Your morning coffee, midday cup of pick-me-up, or after-dinner specialty java is not only satisfying, it might also have health benefits.
Recent research reveals that caffeine has health benefits for moderate people. coffee drinkers.
Moderate coffee consumption – about two to five cups per day – is linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, liver and endometrial cancers, Parkinson’s disease and depression, according to Harvard University.
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With so many coffee options There, Fox News Digital asked two nutrition experts for their java picks and passes. While not every option and type of coffee is covered here, here’s what the experts said about the following.
Filter coffee
Filtered coffee may be the best option for many people, since paper filters remove compounds that can raise cholesterol levels, said Kelly Homesley, a registered dietitian at Novant Health Bariatric Solutions in Charlotte, North Carolina. at Fox News Digital.
Filtered coffee removes compounds that can raise cholesterol levels, a registered dietitian told Fox News Digital. (iStock)
She also noted that filtered coffee also retains the beneficial antioxidants found in coffee, as these can pass through the filtering process.
“This makes the treatment better for your heart compared to unfiltered products. choice of coffee like espresso or a cold brew,” Homesley said.
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But the supplements to your coffee ultimately determine the health profile of your the drinkHomesley said.
“It really depends on what you’ve added to it, like milk, milk alternatives, sugar, flavored syrups, etc.,” she said.
Cold brew
Different from iced coffee, cold brew is created by steeping coffee grounds in room temperature water or cold water for several hours and “can be prepared in cold brew machines equipped with a screen compartment or strained for grounds or into a large container,” according to Food & Wine.
Cold brew is created by steeping coffee grounds in room temperature water or cold water for several hours. (iStock)
This process gives flavor and health benefits.
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“One of the benefits of cold brew is that it’s less acidic than hot brews, so if you have acid reflux, you’ll be able to tolerate it better,” Homesley said.
Espresso
Espresso offers a caffeine boost – but be aware of the digestive side effectsHomesley said.
An espresso provides a quick boost because it is a concentrated form of coffee brewed at high pressure in finely ground coffee beans.
Espresso provides a quick dose of caffeine. (iStock)
“Portion control is crucial due to the concentrated caffeine content, so if you’re consuming espresso, you should stick to just one dose,” Homesley advised.
“Espresso has 4½ times more caffeine per ounce than regular coffee.”
Because caffeine acts as a stimulant that can negatively affect blood pressure, if you drink the same amount of espresso per day as you do coffee, it could lead to high blood pressure, Homesley said.
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Espresso can also cause gastrointestinal issues because it’s the most acidic choice and can lead to acid reflux, Homesley told Fox News Digital.
“It can also cause gastrointestinal distress and exacerbate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome because it stimulates the gastrointestinal tract,” she added.
Cappuccino
This trendy drink, created with layers of espresso, steamed milk, and milk froth, can vary in health benefits depending on how it’s prepared.
Cappuccino is created with layers of espresso, steamed milk and milk foam on top. (iStock)
“Because it contains a little milk, if you use cow’s milk, soy milk, or pea protein milk, a cappuccino can provide a little protein to keep you satisfied and keep your blood sugar levels more stable,” Jessica Cording, dietitian, health coach and author. who practices in New York and New Jersey, told Fox News Digital.
(The terms “latte” and “cappuccino” may seem interchangeable. Both drinks are espresso-based, originated in Italy, are widely available today, and often come in hot or iced varieties. But despite their similarities , they are not the same thing.)
Coffee supplements
The healthiness of a particular coffee depends on the type and amount of milk or cream used and how that fits with someone’s health goals, Cording said.
“For my clients who tolerate dairy and like to put milk or cream in their coffee, I often recommend whole milk as a good middle-ground option,” Cording said.
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For those who don’t consume dairy, plant-based options are available, but Cording advises people to check labels when shopping because these products may contain added sugar.
“And keep in mind that most coffee chains use sweetened plant-based milks in their drinks,” she said.
If you want to add sugar, consider limiting it to reduce calories and carbs, choose a sugar substitute or add spices like nutmeg or cinnamon to give your coffee a non-sweet touch.
The safety of coffee depends on the type and quantity of supplements. (iStock)
For some, a little indulgence at a coffee shop is a fun way to socialize or enjoy a favorite beverage with a little style.
That’s fine – on occasion, Cording said.
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“An occasional high-sugar, high-calorie coffee drink enjoyed as a treat will not make or break an overall healthy diet, but when people regularly consume a significant amount of extra calories and sugar, it can have an impact on their health and make it more difficult to achieve their goals,” Cording said.
A good approach, she says, is to make small changes by replacing certain ingredients or reducing portion sizes.
Drinking decaffeinated coffee may also be an option for many people.
For example, Cording said, if someone has a large coffee with cream and three teaspoons of sugar twice a day, that person might try switching to whole milk and gradually working up to one teaspoon of sugar. sugar – or have just one coffee a day if you don’t want to adjust what’s added there.
Besides supplements, drinking decaffeinated coffee may also be an option for many people.
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Decaffeinated coffee, however, is not completely caffeine-free and actually contains varying amounts of caffeine, according to Healthline.
Still, for those who are sensitive to caffeine, this may be a better choice than other types of coffee.
Christine Rousselle of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.