Should You Order That Coffee? – HealthyDiningFinder

Are you a coffee lover? You may be wondering how that daily cup (or two or five) affects your health. It seems like the debate over coffee as a health food vs. a health vice is always raging. So, should you order that cup of coffee with breakfast or not?

By Sara Lucero

The good news is that in recent years more and more experts and studies have backed coffee as a healthy part of the average person’s diet. Not that you have to run out and start drinking the stuff if you don’t already! It’s true. Research has debunked many of the old myths surrounding coffee (stunted growth anyone?) and instead uncovered some strong potential benefits for most of us. In a variety of studies and meta analyses, researchers have linked coffee to:

Reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and liver disease
Reduced risk of stroke and heart disease
A boost in longevity

Coffee – that warm and inviting smell, that smooth and buttery flavor and potential health benefits? Yes, please! We’re happy to raise a cup this Coffee Day and every day.

Some experts do recommend sticking with filtered coffee. It turns out that the paper filter actually removes certain compounds that may increase LDL cholesterol. However, the verdict is still out on this one! In addition, certain groups including pregnant women and those with hypertension should limit or avoid coffee for health reasons.

As with anything else, how you drink your coffee also makes a difference. Drinking your coffee black adds a lot of flavor, a little caffeine and almost no calories to your diet. In contrast, drinking an extra-large mocha creation with a whipped cream topping could potentially add hundreds of calories to your day! If you need a little extra something in your cup of joe, keep in mind that each addition of milk, sugar or creamer will add some extra calories to your coffee.

What’s your favorite coffee? How do you like to savor it?