There seems to be a new study out every other week about coffee. Some say drink up, coffee is good for you and plays a role in a healthy diet, while others say hold the java, it has negative health consequences and shouldn’t be a regular part of your lifestyle.
With the reviews so mixed, it’s easy to get confused as to what you should really be doing and whether coffee should be your every day go to.
It’s true that coffee is acidic and can cause problems within your body in this regard, and it’s also true that for people who are chronically stressed or who suffer from digestive distress, that it can exasperate both of these issues. But unless you fall under one of these two groups, like everything else in our diet, coffee in moderation can be part of a healthy lifestyle.
If you happen to be addicted to coffee and want to reduce your consumption, try to sub in these healthy and delicious options:
- Matcha – Matcha is a type of green tea, made from sourcing high quality green tea leaves and grinding them into a fine powder, which is then dissolved in hot water. It is incredibly rich in antioxidants, and has a much higher nutritional profile than that of brewed green tea, because you are consuming the entire leaf. As a result, it is a great option for aiding in detoxifying the body, and has a small amount of caffeine to aid in boosting energy and alertness. Brew it with some coconut milk and a bit of vanilla, or simply whisk into hot water until dissolved.
- Chaga – Chaga, cordyceps and reishi mushroom drinks are just starting to gain popularity, and with good reason. They are a natural energy booster, incredibly high in antioxidants and help improve the digestive system, allowing better detoxification and more absorption of nutrients. Because they have been around for many years and use din ancient medicine, they are believed to have several healing properties and are very good for the entire body. The mushrooms are expensive, but totally worth the splurge!
- Golden Milk – The latest trend in hot drinks, golden milk is made using a turmeric spice blend and milk such as almond milk or coconut milk. The spice blend typically consists of turmeric, black pepper, and other spices such as cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and nutmeg, depending on the blend. The turmeric is anti-inflammatory, while the pepper helps enhance the effectiveness of the turmeric and allow your body to benefit from it. The other spices, such as cinnamon and ginger are added for flavor enhancement, but also because cinnamon aids in regulating blood sugar, while ginger helps with digestion and reduce stomach discomfort.
- Tea – It may sound a bit redundant, but tea as an alternative to coffee is not what it used to be. No longer is it simply English Breakfast or Earl Grey tea, with a bit of milk and a teaspoon of sugar. Most stores and cafes now have heaps of tea available, offering everything from herbal tea to oolong to white, black and green. Teas like pu’reh and Yerba Mate are great teas for boosting energy, as they have natural stimulating ingredients in them, while many teas have healthy ingredients that do everything from aid in digestion to boost memory to help with skin health. Don’t dismiss tea as a boring alternative, and start to do some research into different types of teas to try!
- Activated Charcoal – If you want to trick everyone into thinking you are still drinking black coffee, use activated charcoal! A natural detoxifying agent for the body, activated charcoal binds to toxins within your system and helps remove them via chelation. Blended with some milk, vanilla, star anise and fennel, and this makes a beautiful latte, as well as gives a great boost to your digestive health and encourages a healthy liver. Purchase some today, and you’ll be amazed at how many things you can do with it!
By: Laura Peill – (Check out her blog Viand Nutrition & Facebook)
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