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COFFEE!!!
Every time I look at social media, I see a post about needing coffee!
It’s our therapist… It gets us through Monday… It helps with my tolerance level… “Don’t worry about my coffee consumption, worry about what I would do without it”… Poop Juice… Drink coffee…do amazing things… Life happens, but coffee helps… Keep calm and coffee… Time to install java… No coffee, no workee…
I unabashedly, LOVE COFFEE! No one else in my house drinks it. So, it is my private little oasis to relax and recharge. Honestly, this time of year…. it really might just boil down to holding a warm mug when it is snowing outside. And, let’s face it, I am certain that my Swedish roots have given me a strong affliction for the dark drink. And apparently, I am not the only one. According to the National Coffee Association USA, daily coffee consumption is on the rise. (3)
I operate in the mindset of trying to always maintain balance, keep things in moderation or the 80/20 Rule. So, I enjoy a coffee in the morning and then usually again in the late afternoon. As I get older, I do find myself more sensitive to caffeine late in the evening, so I limit coffee at night unless I am out for dinner.
All this coffee talk….. I thought I would share a few of the “perks” that may be found from enjoying a cuppa joe.
1. Coffee contains a substance found in plant based foods and drinks called polyphenols. There has been extensive research that suggests the benefits of polyphenols in coffee may have some protective health benefits such as reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes. (1)
2. Drinking coffee may lead to a lower risk of death. Studies encompassing a large number of participants suggest coffee may reduce your risk from heart disease, diabetes, or even cancer. (2) (4)
3. Plain coffee is simply low in calories, as opposed to many other drinks (5)
4. Some people report improvements in mood, memory, or sports performance (6) (7) (8)
Enjoying a cup of coffee may still have mixed reviews when it comes to research and literature. While the above points outline some great possible benefits, there are still some people that do not tolerate coffee well, including stomach upset, jittery feeling, reduced focus, and more. If you fall in that camp, then by all means, avoid the stuff! It can be confusing, so always talk to your doctor about what to avoid in your diet, as some people taking medications or are pregnant should avoid caffeine. Listen to your body! But the data seems promising, enough for me to keep my little slice of heaven as part of my daily routine!
I try to always purchase organic, fair trade, mold free beans as much as possible. I also supplement my coffee with a high quality MCT oil and collagen powder to get a little extra benefit, as suggested by David Asprey in the Bulletproof Diet. Here are a few of my add-ins:
Bulletproof Brain Octane Oil Ghee Cinnamon Turmeric Collagen Powder no sugar added almond milk
I also prepare my coffee in a stainless steel french press, like this one. I love the way coffee tastes from a french press, and it reduces the exposure to additional plastic toxins that may be found in traditional coffee makers.
I always drink a large glass of water when I wake up and several more throughout the day. Coffee can have an effect on maintaining fluid balance in the body, so I always make sure to balance my coffee with plenty water consumption too.
Enjoy your cuppa joe today!
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/289831921
2. http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-coffee-health-20170710-story.html
3. http://www.ncausa.org/Portals/56/PDFs/Communication/NCA_NCDT2017.pdf?ver=2017-03-29-115235-727
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29167102
5. https://draxe.com/coffee-nutrition-facts/
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15487903
7. http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/11/28/coffee-great-source-antioxidants-and-effective-mood-enhancer.html
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20164571