There’s nothing like jumpstarting your morning with a good cup of coffee. Not only does this caffeinated beverage give you an energy boost, but it also has the potential to come with a variety of other health benefits too. Who would’ve thought?
There’s a caveat, though. In order to maximize the health benefits, you need to choose the right roast, brewing style, and temperature. Each of these requirements plays a major role in the composition of nutrients your body intakes when you drink them.
In this article, we’ll explain how to maximize the health benefits of your morning cup of joe by using the right beans, grounding them yourself, and what you should and shouldn’t add to the drink.
Brew With Healthy Coffee Beans
The type of bean and roast you brew with is the most important factor in making a healthy cup of coffee. Depending on your choice, you have the possibility of reducing your risk of liver or colon cancer, type 2 diabetes or stroke, and even death.
Coffee beans contain plant-based compounds called polyphenols. Polyphenols are vital for your health because they lower blood pressure and keep blood vessels healthy and flexible. Coffee experts recommend using beans from the Huila region of Columbia, or beans from Peru, Bolivia, Costa Rica, or Ethiopia.
When it comes to roasting the beans, a light roast is the better option. Roasting deepens the bean’s flavor and using a light roast prevents the polyphenols and other nutrients in the bean from breaking down too much. To achieve a light roast, brew your coffee with water that is hot, but not boiling.
Ground The Coffee Beans Yourself and Use While Fresh
Buying pre-ground coffee or grounding it and storing it for another time won’t compromise the health benefits of your coffee. However, the longer ground coffee sits, the more it oxidizes and loses its flavor. Coffee experts say that grinding your coffee right before you plan to brew will maximize the taste.
The best part about grinding your coffee yourself is having the ability to grind it as finely as you choose. The general rule for grinding is to try to get it as fine as possible. The longer you grind and the finer it gets, the polyphenols from each bean are released more. This means that finer grinds give you more benefits.
Use Minimal Add-Ons
Ideally, the healthiest cup of joe would be straight black. However, that shouldn’t keep you from customizing your drink to your preference. If you don’t care for black coffee, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Avoid using sugar.
- Use low-fat or plant-based milk.
- Steer away from sugary and high-fat coffee creamers.
Parting Thoughts
Coffee is an essential part of so many mornings. While you may think it isn’t a healthy way to start a day, there are certain beans and blends that offer major health benefits. Using high-quality beans and finely blended grounds will ensure you’re getting necessary polyphenols for your body.