Coffee: Things you might not know

That first sip of piping hot coffee on an early winter morning or a big gulp of an iced americano on a hot sunny day, can get you up and about for the day. For a coffee drinker, there is nothing like coffee. Coffee drinkers may forget to pop their morning vitamin but never forget their true metabolism booster, coffee! 

The caffeine kick have been frowned down by nutritionalists, and urge you to forgo your morning coffee ritual proclaiming it as a bad habit. But dont fret, there are a few hidden benefits of coffee that not all of us are aware of.

Read on to know more —

Coffee keeps you mentally sharp and your brain healthy —

Coffee helps protect your brain against some neurodegenerative disorders and slows the progression of these diseases. Consuming coffee also lowers your  risk of developing dementia and cognitive decline and it keeps your brain razor sharp. 

Drink coffee to your heart’s content —

Drinking coffee in moderation decreases the long-term risk of heart disease, heart failure and strokes. However, keep in mind that too much caffeine can affect blood pressure levels especially those with unmanaged blood pressure. 

Your metabolism gets kickstarted —

Coffee increases your metabolism, especially before a workout or any physical activity.  It boosts fat loss, taking a load of unwanted weight off your body which is why coffee is often a go to ergogenic aid for athletes who want to improve their performance and increase their energy levels. 

Coffee improves microbiome diversity — 

Gut microbiome diversity is essential for good health. Coffee drinkers tend to have a good diverse microbiome which is credited to the soluble fibre and prebiotic properties of coffee that feed and nurture the beneficial gut bacteria. 

Your liver is a coffee lover —

It is said that drinking two or more cups of coffee a day goes a long way in preventing liver disease and even reducing the damage caused by hepatitis C.

Kick gallstones in the guts —

Coffee intake even reduces your risk of developing symptomatic gallstone disease. If you are currently experiencing gallstones keep in mind that you should avoid coffee due to its stimulating effect on the gallbladder.

Bye bye blood sugar —

Research indicates that consuming coffee regularly can decrease the risk of developing type2 diabetes over time. This is credited to coffee’s ability to reduce inflammation, increase metabolism and preserve the function of the besta cells in the pancreas which produces insulin. 

However, if you already have type 2 diabetes, coffee can have the opposite effect on your sugar levels especially with added sugar and milk. 

Better bowel movements —

Coffee is a great laxative. Most coffee drinkers hop straight onto the pot post coffee. If you struggle to regulate your bowel movements, coffee might be a healthy choice to get things moving.

Drink coffee, live longer —

Coffee is said to help extend longevity, thanks to its many potential health benefits. Furthermore, drinking at least one cup of coffee per day is also linked to a lower risk of death from cancer. 

Caffeine, sleep and mental health —

Caffeine affects is your sleep, too much caffeine, especially around bed time can disrupt your sleep cycle. 

People who have mental health conditions like depression, bipolar disorder or anxiety often suffer from insomnia, making coffee an insomnia catalyst. A consistent sleep schedule helps with these conditions so consuming coffee should be done in moderation. Experts recommend avoiding caffeine six hours before bedtime. Even a cup of decafinated coffee, which still contains trace amounts of caffeine, can interrupt your sleep. 

However, on the other hand, a cup of coffee a day has shown to reduce the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts as well. 

The burning question we all want the answer to — 

Does coffee really help you lose weight?

Black coffee is a low-calorie beverage but if you need yet another reason to drink coffee, how does weight loss sound? 

Coffee contains fat fighting antioxidants called phenols which block insulin production and increase your metabolism. Caffeine also decreases feelings of hunger, gives you an energy boost and helps you stay physically fit. Lighter roasts of coffee are higher in phenols. Phenols encourage short-term bursts of calorie burning. It’s a phenomenal boost to weight loss!

Tips and tricks to make your coffee healthier —

You know what they say, a cup of coffee a day keeps the doctor away? Or was that an apple?  

How about I let you in on a few secret tips to make your coffee as healthy and guilt free as an apple?

The calories in your daily cup of Joe can quickly add up. Yes, black coffee only has a handful of calories but adding milk, flavouring and sweeteners can increase the calorie count faster than you can say coffee. 

It’s time to take advantage of these tips to give your coffee the healthy boost it needs. 

• Drink your coffee black: stick to the basics and drink your coffee black. 

• Add natural flavours: For a low calorie boost of flavour, you could add pure vanilla extract, hazelnut or mocha to your coffee to give it an extra kick. Choose flavours without preservatives and additives. 

• Stick to plant based milk: Assuming you aren’t allergic to nuts, opt for almond or plant based milks. Plant-based milks usually have less sugar than regular whole milk, making it the healthier choice. Replacing dairy milk with a plant-based milk can also reduce saturated fats that can cause health issues. 

• Spice it up: Adding a dash of cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric, nutmeg or cayenne pepper can jazz up your coffee. Not to mention the positive effects it has on your digestion, lowering your blood pressure, in preventing blood clots, reducing inflammation, relieving migraines and joint pain. 

• Ditch artificial creamers and sweeteners: If you prefer your coffee creamy and sweet opt for options like coconut milk, any nut milk or homemade creamer,  honey, jaggery, palm sugar or stevia. 

• Brew with organic beans: Organic coffee beans are pesticide free and do not have any harmful chemicals. Organic is a much healthier option especially if you drink coffee everyday. Be mindful of what goes into your stomach. 

• Avoid drinking on an empty stomach: Make sure you eat something before drinking coffee, always line your stomach to avoid acidity. Drinking coffee on an empty stomach is not healthly for your stomach. 

Conclusion —

There are many surprising health benefits of coffee, if you be mindful of the unhealthy triggers, go right ahead and enjoy your cuppa…not that an addict needs any reason to drink it.