Coffee is such a highly debated topic in the nutrition world. And for good reason. There is a lot of contradictory information out there on the potential effects on the body. ⠀
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Here are a few of my thoughts on the topic: ⠀
I love coffee. I always look forward to it in the morning. It brings warmth, comfort and peace to start my day. It’s important to acknowledge that coffee doesn’t have the same impact on each individual. Some people feel little to no affect from it, stimulation wise, and others are jittery after a few sips. This is because we are all unique! We metabolize at different rates. ⠀
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So what are some key things to remember about coffee and your health? ⠀
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• If you have a digestive concern or disease such as IBS/D, Colitis or Crohn's the stimulating effect of coffee may be an issue for you. You may want to consider cutting back to 1 cup per day or eliminating completely. ⠀
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• Caffeine of any kind has an effect on neurotransmitters and hormones. The stimulation of specific chemicals in the body can lead to increased adrenaline, heart rate and cause anxiety. If this is already an issue for you, you may be adding fuel to the fire with each cup of joe. ⠀
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• Caffeine is a stimulant. If you have sleep troubles, try omitting completely for a little while. You may be surprised that the 8AM cup of coffee is indeed keeping you up at night. ⠀
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• Quality matters - Sure fast and easy is appealing (i'm looking at you coffee pods) but it’s important to note that coffee beans are one of the most heavily sprayed crops. Choose organic! Mycotoxins are also present in coffee beans and it’s important to ensure your beans have gone through quality control to test for mold and fungi levels. ⠀
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• Quantity matters - The general recommendation is to stay under 300mg of combined caffeine intake per day. This includes any coffee, caffeinated teas, and chocolate. One cup of coffee has approx 100 mg of caffeine. During pregnancy and postpartum breastfeeding the recommendation is to stay under 100mg per day - or one cup. ⠀
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• Fair trade: It’s so important to ensure you are sourcing your coffee beans in a way that nurtures the farmers growing and harvesting them. Purchase fair trade to ensure they are being paid fair wages and treated humanely. ⠀
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• The last thing I want to add is what you PUT IN your coffee is just as important. I absolutely recommend to reduce or eliminate the added sugar and cream you are putting in there. Consider coconut oil, coconut cream, mct, collagen, or a nut/oat milk alternative. ⠀
Moderation is key here.
🙋🏼♀️I am guilty slacking in a few of these departments lately and will be making some changes to my coffee habits. Will you?