Oh coffee, sweet coffee. If loving you is wrong, I don’t want to be right. Can you relate?
Well I have great news…there’s nothing wrong with loving coffee if you do it the right way!
COFFEE CAN HAVE HEALTH BENEFITS
Research continues to emerge showing there are health benefits to drinking a cup of quality coffee each day. Here are a few:
- Coffee is rich in antioxidants: Coffee is naturally rich in chlorogenic acids and melanoidin compounds giving it potent antioxidant properties. Antioxidants protect your body from health issues like cancer, heart disease, lowered immunity and premature aging.
- Coffee improves brain function and mood: The naturally-occurring caffeine in coffee blocks a neurotransmitter in the brain called adenosine that can act as a depressant. In turn, it increases the release of a neurotransmitter called dopamine that’s involved in the pleasure and reward response. Caffeine also increases the neurotransmitter in the brain called norepinephrine which can positively affect mood, alertness and attention span.
- Coffee increases good bacteria in the gut: Studies have shown that coffee can help increase metabolic activity and the amount of beneficial bacteria (like Bifidobacterium) in your gut. This group of bacteria produces antibiotic-like substances and antibacterial chemicals that provide significant health benefits to your digestive and immune systems.
- Coffee helps lower your risk of Alzheimer’s Disease: Research shows the polyphenol and caffeine content in coffee helps reduce inflammation and the deterioration of brain cells, especially in the areas of the brain involved in memory (the cortex and hippocampus).
FINDING THE MOST HEALTHFUL COFFEE
The type of coffee you choose is important for your health. It can also make a big difference for the environment and the people who work the farms that produce your coffee.
These are the qualities to consider for selecting the best java:
Certified Organic: This quality is non-negotiable because it means no pesticides, herbicides or other harmful chemicals have been used in producing the coffee.
On the contrary, conventional (non-organic) coffee is one of the most chemically-treated crops in the world, with up to 250 pounds of chemicals sprayed per acre. GROSS! When you drink conventional coffee, you ingest pesticide residues that are highly toxic.
Free of Mycotoxins: Mycotoxins are naturally-occurring fungal byproducts that grow on coffee beans. They can cause health issues like headaches, joint aches and irritation of the eyes, skin and respiratory tract.
Mycotoxin levels can be managed by ensuring moisture levels are tightly controlled during the processing of coffee beans.
Single Origin: When coffee blends consist of beans from multiple areas, you don’t always know where the coffee is coming from. When you buy coffee from a single origin, this helps ensure the quality and reduces the chance of mycotoxin growth.
Fair Trade: Producing coffee is labor-intensive work that typically doesn’t yield much of a profit for farmers. Most coffee producers are in developing countries like Brazil, Columbia, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Mexico and Vietnam.
Fair trade requires companies to pay farmers sustainable prices, which prohibits pay discrimination against the poorest producers that conventional trade often allows.
RECOMMENDED COFFEE BRANDS
If you’re thinking, “Will you just recommend some great brands already!”…the time has come.
The following brands hit the mark when it comes to healthy coffee options that also taste delicious. If you can’t find these brands or comparable options in a store near you, I have provided links to where you can score them on amazon.com:
Four Sigmatic (Delicious instant coffee that’s infused with medicinal mushrooms – great for travel or quick prep on the go!)
IMPORTANT THINGS TO AVOID TO KEEP YOUR COFFEE EXPERIENCE HEALTHY
X Conventional coffee chains:
Steer clear of conventional coffee chains that don’t offer organic options. Their coffee tends to be riddled with pesticides, artificial colors, excess caffeine, preservatives and artificial flavors.
X Milky flavored blends:
Have you seen those coffee drinks that look more like a dessert than a cup of coffee? There’s a lot more than coffee in that cup!
These dessert-like drinks typically contain unhealthy ingredients like high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated fats, preservatives, artificial colors, flavors and sweeteners and fake cream. YIKES!
Drinking coffee “black” with nothing added is the healthiest option. I realize that’s not for everyone, so here are some healthy recommendations for adding cream or sweetness to your java:
- If you prefer to have milk/cream in your coffee, organic coconut milk is a healthy and delicious option.
- If you like some sweetness with your coffee, opt for natural sources like coconut sugar, pure maple syrup or stevia extract that has not been heavily processed or chemically-treated. You can also click here to learn how to make a healthy and delicious latte using coconut oil!
X Chemically-treated decaf:
Most decaf coffee is decaffeinated using chemical solvents like ethyl acetate and methylene chloride that pose serious risks to your health. If you prefer decaf, opt for the healthier option of Swiss Water Processed varieties like these.
BONUS TIP FOR ICED COFFEE LOVERS
If you love iced coffee, you know the struggle of your coffee getting watered down when the ice cubes in the cup start to melt. To avoid this, make ice cubes out of coffee! (Ice cube trays with protective covers like this work great!)
This trick also prevents waste by encouraging you to freeze leftover coffee instead of dumping it. SCORE!
WANT TO SAVE MONEY ON COFFEE SUPPLIES?
You can save a nice chunk of change on healthy pantry staples like organic coffee, natural sweeteners and non-dairy creamers by getting a membership to an online marketplace called Thrive Market. Their prices are an average of 35% cheaper than retail. (Think Whole Foods products meets Costco pricing.)
When you order from Thrive Market, everything is delivered right to your door instead of you having to hunt around for what you need. SCORE!
You can try it FREE for 30 days before committing. Click HERE to learn more or to get started today!
Cheers to enjoying a healthy coffee experience!
With love and gratitude,
Kandi
DISCLOSURE: Many of the links above are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission – at no additional cost to you – if you purchase a product through them. (Click here to view my full Disclaimer & Disclosure statement.) This helps me continue providing FREE content to help you live a fit and fabulous life without busting your bank account. Thanks for your support!