5 Tips To A Healthier Coffee Drinking Habit

Coffee is inarguably one of the most popular beverages in the world.

Many health professionals also swear in many of its health benefits. For some, it’s pretty much their single largest source of antioxidants in the diet, outranking both veggies and fruits combined.

While drinking coffee is both enjoyable and beneficial, here are some important tips to remember for a healthier coffee drinking habit.

1. Avoid drinking too much coffee

Coffee, while beneficial, should always be taken in moderation. Drinking too many cups in a day may reduce its overall health benefits.

Excessive caffeine may lead to some adverse side effects that vary from person to person.

Drinking coffee is about balancing its risks and benefits. It’s important to listen to your body and consume no more than you can comfortably tolerate.

2. No caffeine after 2 P.M.

Coffee is one of the richest dietary sources of caffeine, a stimulant that gives you a jolt of energy and helps you stay awake.

However, if you drink coffee late in the day, caffeine may interfere with your sleeping patterns, which may give rise to other health issues.

That is why it is advisable to abstain from drinking coffee late in the day, preferably none after 2 to 3 P.M. (unless you work the night shifts.) If you must though, decaf or a cup of tea are healthier options as they contain less caffeine.

3. Don’t add sugar

Coffee is healthy on its own, but what you add to it can easily turn it into something harmful.

Adding sugar to coffee instantly negates the health benefits you may get from it. Sugar contains high levels of fructose that is linked to all sorts of major illnesses such diabetes and obesity.

If you can’t take coffee without sugar, opt for natural sweeteners like stevia.

4. Add cinnamon to your coffee

Cinnamon mixes well with the coffee flavor, as many cappuccino fans enjoy.

Cinnamon also lowers blood glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol in diabetics.

Make sure not to go overboard with the cinnamon dusting though, as too much of this too can cause some adverse reactions.

5. Choose quality coffee

Being more mindful of your coffee’s journey from bean to cup will help you appreciate the quality of the coffee you’re drinking.

Choose specialty coffee beans as these coffee lots are sold by their Q grade score, a higher score meaning lesser bean defects.

That said, it is always a healthier option to brew your own coffee at home because you control all the factors.

Read the full article at Healthline here to learn more tips how to make your coffee drinking habit healthier.