The healthiest coffee is an Espresso

A recent dietary report produced by a government advisory committee in the US has for the first time mentioned caffeine as a dietary recommendation. Rather than suggesting that caffeine should be eliminated altogether, it stated that Americans could safely consume up to five cups a day or approximately 400 milligrams of caffeine with no detrimental effects.

This is great news for the coffee industry and a definite sign of the times as coffee shops and coffee chains grow year on year. In the UK there are now more than 18,000 outlets which serve about 1.7bn cups of coffee each year, and of course there are many many cups drunk at home too. Most coffee drinkers however, did not start drinking coffee because they thought that it was good for their health, but in fact many probably thought that it probably was not. So if you are a regular coffee drinker like so many of us are, then you are now in for a pleasant surprise as it turns out that coffee may officially be good for you after all!

The more research that comes out the more it becomes clear that coffee in its organic, black, purest form is a beverage you can enjoy while also benefitting your health. Over the years it has been associated with lowering the risks of suffering from a stroke, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, and now the general consensus is that drinking organic espressos – the healthiest coffee – is the best option.

For many people today coffee has become synonymous with heavily sweetened caramel, chocolate or vanilla flavoured beverages. But by dousing your coffee in milk, cream, sugar and flavourings, you are missing out on the therapeutic benefits of the natural blend of polyphenol antioxidants, which are part of what makes coffee so healthy. Research has shown that adding dairy products to coffee may interfere with the body’s absorption of beneficial chlorogenic acids and adding sugar will spike insulin levels.

Drinking coffee black without sugar, cream, milk or flavourings will ensure it’s the healthiest it can be. But for people who really can’t drink it black then they can add a non-dairy alternative such as coconut milk or a natural sweetener. Also, drinking organic coffee whenever possible will add to the positive health effects, as the beans will be free of pesticides and other chemicals that may destroy them.

The healthiest coffee is an espresso.