehydration and high blood pressure.
- Don't drink on an empty stomach - it has been shown that drinking coffee on an empty stomach can lead to an increase in gastric acid production, which can ultimately lead to a number of gastrointestinal issues in the long-term.
Nutrients in Coffee
While primarily known for its caffeine content, there are also other numerous nutrients beneficial to us. These nutrients include antioxidants such as polyphenols and caffeic acid, essential minerals such as magnesium, calcium, and potassium. It is also a great source of B vitamins, including B1, B2, B3, and B9.
Like Coffee, Each Person is Different
The amount of coffee one can consume in a day varies based on caffeine tolerance and lifestyle. Some people may be able to consume up to four or five cups of coffee a day without feeling overly jittery or irritable, while others could feel the effects after just one cup. The American Pregnancy Association cautions pregnant women to limit caffeine consumption to no more than 200 milligrams per day, which is equivalent to two small cups of coffee. Health experts also recommend that people take breaks between coffee consumption to avoid becoming oversensitive to the effects of caffeine. Ultimately, it's best to experiment with different amounts in order to find the perfect quantity that works best for you.
Add Spices To Your Coffee
Adding spices is an increasingly popular way to make a unique and flavorful cup of coffee. They offer a healthier alternative to caramel, mocha, or chai lattes, for example, without relying on syrup or sugar. Spices like cinnamon, allspice, cardamom, nutmeg, and ginger all offer an incredible depth of flavour. Cinnamon and allspice add a hint of warmth and are often perfectly balanced with the bitterness of coffee, while cardamom and nutmeg provide an earthy yet sweet taste. Lastly, ginger offers a spicy note that can truly elevate a cup of coffee to the next level.
All of these spices bring their own range of anitoxidants and nutrient essential for us to live a healthy life.
Try these alternatives to sugar. for coffee for an even healthier coffee.
Find Your Perfect Balance
Overall, drinking coffee can has more positive effects on the body while the cons only come to play when coffee is had in excess on a regular basis. If you do choose to consume coffee with sweeteners or flavourings, look for options with low added sugar and fewer calories so that you get the maximum benefits while limiting the risks of over-consumption, and try adding in some spices!
Many coffee drinkers find that one or two cups a day provide a great boost, while enjoying additional cups can help them relax and create a great opportunity for socializing. How many ever you find is best for you, make sure you find the best coffee variety for you.
Spice up your coffee