Knowing whether coffee is good for you is not straightforward since not all coffee is created equally. Therefore, it’s important to understand how the differences in every cup can change its impact on your health.
The Importance of Choosing High-Quality Coffee
Most of the coffee commercially available, whether at a coffee shop or in the supermarket, contains lots of chemicals. Big, profit-focused companies often sell stale beans and use a variety of chemicals to replicate the qualities of fresh coffee so they can sell for cheap and make a profit. Small amounts of those nasty chemicals are enough to impact your gut health. Many people find that coffee upsets their stomach or makes them anxious, but often it's the added chemicals, not the coffee itself, that cause these problems. Your gut health can affect your mood, digestion, skin health, energy levels, and even brain function, so it’s important to look after it.
At Alfie & Co, we care about the health value of our coffee. Our beans come from ethical plantations that don’t use pesticides, which isn’t true for much of the coffee out there. Also, we only use fresh beans and roast them in hot clean air, meaning the beans are totally chemical-free. So when you drink our coffee, you know it won’t be bad for you – in fact, it’s probably good for you…
The Health Benefits of Moderate Coffee Consumption
Now, the question remains: how does good quality coffee affect our health? The answer is pretty positive overall. Coffee has been shown to lower body fat since caffeine can help you feel fuller and reduce your appetite. Studies have also found that moderate coffee drinkers (more than one cup per day) have a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, particular types of cancer, chronic liver disease, and a lower mortality rate. In fact, the health benefits of drinking coffee are similar to consuming vegetables!
However, it's important to note that what you add to your coffee matters. Both sugar and milk can change how the drink affects your body. The negative effects of sugar can counteract the benefits of coffee, and dairy milk has been shown to block the absorption of some of the health-beneficial compounds in coffee. Plant milks, on the other hand, don't have this effect, so you can enjoy the full benefits of coffee in your oat latte!
How Much Coffee is Healthy?
Three to four cups per day is considered to be the ideal amount to get the maximum health benefits of coffee. However, some people process caffeine more slowly, which can lead to negative effects such as jitters, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping. If you experience any of these symptoms, it might be worth considering reducing your caffeine intake or switching to decaf. It’s generally recommended to consume coffee in moderation and be mindful of your own body's response.
Also, pregnant women should be mindful of their caffeine intake as too much has been linked to low birth weight and premature both. While there’s no need to cut out coffee entirely, it’s recommended to drink no more than one cup per day.
Overall, coffee can be a healthy addition to a balanced diet, especially when you choose high-quality beans and watch what you add to your coffee. At Alfie & Co, we're committed to providing you with the best possible coffee for your health and enjoyment because we’re passionate about good coffee.