Drinking coffee can offer many health benefits, such as less weight gain, lower blood pressure, and a reduced risk of diabetes and heart disease. The challenging question is which way of making coffee gives you the most benefits. There are various factors that affect your coffee health that we will discuss in the following.
1. Drink It Black
The easiest way to enjoy your coffee while keeping it healthy is drinking your coffee black. You can be sure that there are no calories in black coffee however when you add cream or sugar you will drink a high calorie beverage.
2. Spice It Up with Cinnamon
You are not forced to tolerate the bitter taste of black coffee if you don’t enjoy it. Instead, you can add a dash of cinnamon not only to make the taste favorable but also to increase the coffee's health due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds. Moreover, you can mix it with vanilla to make it even more delicious without affecting the coffee’s health.
3. Opt for Alternative Sweeteners
Do you have a genuine passion for the sweet taste of your coffee but still want to keep it low in calories? Don’t worry you can add natural alternatives like honey and herbal stevia sweeteners to maintain your coffee's health. Herbs like stevia contain beneficial effects like antihypertensive and antimicrobial properties, can reduce inflammation, help regulate blood sugar, increase HDL cholesterol, prevent cancer, and may promote oral health. In this case, you can enjoy a healthy and unique coffee.
4. Choose Filtered Water
The quality of the water you use can significantly affect the taste and healthiness of your coffee. Try to use filtered water, such as through activated charcoal or reverse osmosis (RO) filters to ensure a cleaner and better-tasting cup of coffee. Plus, filtered water is gentler on your coffee maker and this is ideal for preventing calcium build-up and extending the life of your equipment.
5. Skip the Creamers
Artificial ingredients have many side effects on our physical and mental health which are abundant in creamers, especially the flavored ones. It’s not obligatory to omit what you like instead, you can find other options like milk, especially plant-based alternatives similar to oat milk. With this wise choice, you can enjoy not only the taste but also beneficial features like high fiber, free saturated fats, and gluten, a perfect option for those with allergies and vegans.
6. Add a Touch of Cacao
Adding cacao to your coffee not only enriches the flavor but also brings a host of health benefits. Cacao is known to reduce blood pressure, improve vascular health, and enhance mental performance. You don't have to choose between health and enjoyment, they can be perfectly balanced.
7. Choose Whole Beans and Quality Brands
One of the striking features of coffee is its high amount of antioxidants, but you need to know that it will be decreased with exposure to moisture and oxygen. So, it’s highly recommended to grind your beans just before your use and brewing process.
8. Choose the Right Brewing Method
The way you brew your coffee can impact its healthiness. Filtered brewing methods like drip, pour-over, Aeropress, and coffee pods help remove cholesterol-raising diterpenes while preserving beneficial antioxidants. On the other hand, unfiltered methods like French press and Turkish coffee retain more diterpenes, which can raise cholesterol levels if consumed in excess.
Conclusion
As we’ve considered above, we can drink flavored and unique cups of coffee while keeping it healthy and beneficial. Some practical hints like adding cinnamon and cacao, honey or herbal sweetener instead of sugar and artificial ingredients, can make the coffee flavorful. Moreover, by using filtered water and selecting quality beans you can keep your coffee beneficial and fresh with its antioxidants. You can live healthily and still enjoy your coffee and life.