Good Coffee, Bad Coffee

There are arguments both for and against drinking coffee so let's break it down. The reported health benefits of coffee are quite controversial — research has shown that drinking coffee can assist in lowering blood pressure, reduce fat and possibly promote fat burning. However, these benefits come from the coffee alone (that is, the shot of coffee) and does not include how you drink it with milk. If you are partial to a 'venti no foam caramel latte' (don't judge me), you are drinking unecessary calories!

Coffee Nutrients

Coffee can contain some essential nutrients and is high in antioxidants.

A 240 ml cup of black coffee contains:

• 11% of the recommended daily amount Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
• 6% of the RDA Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
• 2% of the RDA Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)
• 2% of the RDA Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
• 3% of the RDA Manganese
• 3% of the RDA Potassium

While these amounts may not seem like much, if you are a 2 or 3 cup a day kinda girl, this can quickly add up without much effort.

Things to keep in mind when drinking coffee

Caffeine in coffee

The active compound in coffee is the stimulant caffeine. Some of the effects of caffeine are a short-term boost in energy levels, brain function, metabolic rate and exercise performance.

You might not realise it but caffeine is the most commonly consumed psychoactive substance in the world. Unlike many other psychoactive substances, it is legal and unregulated in nearly all parts of the world. Global consumption of caffeine has been estimated at 120,000 tonnes per year, which equates to one serving of a caffeinated beverage for every person every day.

Dependency on caffeine

Caffeine can produce a mild form of drug dependence – those who regularly consume  it can experience withdrawal symptoms such as sleepiness, headache, and irritability.

Bad coffee can be toxic

Another thing to consider is that bad coffee can actually be toxic! Poor quality coffee can have a lot of impurities in it which can cause sickness, headache or just generally feeling unwell. This happens if your coffee is made from beans that have been over-riped. Just one ruined bean can make your whole cup toxic. 

This is where I promote being a coffee snob because investing in high quality specialty coffee can be good for your health!

How much milk should I have in coffee?

You might like to consider alternating or limiting the amount of milk you have with your coffee, or swapping it for an alternative. A standard latte can contain 150 calories, so some healthier options could include skim milk or nut milk.

Alternatively, try one of these next time you order:

- Macchiato (an espresso with a small amount of foamed milk on top)
- Piccolo latte (a short black cup filled to the brim with milk)

Coffee and sleep

If you’re having trouble sleeping it might help to cut down on caffeinated coffee or other beverages which include caffine such as green tea, or to drink it only early in the day. As a general rule of thumb, it takes about 6 hours for the caffeine to clear your system, although this varies from person to person.

Death by caffeine

If you are a hard-core addict, just remember that coffee can actually be lethal in large doses! If you drink 100 cups (23 litres) in a short session, you would be intaking a lethal amount of caffine,10-13 grams. 

Try this coffee recipe at home

If you are looking for the ultimate coffee with added health benefits, try this coffee recipe:

Ingredients

1 cup good quality black coffee
1 Tbls organic butter or non-dairy alternative
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp maca powder
1 tsp turmeric

Method
Blend all together and enjoy!