There’s nothing quite like a cup of coffee to start the day. The smell, the taste and the undeniable buzz as the caffeine courses through your body feels truly magical. But are some types of coffee healthier than others?
That depends on several things, such as the amount you’re drinking and how you prepare it.
There is evidence to suggest that in moderate amounts, coffee can reduce your risk of liver cancer, Parkinson’s disease and type 2 diabetes. The drink is also known for its high antioxidant content.
On the other hand, coffee consumption (especially in larger quantities) has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, bone fractures and anxiety disorders.
Experts recommend limiting your coffee intake to a maximum of two cups of espresso per day, which might come as a shock to some of the coffee addicts in your life.
And yes, some methods of preparing and drinking coffee are healthier than others. Here’s what you should be taking into consideration.
Bean variety and roasting
Not all coffee beans are created equal, especially when it comes to their health benefits. In their unroasted form, Robusta coffee beans have been shown to have almost double the antioxidant content as unroasted Arabica beans.
But the roasting process brings out differences in the beans. After roasting both bean types, it was found that the Arabica beans had the higher antioxidant content of the two.
Choosing which bean variety is best for you depends on how you like your coffee roasted. If you prefer unroasted or a light roast, then Robusta beans are healthier. But for medium or heavy roasts, Arabica beans will be more beneficial.
Hot or cold?
Coffee can be enjoyed in both hot and cold forms. Once a rare sight in Australia, cold-brewed coffee has been gaining popularity here in recent years.
But is one way healthier than the other? It depends on what you’re looking for. Hot coffee has higher antioxidant levels than its cold brewed counterpart; but cold coffee contains more caffeine and is less acidic.
Black coffee
While coffee itself contains numerous health benefits, it is often paired with excessive amounts of dairy and sugar. No matter what type of bean variety you use, or whether it is prepared hot or cold, loading your mug up with milk and sugar erases much of the good.
The healthiest way you can enjoy coffee is hot and black with no added sugar. A cup of plain black coffee contains virtually no calories, no fat and is low in sodium. It also contains nutrients such as potassium, magnesium and niacin.
Coffee dos and don’ts
However you choose to prepare your coffee, there are some general rules of thumb when it comes to maximising the health benefits. Filtering your coffee can be a great way to remove any impurities from your cup and the health benefits are backed up by science. Using a French press is another good way to squeeze out any nasties.
As mentioned previously, adding too much milk and sugar to your coffee is the quickest way to undo any of the health benefits the drink provides. If you must add either, see if you can start reducing those amounts.
What types of coffee are your favourites? Do you find any varieties or types affect your health more than others? Let us know in the comments section below.
Also read: Are you drinking your coffee too early?
