It is no secret that most Americans start their mornings off with a cup of coffee. However, have you ever stopped to think about your morning brew’s effects on your heart health? Here at Integrative Cardiology Center of Long Island, we understand how important it is to focus on what you put into your body to get the most out of it! So, before you sip on your next cup of coffee, please read below to discover how it may be affecting your heart.
Is Caffeine To Blame?
When it comes to asking questions about coffee and one’s heart health, it’s easy to assume that caffeine is the main culprit. This assumption is a rationale one, as caffeine is one of the main reasons people drink coffee each day. When a person consumes too much caffeine, it increases the production of the hormone cortisol. Known as the stress hormone, increased cortisol production can lead to anxiety, weight gain, and even heart disease. However, if you stick to one or two cups of coffee each day, these are not things you will have to worry about. The American Heart Association has even found that moderate coffee drinking does not seem to have any adverse health effects.
What’s Actually Inside Your Cup?
Some people enjoy their morning coffee with nothing else in it. However, most people tend to load their coffee up with creamers, sugars, and artificial sweeteners to give their drink the desired taste. This is where many issues start to arise. Adding copious amounts of these to your coffee each morning can lead to the following issues:
- Increased blood pressure.
- Higher cholesterol levels.
- Long-term weight gain.
- Obesity.
- Diabetes.
- Heart disease.
What Can You Do?
Having a cup or two of coffee each day has not been shown to have adverse effects on your heart health, so it is totally fine to keep this little pick-me-up in your daily routine. Coffee is loaded with antioxidants, has been shown to aid in weight loss, boost your mood, and even reduce the risk of heart disease, type II diabetes, and Parkinson’s! The true issue with coffee lies in what you add to it. We have mentioned that a coffee cup loaded with creamers, sugars, or artificial sweeteners is not a great way to start your mornings. So, try drinking your coffee black or with just some almond milk or other milk alternative! Ditch the sugar, artificial sweeteners, and creamers with mile-long ingredient lists and your heart and body will thank you for it.
Contact Us
Here at Integrative Cardiology Center of Long Island, our goal is to make heart health something that anyone can achieve. By making small changes, such as changing the way you drink your morning coffee, you’ll be playing an active role in maintaining this muscular organ’s health. To learn more ways to improve your heart health, please don’t hesitate to contact our team today!