So, what are the healthiest coffees to drink? After all, various types of coffee contain varying amounts of caffeine, protein, and calories. Below is an overview of some of the popular coffee beverages.
Espresso
Espresso is a strong black coffee drink that is meant to be drank after a meal. The traditional way to serve the brew is to offer a single shot of the beverage without milk. Espresso contains about 90 milligrams of caffeine and about five calories.
While espresso has no nutritional value, it is low in calories and provides a good dose of caffeine. Therefore, it is best to drink the coffee earlier in the day. Drinking an espresso in the afternoon can help you overcome the slump that occurs later in the day.
Cappuccino
Cappuccino is an espresso that is topped with steamed milk. The drink contains about six grams of protein and around 150 calories if whole milk is used. You can lower your calorie intake to 95 calories by opting for steamed skimmed milk.
As long as you are not trying to lose weight, cappuccino can be consumed. Just limit your intake to one drink per day and drink the rest of your coffee black. The calcium and protein in the milk in the drink is good for your bones and joint health.
Latte
Latte, which is similar to cappuccino, is also made from espresso and uses much more steamed milk than cappuccino. Each cup contains about five grams of protein and five grams of fat.
The calorie count is about 225 if whole milk is used and around 135 if you opt for skimmed milk. Like a cappuccino, it is a good idea to drink only one cup of latte per day and drink your other cups of coffee black.
A Reminder
If you want to drink cappuccino or latte for the protein and calcium, that is fine. However, as indicated, you want to keep away from adding sugar if you want to enjoy coffee’s health benefits and make the most of a healthful brew.
Black Coffee
An eight ounce cup of black coffee contains a mere two calories and 0 grams of fat. Nutritionally, coffee also contains very small doses of potassium to regulate the heart beat and a minute amount of calcium for stronger bones.
Antioxidant Activity
A cup of black coffee also contains antioxidants. These antioxidants lower the inflammation levels in the body and reduce the risk of heart disease. The same antioxidants also lower the risk of contracting degenerative diseases. The antioxidants in coffee are higher than what is found in fruits, vegetables, tea, and wine.
Increased Fat Burning
Besides the health benefits listed above, coffee also aids in weight loss by boosting the metabolism by as much as 50%. The drink also burns tummy fat and stimulates the nervous system, which, in turn, signals the breakdown of fat cells. When this happens, fat is used as an energy source instead of glycogen.
Flushing Away the Bad Stuff
Coffee is also a diuretic, which causes you to urinate frequently. If you drink coffee without the cream and sugar, you flush away bad bacteria and toxins. As a result, coffee cleanses the stomach, which facilitates optimum calorie and fat burning.
A Smart Beverage Choice
Coffee benefits people physically and mentally. The psychoactive stimulant not only energizes you physically, it boosts your mood and cognitive functioning. As a result, you actually become more intelligent over time.
A Reduced Risk of Alzheimer’s
Besides making you smarter, coffee also enhances the memory. Because a cup of black coffee improves mental functioning, it also reduces the risk of getting Alzheimer’s by 65%. Older people who drink coffee are also at a reduced risk of getting dementia.
Keep You Coffee Consumption in Check – Four Warnings to Note
1 – Caffeine Consumption
To take advantage of coffee’s health benefits, you still have to consider the amount of caffeine that you are drinking each day. Large doses of caffeine are not good for you. Therefore, it normally is safe to limit coffee drinking to two to four cups per day. People who can drink more than four cups usually are larger in size.
2 – Overdosing on Caffeine – Some of the Symptoms
In most instances, consuming 500 milligrams or more of coffee can lead to the following health problems:
- Restlessness or sleeplessness
- Irritability or anxiety
- Dyspepsia or an upset stomach
- A rapid heartbeat or even arrhythmia
3 – Increased Cholesterol Levels
Drinking too many lattes or unfiltered coffee drinks can lead to increased levels of cholesterol. Therefore, it is better to drink your lattes in moderation and opt for black coffee instead.
4 – Problems with Caffeine Metabolization
If you have a difficult time metabolizing caffeine, you can actually increase your risk of heart disease or even a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Therefore, if metabolization is a problem, you may need to switch to a decaf.
Feel Better Physically and Happier Too
As you can see, coffee is one drink that cannot be overlooked when leading healthy lifestyle. If you want to receive full benefits from the brew, drink it without sugar and cream and moderate the amount you drink. By taking this approach you will feel better physically and happier too.
Author: Donna Ryan is a writer and owner of InkyPublishing.com. You can contact her for writing and editing work. Just hit the blue Drop A Line button in the right-hand corner of the website.
