Maximizing the health benefits of your daily brew: The do's and don'ts of coffee additives
10:06 PM EST, December 18, 2023
Black coffee boasts a host of advantages. It enhances concentration, combats fatigue, and eases discomfort associated with asthma and allergies. Additionally, it positively impacts metabolism and heart health, and lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes, various cancers, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. All these health benefits are recognized when coffee is consumed in recommended quantities. However, excessive consumption, anything over 0.014 oz per day, could do more harm than good by increasing blood pressure or causing dehydration.
To fully benefit from coffee, it's necessary to not only consume the correct dose but also to prepare and consume it in a specific way. The choice of beans and brewing method boils down to personal preference but what's essential is that the coffee you drink is black.
Coffee additives you should avoid
It's recommended to avoid drinking coffee with additives such as sugar (which contributes to obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes), sweeteners (that stimulate appetite), whipped cream (especially the premade type which commonly contains hardened palm oil, sugar, dextrose and glucose syrup), and flavored syrups (notorious for their high sugar content). For those who enjoy coffee only occasionally, indulging in a beverage with the mentioned additives and treating it as a dessert is perfectly fine. However, for coffee enthusiasts, for whom a day without their favorite brew is incomplete, such concoctions could lead to health issues.
If you're seeking to enhance the taste of your coffee, consider incorporating healthy additives. Spices like cinnamon and cardamom, known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, blood pressure lowering and blood sugar lowering properties, can be a great addition to your coffee. If you absolutely must sweeten it, you can opt for xylitol, erythritol, or stevia. Do bear in mind that consuming too much xylitol or erythritol could cause digestive issues, and an excess of stevia could disrupt your gut microflora.
