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Is Coffee Healthy For Your Diet?
Coffee is an immensely popular brewed beverage enjoyed by millions. Made from roasted coffee beans harvested from Coffea plants’ berries, its flavor varies greatly depending on its country of origin, altitude of cultivation, processing method and processing technique – each contributing their own distinctive characteristics to make up the cup you drink! Of particular note is caffeine’s impactful role in health benefits linked with coffee drinking habits.
Coffee has been shown to boost metabolism, reduce inflammation, improve insulin sensitivity and inhibit fat absorption. Coffee also contains chlorogenic acid – a compound which stabilizes free radicals and lowers your risk for chronic diseases and aging – so drinking all forms isn’t created equal – ones with sugar and cream can add many extra calories, potentially negating any positive benefits it might otherwise bring. Dietitian Keri Glassman M.S. RDN CEO of Nutritious Life recommends this form of beverage over replacing liquids which would lead to dehydration as well as nutrient deficiencies
Some of the most popular additions to coffee are milk and sugar; however, both can contribute to elevated blood sugar levels and can ultimately cause diabetes – one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Furthermore, adding milk increases acid intake which may aggravate conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Interstitial Cystitis or IBS.
To maintain the enjoyment of your morning brew, try cutting back on sugar and creamers by opting for whole milk when possible. Low-cal sweeteners like Stevia or Honey may also work, being both natural and less processed. Finally, cold brewing your coffee yourself could extract more antioxidants while decreasing acidity levels.
One cup of black coffee can provide your body with all of its daily potassium needs – essential for muscle function and electrolyte balance. Just be careful that too much caffeine won’t negatively impact your sleep or cause digestive issues!
Two to three cups of coffee daily may provide additional health benefits, according to research published in 2022. A study concluded that coffee may reduce your likelihood of atrial fibrillation or any abnormal heart rhythm condition such as cardiac arrhythmias.
Notably, most research regarding the health benefits of coffee is observational in nature – that is, it cannot demonstrate cause-and-effect relationships – but this does not diminish its positive findings that coffee may provide many positive health outcomes when consumed moderately. To maximize these advantages, opt for high-quality light roast coffee from trusted vendors; but don’t replace other essential beverages in your diet such as water or dairy products which provide important sources of protein and calcium.