Coffee is such a well-loved beverage regardless of which part of the world you live in. Some enjoy an occasional cup of Joe, whereas others can’t function without their mandatory coffee in the morning. Apart from giving you that burst of energy to start the day, coffee is also the best option if you need to stay awake to burn the midnight oil.
coffee offers several potential health benefits. It contains antioxidants that may protect cells from damage, and moderate coffee consumption has been associated with a lower risk of certain diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer. Additionally, caffeine in coffee can enhance alertness and concentration.
However, drinking coffee also comes with its own set of downsides. For starters, an excessive adrenaline boost could go south very quickly, resulting in anxiety paired with an increased heart rate and high blood pressure. Along that same line, if you exceed your coffee intake threshold, getting yourself to fall asleep might become a huge issue.
Therefore, if you’re caffeine dependent and want to change that, all is not lost. There is a plethora of alternative coffee drinking habits that you can adopt to live a healthier life. Here are some new methods you can try out.
1. Set a cut-off point
As we covered earlier, coffee can cause insomnia, and that is never a fun time. So, here’s one way you can avoid that. Set a time for when you should make it a point to swear off coffee for the day. That way, its effects, such as the increase in circulation of adrenaline and cortisol, will wear off just in time for bed.
Somewhere around the afternoon should be a good time to put a stop to coffee. Figuring out when you should set the limit can be a little tricky. But you can easily do your own experiment by trying out different cut-off times, and most importantly, listening to your body. This article by Sleep Foundation could give you a head start; it covers the duration for which coffee is generally metabolized.
2. Use an organic coffee blend
The manufacturing process of your chosen coffee beans plays a big part in the health aspect. Therefore, it is not unusual for large corporations to use certain chemicals such as the common pesticide to ensure that they’re able to meet the mass production targets. When in actual fact, high levels of these chemicals aren’t safe for consumption.
Therefore, if you’re looking to upgrade the quality of your morning coffee, you could do that with a good bag of organic coffee. The first step is to find a trusted brand, or you could even source it directly from a local farmer’s market. Whether you choose to go for the raw coffee beans or, like most people, the more convenient coffee blend, you’re bound to find a bag of coffee that fits your preference.
3. Use filter paper
Cafestol which is found in coffee, is correlated with an increase in cholesterol levels. So, if you’ve been brewing your cowboy-style coffee, you might want to make it an occasional beverage instead. However, not to worry, there is a simple hack to combat this issue.
The answer is to add paper filters into your coffee-making routine. Paper filters strain out the cafestol while letting the antioxidants in coffee seep through. It only takes less than a minute, but it can do wonders for your long-term health benefits. Additionally, you’ll be glad to know that most coffee makers on the market nowadays provide you with the option of adding paper filters.
4. Avoid adding sugar and creamer
Not adding sugar to give your coffee some pizzazz may seem like a big no-no to some. Well, you don’t have to skip it altogether, but you could instead reduce your sugar intake; after all, a little goes a long way.
Apart from that, right after you take your cup of freshly brewed coffee from the coffee machine, creamer it is! Well, you might want to skip that step too. Artificial creamers contain a lot of added sugar. However, all is not lost. If you’re not one to drink your coffee black, coffee connoisseurs often replace creamer with milk.
5. Add a pinch of cinnamon
Not only does cinnamon taste great in coffee, but it will also bring you tremendous health benefits. For instance, cinnamon possesses calming properties that can help facilitate sleep. Apart from that, cinnamon is a spice that is rich in antioxidants, reduces the chances of heart-related diseases, as well as regulates blood sugar.
You could incorporate cinnamon into your coffee by sprinkling some on top. However, you could also take it a step further and infuse cinnamon into your coffee by adding a cinnamon stick or two into your brew. Surprisingly, a quick search will let you know that cinnamon isn’t the only addition that can give your coffee the extra punch of flavor with the added health benefits; butter, turmeric, and cocoa are some of the worthy contenders.
At the end of the day, drinking coffee in moderation is the key. But caffeine addiction is an issue that should be tackled gradually. Therefore, feel free to incorporate these little tips and tricks to ensure that you fulfill your coffee needs but at the same time, take a step toward a healthier lifestyle.
