A steaming cup of coffee can brighten your day, lift your spirits, and set you up for a productive day. Its numerous benefits are proven by research. Some studies even claim that it increases longevity and prevents a wide range of chronic diseases. But to reap the full benefits of this nutritious beverage, it’s important to keep certain factors in mind when consuming your favorite drink.
There are numerous studies that support the consumption of this aromatic beverage, as long as it is done in moderation. According to studies, drinking 2 to 5 cups of coffee can reduce the risk of premature death, developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, liver disease, endometrial cancer, Parkinson’s disease and depression. However, increasing the intake to more than 5 cups could reverse the benefits and cause unwanted side effects such as anxiety, depression, restlessness, nausea and other side effects.
If you’re still not sure whether you’re drinking coffee or not, scroll down to find out.
The Top Mistakes We Make When Drinking CoffeeTo start, let’s understand the most common mistakes we make when drinking coffee. The good news is that we can easily correct them if we make some conscious choices.
1. We tend to exaggerate: The risk associated with loving coffee is that one can quickly become addicted to it. But the downside starts here. Drinking excessive amounts of coffee can lead to insomnia, increased heart rate, anxiety, digestive problems, and even heart palpitations.
2. We let our sweet tooth take over: You can easily reverse all the benefits of coffee if you add too much sugar to your cup. Adding large amounts of sugar or flavored syrups can turn a healthy cup of coffee into a calorie-laden beverage, increasing your risk of weight gain, diabetes, and other health problems. Opt for natural sweeteners like stevia or limit the amount of sugar you use.
3. Adding additives harmful to health: “Many commercial creams contain harmful trans fats, artificial sweeteners and other additives. Choose healthier options like almond milk, coconut milk or a small amount of full-fat milk,” says Dr G. Sneha, consultant, internal medicine, CARE Hospitals Banjarahills Hyderabad.
4. Drinking coffee on an empty stomach: Wait an hour before pouring yourself a hot cup of coffee. Your patience can pay off. Drinking coffee first thing in the morning on an empty stomach can increase heartburn, leading to digestive upset, acid reflux, and other gastrointestinal problems. Have a small snack or breakfast before drinking your coffee.
5. Relying solely on coffee to stay awake and active: Using coffee as a primary source of energy instead of getting enough sleep, proper nutrition and regular exercise can lead to burnout and a cycle of caffeine dependency, says Dr. Sneha.
6. Not drinking enough water: Coffee is a diuretic, meaning it can increase urine output and potentially lead to dehydration if not balanced with sufficient water intake. Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated.
The correct way to drink coffeeIt is not that we know the most common mistakes that we can all make when drinking coffee, but we should also know what is the correct way to drink it.
1. Keep a journal or remember to do so, but always try to limit your coffee consumption to a maximum of 4 cups per day, as the dangers of excessive consumption may outweigh the benefits.
2. Wait an hour after waking up to make yourself a cup of coffee. Most coffee addicts or lovers make themselves a cup of coffee as soon as they wake up.
3. Drink a glass of water before having a cup of coffee. This rule will ensure you stay well hydrated.
4. Add plenty of hydrating fruits to your diet to avoid dehydration caused by coffee.
The right and wrong time to drink coffee
Have your first cup of coffee within an hour of waking up. Ideally, it should be between 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. It’s best to avoid caffeine after 7:00 p.m., as it can disrupt sleep.
How many cups of coffee should you drink?
It is generally recommended to limit coffee consumption to about 3 to 4 cups a day, says Dr. Sneha.
There are numerous studies that support the consumption of this aromatic beverage, as long as it is done in moderation. According to studies, drinking 2 to 5 cups of coffee can reduce the risk of premature death, developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, liver disease, endometrial cancer, Parkinson’s disease and depression. However, increasing the intake to more than 5 cups could reverse the benefits and cause unwanted side effects such as anxiety, depression, restlessness, nausea and other side effects.
If you’re still not sure whether you’re drinking coffee or not, scroll down to find out.
The Top Mistakes We Make When Drinking CoffeeTo start, let’s understand the most common mistakes we make when drinking coffee. The good news is that we can easily correct them if we make some conscious choices.
1. We tend to exaggerate: The risk associated with loving coffee is that one can quickly become addicted to it. But the downside starts here. Drinking excessive amounts of coffee can lead to insomnia, increased heart rate, anxiety, digestive problems, and even heart palpitations.
2. We let our sweet tooth take over: You can easily reverse all the benefits of coffee if you add too much sugar to your cup. Adding large amounts of sugar or flavored syrups can turn a healthy cup of coffee into a calorie-laden beverage, increasing your risk of weight gain, diabetes, and other health problems. Opt for natural sweeteners like stevia or limit the amount of sugar you use.
3. Adding additives harmful to health: “Many commercial creams contain harmful trans fats, artificial sweeteners and other additives. Choose healthier options like almond milk, coconut milk or a small amount of full-fat milk,” says Dr G. Sneha, consultant, internal medicine, CARE Hospitals Banjarahills Hyderabad.
4. Drinking coffee on an empty stomach: Wait an hour before pouring yourself a hot cup of coffee. Your patience can pay off. Drinking coffee first thing in the morning on an empty stomach can increase heartburn, leading to digestive upset, acid reflux, and other gastrointestinal problems. Have a small snack or breakfast before drinking your coffee.
5. Relying solely on coffee to stay awake and active: Using coffee as a primary source of energy instead of getting enough sleep, proper nutrition and regular exercise can lead to burnout and a cycle of caffeine dependency, says Dr. Sneha.
6. Not drinking enough water: Coffee is a diuretic, meaning it can increase urine output and potentially lead to dehydration if not balanced with sufficient water intake. Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated.
The correct way to drink coffeeIt is not that we know the most common mistakes that we can all make when drinking coffee, but we should also know what is the correct way to drink it.
1. Keep a journal or remember to do so, but always try to limit your coffee consumption to a maximum of 4 cups per day, as the dangers of excessive consumption may outweigh the benefits.
2. Wait an hour after waking up to make yourself a cup of coffee. Most coffee addicts or lovers make themselves a cup of coffee as soon as they wake up.
3. Drink a glass of water before having a cup of coffee. This rule will ensure you stay well hydrated.
4. Add plenty of hydrating fruits to your diet to avoid dehydration caused by coffee.
The right and wrong time to drink coffee
Have your first cup of coffee within an hour of waking up. Ideally, it should be between 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. It’s best to avoid caffeine after 7:00 p.m., as it can disrupt sleep.
How many cups of coffee should you drink?
It is generally recommended to limit coffee consumption to about 3 to 4 cups a day, says Dr. Sneha.
