It is probably safe to say that coffee ranks among the most popular and beloved beverages all over the world, with some estimates stating that more than two billion cups of coffee are consumed globally each day. While many people cannot imagine a morning without a cup of coffee, the question arises: How much coffee should you be drinking in a day?
Obviously, the answer to this question isn’t quite as straightforward as you may have thought! From the perspective of nutritionists and health experts, the ideal consumption depends on a few variables, including your age, weight, current state of health, and any allergies or intolerances.
In general, it is recommended that adults limit their consumption to no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine per day. This equals to about three to four cups of coffee. Too much caffeine can lead to such health issues as insomnia, restlessness, irritability and stomach upset. Particularly sensitive individuals can get a “caffeine rush” from as little as a single cup of coffee a day, so it is best to keep this beverage’s consumption in balance and listen to your body’s cues.
At the same time, if your diet includes a balanced selection of healthy foods and a sufficient water intake, even the recommended 400 milligrams of caffeine won’t cause any damage. On the contrary, some of the research suggests that drinking two to three cups of coffee a day can even offer certain health benefits.
For instance, consuming coffee can reduce the risk of suffering from certain types of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and even certain types of cancer. In addition, coffee can provide an extra dose of essential minerals, such as magnesium and potassium, and it can also help improve performance, mental alertness and productivity. All in all, science suggests that it is the moderation that matters.
Decaffeinated coffee
When it comes to the debate about coffee consumption, specialist also pay attention to decaffeinated coffee. As the name suggests, this beverage goes through a special process of coffee bean extraction that reduces the coffee bean’s caffeine content. In theory, this process should reduce the total number of calories in any food that includes coffee.
However, the decaffeination process itself could trigger the release of toxins or other types of harmful substances in the coffee. This is why some health experts caution against drinking decaffeinated coffee regularly, suggesting instead to moderate the consumption of caffeine-rich varieties. At the end of the day, it all comes down to personal health needs and preferences.
Coffee addiction
For regular coffee drinkers, it is also important to keep in mind that coffee is in fact an addictive substance. Overindulging in the beverage can lead to an increased tolerance and, eventually, an inability to function normally without it. In the more severe cases, this could require professional help to fight an addiction.
Since everyone has an individual body chemistry and reacts to food and beverages differently, it is important to be aware of your own personal health needs and develop a healthy amount of respect for any substances you decide to consume, including caffeine-rich drinks. It is best to listen to your body and trust its messages so that it can get the best of the delicious and beneficial beverage.
Coffee alternatives
Fortunately, even if you decide that drinking coffee on a daily basis is not a health issue in your particular case, you are still free to explore other nutritious and delicious alternatives. For instance, you can give herbal tea a try. Drinks like green tea, jasmine tea, or moringa tea can offer a proper dose of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients, without the stimulating effect some people experience from a cup of coffee.
Another possibility is to integrate superfoods into your diet. Form any sources, almonds, cacao and maca have become especially popular for providing energy-boosting nutrients without the caffeine-related side-effects. All you have to do is get creative and find a diet that works for you.
Coffee and health
In addition, it is important to remember that the relationship between coffee and health is not necessarily a one-way street. Not only can coffee be beneficial when consumed in moderation, but it can also be an efficient health aid in more specific ways. As an example, you can use coffee as an exfoliating agent – just grind and mix some coffee grains with other natural ingredients and use the resulting mixture as a potent and affordable scrub.
Coffee can also help reduce the appearance and itching of insect bites. For instance, a paste made of coffee grounds and water can help reduce the discomfort and itching from spider, mosquito and other bug bites. In addition, you can use coffee for headaches and to reduce the occurrence of migraine or to quickly relieve cold feet – just grind some coffee grounds and add them to warm water.
Coffee and beauty
Not surprisingly, coffee has infiltrated the beauty and cosmetics products market a long time ago. As we know, coffee is a powerful antioxidant and it can also help stimulate blood circulation. This makes it an ideal ingredient for skin as well as for hair treatments.
For example, some people use homemade coffee masks to reduce the appearance of scars, blemishes and dark circles. Coffee is also often sprinkled into body scrubs and hair treatments that nourish and strengthen scalp and hair. This is why many professional beauty salons offer coffee-based treatments and products.
Coffee and home remedies
As already mentioned, coffee can be used for many other purposes. In addition to treating skin, hair, headaches and insect bites, there are a multitude of other home remedies that involve this rich and flavorful beverage. For instance, you can use coffee grinds to make a refreshing foot bath or to clean the kitchenware.
Moreover, a strong cup of coffee can contribute to the elimination of odors in your home. For that, you have to spread out several plates with freshly ground coffee beans across the non-carpeted areas of your home. Make sure that the grinds are spread evenly and then leave them for a few hours.
In addition, applying a mixture of coffee and olive oil on the wooden furniture can help restore the wood’s shine and volume. All you have to do is mix the two ingredients and use a soft cloth to apply the mixture onto the surface. Wipe any excess with the same cloth and watch your furniture glow.
The final word
As you can see, there’s more to coffee than just sipping a delicious cup in the morning. Having said that, it is also important to remember that moderation is of utmost importance and that drinking too much coffee could potentially be detrimental to your health.
It is best to consult your doctor or health expert about the optimal amount of coffee for your individual needs and make sure that coffee consumption is just one part of a balanced lifestyle and diet. Simply put, coffee can be beneficial in moderation and it can offer a great source of natural nutrition, energy and pleasure, if consumed responsibly.
