Drink your way to better health with your favorite hot beverage.
Good news. Your morning coffee habit might actually be better for you than you think. While excessive caffeine intake might mess with your sleep cycle, those couple of cups of coffee or tea are not only beneficial for your body and mind but can also be a foundation for other wellness habits. Read on to learn how to turn your morning cup into a wellness powerhouse.
Coffee and tea on their own are shown to be beneficial for your your body and mind
- Consistent evidence indicates that drinking coffee is linked to reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in adults.
- Research suggests that a higher caffeine intake is associated with slightly lower rates of weight gain in the long term. However, this effect may be negated by adding sweeteners and cream to coffee.
- Moreover, moderate evidence shows a protective association between caffeine intake and risk of Parkinson’s disease.
- Coffee, without added sugars, is a notable source of potassium for adults. A diet rich in potassium helps to offset some of sodium's harmful effects on blood pressure.
- Besides caffeine, tea contains many bioactive ingredients including polyphenols. Emerging evidence suggests that the flavonoids in tea may be associated with beneficial health outcomes. Through their antioxidant activity, flavonoids help your body ward off everyday toxins.
- Herbal teas are a great way to stay hydrated. They are naturally caffeine-free and contribute towards your water intake in case you need help getting those liquids in throughout the day.
- Some research suggests that drinking caffeine may worsen the hot flashes and night sweats in women as they go through menopause. However, they have fewer problems with mood, memory, and concentration. If you’re experiencing hot flashes, you might want to keep the number of cups of coffee per day in check or opt for lower caffeine tea and decaf coffee to reap the benefits without aggravating some of the symptoms.
So it’s a no-brainer to enjoy your hot beverages. Yet, there’s more you can do to make your coffee and tea work harder for you.
Here’s how to supercharge your coffee and tea
- Add some cinnamon or cacao powder to your coffee. This will add a touch of sweetness and might help to reduce the amount of sugar you need. Feeling adventurous, try making golden chai by spicing up your black tea with some turmeric, cloves, cinnamon ginger and a milk of your choice.
- Skip the sweetener but don’t skimp on milk if you don’t like your coffee on its own… Opt for milk instead of higher fat cream. If you are lactose intolerant, try lactose-free dairy. Not only will you be getting some calcium and vitamin D, but also boost your protein intake in the morning.
- Instead of your usual biscuit, try Shevolve Daily Bites that pair perfectly with coffee and tea. Soft and chewy bites come in flavors like Lemon and Chocolate and deliver just the right amount of nutrients and just the right ones for you. All in one tasty and satisfying bite. So you’ll be able to enjoy a sweet treat and replace the gross pill supplements.
- For maximum flavor and nutrition impact, brew your tea fresh. And if you are looking for more flavor, squeeze some lemon or orange. Bonus: the citric acid and vitamin C from citrus will help preserve the flavonoids in tea.
- A ritual of drinking coffee or tea helps set the day and can be a foundation of your self care routine. Set the tone for the day by letting your mind fill with gratitude and set the intention for the fresh new start as you savor your beverage.
Note that moderation is key when it comes to caffeinated beverages…
More is not always better. Just like more supplements are not going to do your body good, caffeine is great in limited doses. Up to 400 milligrams of caffeine a day appears to be safe for most healthy adults. That's roughly the amount of caffeine in four cups of brewed coffee. Since it’s a diuretic, if you drink more than two cups of coffee, dial up your plain water intake.
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