Why Coffee Should Be Part of Your New Year’s Resolution Diet
It will not be long before we start thinking about those annual New Year’s resolutions. No doubt there are a lot of very good things we can resolve to do in the coming year. For some of us, 2019 resolutions will involve embracing a healthier diet. Coffee should be part of any such diet.
Over the years, we have documented many of the benefits that come from consuming moderate amounts of coffee on a regular basis. We will do so again in this post.
Coffee Contains Bioactive Compounds
According to a 2017 report published by the New England Journal of Medicine, coffee contains more than 1,000 bioactive compounds, many of which offer potential health benefits. A bioactive compound is a compound found in food that has a direct action on the person or animal consuming it. We obviously want to consume those compounds that generate a positive action.
Coffee Consumption Reduces Some Health Risks
That same New England Journal of Medicine report documented how regular coffee consumption reduces the risks of certain medical conditions. The report also stated that “coffee consumption… was associated more often with benefit than with harm.”
The report went on to say that regular coffee consumption reduces the risks of:
- cardiovascular disease and death
- some cancers (e.g. melanoma, prostate cancer, liver cancer)
- neurological diseases (e.g., Parkinson’s disease)
- type II diabetes
- hepatic cirrhosis.
The report also mentions “other diseases” without specifying them. The long and short of it is that the bioactive compounds found in coffee are generally good for human health when coffee is consumed in moderate amounts. The report defines moderation as 3 to 4 cups per day.
Coffee and Alzheimer’s Disease
Regular coffee consumption has been linked with a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. According to one 2010 study from Finland, drinking 3-5 cups of caffeinated coffee per day in middle age could reduce the Alzheimer’s risk by up to 65% later in life. Though scientists are not sure why, they suspect it has something to do with the stimulating effects of caffeine.
It is a Great Substitute
It can be hard to find good beverages to support a healthy diet if you are not a big fan of drinking water throughout the day. Yes, you still need to consume healthy amounts of water, but what else do you drink? Coffee is an excellent substitute for diet sodas, high-sugar fruit drinks, and even energy drinks.
A cup of black coffee has absolutely no sugar and only about 2.4 calories per cup. As long as you don’t add sugar or high-calorie creamer, coffee is the perfect diet drink.
Drink It Hot or Cold
Finally, coffee is an all-purpose drink for dieters because it can be consumed either hot or cold. Drink it hot in the morning and cold in the afternoon. And by the way, cold brew coffee is a lot less bitter than a traditional hot brew. Many people find cold brew very satisfying without the need for any added flavorings.
We are obviously huge fans of coffee here at Galaxie Coffee. If we can help you make coffee a bigger part of your New Year’s resolution diet, please let us know. We would be happy to equip your office with state-of-the-art brewing equipment and a variety of delicious coffees and teas.