Coffee is a delicious caffeinated beverage enjoyed by people all over the world.
It’s also known for having a range of health benefits.
But did you know that coffee can easily become a negative part of your diet?
See, drinking coffee is generally good for you.
But if you make a few wrong choices with it, you can actually put your health and well-being at risk.
Here are 4 tips that will help you to keep your coffee habit as healthy as possible.
1. Don’t Consume Caffeine After 2 Pm
In the words of the great Ronald Regan:
“I never drink coffee at lunch. I find it keeps me awake for the afternoon.”
A lot of people drink coffee for its caffeine content, to stay more alert and productive for longer periods of time.
But this strategy can actually backfire.
According to studies, it can take up to 10 hours for caffeine to completely leave your system.
This means that drinking coffee after 2 pm may actually impact your ability to get a good night’s sleep later on in the evening.
2. Don’t Load Your Coffee With Sugar
One of the easiest ways to make your coffee harmful is by adding a bunch of processed sugar to it.
Sure, coffee can be bitter.
And some people try to counteract this by adding sugar.
But doing so contributes to your risk of diseases like obesity and diabetes.
For best results, opt for natural sweeteners like agave nectar, honey, or stevia.
You can even use unsweetened cocoa powder or coconut sugar if you really want to experiment!
3. Choose An Organic Brand
Coffee beans are often sprayed with chemicals and pesticides to help protect them from pests.
And there is at least a bit of evidence to show that these chemicals may be bad for your health.
For best results, choose an organic, high quality coffee brand that wasn’t treated with pesticides.
Obviously, bugs getting into the coffee is a problem.
But as a coffee drinker who cares about your own health and wellness, it’s in your best interest to avoid putting these chemicals into your body as often as possible.
4. Try Not To Drink Too Much Of It
According to Health Canada, the average person should stick to around two cups of coffee per day.
Any more than that, and you may end up suffering from symptoms of excessive caffeine intake.
Yes, caffeine can give you energy. But too much of it could land you with some pretty serious symptoms, including:
- Dizziness
- Diarrhea
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Headache
In Conclusion
Hopefully, this post has helped you to understand some simple steps that you can take to make your coffee habit as healthy as possible.
Coffee is awesome.
The trick is to make good choices, to make sure that you maximize the benefits while downplaying any potential health risks.
Next time you reach for that hot cup of java, just keep these tips in mind—and you should be good to go!
