Coffee is the popular beverage of choice among most people in the world. This makes sense as civilization has been drinking it since 800 A.D.
Don’t worry, we’re not here today to put a damper in your day and say that “coffee is bad” or “don’t drink coffee” but sometimes the addition of stimulants in our daily lives (from caffeine, alcohol, drugs, sugar) can spiral out of control when we become dependent on it. Think about it. How many people do you know, including yourself, that are dependent on caffeine and sugar, daily?
Coffee does contain polyphenols, which are micronutrients that have health benefits. So yes, having your daily cup of java (300 mg of caffeine) as long as you’re a healthy individual (that is not pregnant, lactating, young adult, child, or person with health issues like heart conditions), then it may support the fight against cardiovascular disease, neurological disease, and metabolic syndrome.
But these are the other factors in your daily coffee ritual that can negate those benefits.
1. How much coffee do you drink daily?
2. What quality of coffee are you drinking?
3. What are you adding to your coffee?
1. How Much?
One cup of coffee per day is okay to consume, preferably in the morning hours, and as long as your body can metabolize caffeine (i.e. you’re not someone that becomes jittery, wired, and feels ill after drinking coffee).
You should consume than two cups of coffee per day, which should be consumed before 2 P.M., assuming that your bed time is 10 P.M. Caffeine remains in your body for 4 – 6 hours, which means that your body needs time to metabolize it.
WHY? Because caffeine affects our body’s natural hormonal balance. Upon waking up in the morning, our hormonal glands have a high production of cortisol (our stress hormone). This helps you to rise and shine for your day. Your adrenal glands sit right above your kidneys. They release adrenaline when we’re confronted with a stressful situation (fight or flight response), like a bear chasing you, witnessing a crime as it occurs, or your boss yelling at you. Every time you consume coffee, it stimulates the adrenal glands, and increases cortisol production. What happens when you keep burning through your adrenal glands? Adrenal fatigue. Signs of adrenal fatigue are constant exhaustion for no reason, a decreased ability to cope with stress, difficulty getting out of bed, and lack of concentration or memory. Therefore, once the effects of caffeine wear off, it can leave you more tired than before.
This is why it’s suggested to avoid caffeine later in the day because it can interfere with the body’s hormone production. For example, melatonin is secreted in the evening hours, which helps us prepare for sleep.
Coffee dehydrates the body, so for every cup of coffee consumed, you should drink one cup of water following it.
2. The Quality
The quality of the coffee beans does matter. Remember back in 2014, the news published studies that showed twigs, dirt, corn, soy beans, and much more in coffee grounds as filler ingredients? With a demand for coffee, hotter temperatures, and less rainfall, these factors affect the production of Arabica coffee beans in Central and South America. The fact that coffee manufactures are doing this is appalling but doesn’t surprise me.
Sorry to say it but cheap coffee tastes like sh*t. Ever had a good quality cup of coffee from a local coffee shop that specializes in coffee, sustainably grown, ground in front of you, and then brewed through a drip method? You don’t need to add anything to that coffee because the taste is amazing! It lacks the bitterness or acidity that coffee is associated with.
How to solve this problem? Buy premium coffee beans and grind them at home in a spice grinder. Every morning you can have a $5 coffee experience right in your own kitchen. Buying fair trade and organic coffee beans is healthier for you, supports the environmental practices of growing coffee beans without pesticides and chemical additives, ensures a fair price of trade with other countries, invests in their local communities, and eliminates the middle-man of big franchises.
I’d rather spend $12 on a bag of whole Fair Trade Certified, organic coffee beans that lasts more than one month, than buying it from outside each morning at $2 for cheap coffee or $4 for expensive coffee. The amount of time to grind a bag of bean and keep them in a canister? 4 minutes. The time to put on a pot in the morning? 3 minutes. You can already see the cost savings right here. $12/month versus $42/$84 per month. That’s a vacation or new pair of shoes that you can feel good about.
3. What Are You Adding
If you’re adding two creams and two sugars to your coffee just so you can tolerate the taste, then you’re no longer drinking coffee. It’s officially a dairy and sugar fest in your cup, which means you’re drinking sugar from the milk/cream and then more sugar.
If you have taken part in the 7-Day No Sugar Challenge, then you already know the health risks and immediate over-consumption of added sugar from your coffee and tea habit. This negates the benefits of coffee. Back to point #2, coffee shouldn’t taste bitter or overpowering. Adding so many other things to coffee (like sugar, syrups, flavours, cream, whipped cream, candy, colours, everything else) can make it become a very unhealthy beverage. This type of coffee ritual can lead to health problems, metabolic disease, weight gain, and the “muffin” top belly.
The solution if you’re needing a coffee fix? An herbal instant coffee alternative that TASTES like coffee, provides ENERGY like coffee, supports your health with other BENEFITS, and doesn’t have the bitterness or acidity. Have you heard of DANDY BLEND? This is a game changer! Dandy Blend is a coffee alternative with the same flavour, smoothness, and texture so it tastes better than coffee. It’s gluten-free, made from water-soluble extracts of roasted roots of dandelion, chicory and beets, barley, and rye.
Dandelion, chicory, and beets help to stimulate liver detoxification. It costs less than 7 cents per cup, and is so versatile because it can be used in place of coffee or espresso beverages, and in smoothies, desserts, and much more.
It’s easily available at many health food stores, like Healthy Planet or online at Amazon. Don’t believe me? Check out more about this by clicking here! Even some of our No Sugar Challengers purchased this coffee alternative and couldn’t believe there was actually a coffee replacement that just like coffee.
There you have it! It may be time to switch up your coffee routine and get some good quality beans or a dose of Dandy Blend. Maybe you’ll drink coffee for four mornings, and then another beverage, like Dandy Blend, on the other three mornings. Get creative!
I am not affiliated or paid by this brand. I believe in sharing valuable content and resources within my community, and informing about products that can support living your healthiest life!