7 Ways You Can Make Your Morning Cup of Coffee Healthier
Who doesn’t love an early morning coffee? Coffee tastes amazing and provides a much-needed boost of energy. Coffee also helps in improving focus, blood circulation, and mental clarity. Sipping a nice cup of coffee in the morning is a great way to energize your body and get your day started on a high note. However, it is easy for your favorite cup of coffee to turn unhealthy. Many coffee drinks are adulterated, contain harmful chemicals, and are full of artificial sugar. Thus, it is important for you to know how to make it healthier. Don’t get disappointed, there are simple steps you can take to give your coffee a boost.
Choice of coffee beans
There are vast and impressive varieties of coffee being produced currently. Different flavors are being introduced in coffee roasts for coffee enthusiasts. You can buy these different roasts from local coffee shops or grocery stores. Single estate beans are also a good choice to make coffee. These beans aren’t mixed with any other coffee beans and thus are better in quality. Exploring new flavors isn’t harmful. It will bring a new change and energy in your life. You can even go for some coffee pod flavors, they are a good combination of taste and health.
Sweeteners and Creamers
Adding sweeteners or creamers enhances the flavor of the coffee. You can use natural flavors like cinnamon, vanilla extract, cocoa powder, etc. as sweeteners. Cinnamon not only adds flavor but also reduces blood glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides. Also try using Irish cream, whipped cream, butter, etc. as creamers. Play around with these amazing flavors by following your mood. You will surely never go back to the boring cup of coffee.
Plant-based milk
Coffee contains inflammatory agents; hence it is advised to use plant-based milk instead of cow’s milk. Plant-based dairy products have more nutrients, omega-3 fatty acids, and are anti-inflammatory. Almond, cashew, and coconut milk are some of the plant-based milk options that you can add to your cup of coffee. These products are low in calories and consist of healthy mono-saturated fat. Almond milk helps in reducing mucus inflammation in the body. If you are missing creaminess that comes with cow’s milk, then you can add any plain, unsweetened milk for extra creaminess.
Add spices
Ginger, cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg are some of the spices that are rich in antioxidants. These are also called sweet spices, so you should only add a limited quantity. Antioxidants help in reducing stress and killing free radicals. This keeps you fresh and energetic throughout the day. The aroma and flavor of the coffee also enhance on adding these spices.
Drink it with healthy food
Drinking coffee on an empty stomach isn’t a good idea. You can pair it with breakfast or snacks while having one. Coffee consists of caffeine, so pairing it with a food item high in healthy fat helps in slowing the increase in blood sugar. Taking fruits is a good option to club with your cup of coffee.
Do not add artificial sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners are unhealthy and can cause diseases like obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart stroke, etc. Instead of using such sweeteners and refined sugar, you can use Stevia. It is a natural sweetener and doesn’t enhance flavor like vanilla or cinnamon.
Follow a coffee drinking routine
Coffee is rich in caffeine and stimulates body energy. But if you drink coffee late in the day or evening, it can interfere with your sleep. Poor sleep can cause further health problems for you. Abstaining from coffee after 2 pm is a good routine to follow. If you still wish to drink coffee in the evening, keep it limited to a cup of decaf. You should also avoid drinking too much coffee in a day. There can be adverse side effects on your health due to the high intake of caffeine. Thus, maintain a balance between the risk and benefits of drinking coffee.
Coffee is a popular beverage that is known for its energy-boosting effect. There are several health benefits to drinking coffee. By following the simple steps mentioned above you can make your cup of coffee healthier. Maintain a balance so that you can extract the maximum health benefits from coffee.