Is Drinking Coffee Healthy?

Some of the most common questions we hear are: “Is coffee healthy?”, “is caffeine bad for you?” and “how can I drink coffee and be healthy?” We’re here to provide some clarity and debunk myths and misconceptions.

Caffeine is Good in Moderation

People drink coffee not only for its flavor, but also for its caffeine content. Extensive research and studies have shown that caffeine and coffee are beneficial in moderation, much like most foods and beverages. When consumed in moderation, coffee can help reduce the risk of heart disease among other diseases as well as help speed up the metabolism (while being a low-calorie beverage to begin with). Coffee is also naturally a diuretic, which can help those with gastrointestinal issues (a.k.a. keep your metabolism moving!).

The recommended amount of daily caffeine one should consume is up to 400mg. This amount, however, is not universal and should be taken into consideration with one’s own limits and metabolism. Some people are able to consume caffeine without any side effects or alterations to their circadian rhythms whereas others may have the slightest bit of caffeine and find themselves awake through the night.

Taking into account your personal relationship with caffeine, coffee can actually have beneficial effects and act as a healthy supplement to your lifestyle! 

Drinking Habits Matter

What kind of coffee do you drink? How much coffee do you drink in a day? How do you drink your coffee? The answers to these questions can determine whether your coffee routine is helping or hurting you. 

Not all coffee is the same! The two most widely consumed species of coffee are arabica and robusta. Robusta coffee beans have nearly twice the caffeine as their arabica counterparts, so if you drink two cups of robusta, you’re actually consuming the equivalent of four cups of most arabica coffees. Keeping track of your caffeine consumption can help you monitor your own health and know your own limits when it comes to caffeine.

Speaking of monitoring caffeine consumption, it’s a good rule of thumb to know how much caffeine is in a standard cup of coffee. Standard 8 fl oz cups of coffee have about 95mg of caffeine, so you should be having at maximum around 4-5 cups of coffee in a day. If you drink espresso, Americanos, or phin filter brewed coffee, the caffeine content will vary, and you should take this into account as you track how much caffeine you consume with how it affects you.

Additionally, if you drink coffee with copious amounts of sugar and milk, the calories can add up! By no means are we saying you should always drink your coffee black, but again– everything in moderation, especially if you’re trying to find ways to consume coffee more healthily.

How to Consume Coffee in a Healthy Way

Coffee is a universally beloved coffee. Many people around the world love coffee and have it as part of their daily lifestyle! That said, it can be easy to overdo it if you aren’t used to drinking coffee or consume it differently every day. How can we consume coffee and still be healthy?

For starters, consider how coffee makes you feel after you drink it. If you experience extreme jitters or sleeplessness, then perhaps lowering your intake or switching to decaf coffee may be the best solution for you if you still want to enjoy the roasty, nutty beverage. It's important to note that if you enjoy coffee with a lot of sugar, the added sugar can contribute to jitters or a crash.

If you’re looking to cut back on sugar and dairy, consider drinking coffee black or with sweetener and milk alternatives such as our vegan Vietnamese iced coffee. 

Remember the age-old adage: everything in moderation. Whether that means starting with a cup a day or reducing how much you drink gradually, you got this! Ultimately, you know yourself best and will find your personal healthy relationship with coffee one cup at a time!

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Shop our Vietnamese Coffee Starter Kit here.

Shop our Vietnamese Coffee Trio and try both arabica & robusta coffee.

Try our Dark Roast Trio today.

Check out our brew guide with other ways to enjoy our coffee (healthily).