Written By: Tracy Shue

If you’re anything like me, then coffee is your preferred source of a caffeine boost or an anytime-of-day pick-me-up. With new coffee shops popping up on every corner, how you get your coffee is always changing and expanding…

A cold brew with seasonal cold foam on top. An Americano for extra sleepy days. A blended drink topped with whipped cream (that’s really more like dessert than coffee). A cup of coffee taken black or with a touch of creamer. The possibilities really do seem to be endless!

And, black coffee can actually be good for your health. According to a Johns Hopkins Medicine article, coffee can:

• help you live longer
• help your body process sugar more effectively
• make you less likely to develop certain diseases like heart failure, type-2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and more

While black coffee possesses potential health benefits, the quality and source of your coffee can greatly impact these benefits and your well-being.

Have you stopped to think about where your coffee comes from? (And what’s really in that fresh cup of joe?)

Opting for high-quality, organic coffee beans ensures that you are not consuming harmful pesticides, herbicides or other molds and toxins that may be present in most conventional coffee beans. 

Coffee is most likely to contain mycotoxins from mold, which have been linked to chronic inflammation and autoimmune conditions. By selecting organic coffee, you are safeguarding yourself against chemical exposure.

Next time you get yourself a cup of coffee, take these factors into consideration: 

• Do research on where your coffee beans/grounds come from. Many coffee options found in the grocery store aren’t of the highest quality, nor are they fresh. Try opting for a local roastery, or check your local coffee shop for beans. If you don’t have a bean grinder at home, most coffee shops will grind the bag for you.
• Be mindful of your sweeteners. If you are loading up your coffee with heaps of processed sugars, artificial sweeteners and syrups, it can be equally detrimental for your health. 
• Try swapping out your regular sugar for more gut-friendly options such as raw local honey, pure maple syrup, coconut sugar, or stevia. 
• Experiment with homemade creamers. Most store-bought creamers are filled with sugar and unhealthy fake sweeteners. Homemade creamers give you control of what you are using. 
• Top your coffee with cinnamon. Cinnamon has been shown to stabilize blood sugar levels and adds a little sweetness to your coffee. 

In pursuing better health, reconsidering the type of coffee you drink and how you drink it can be a simple way to make a change for the better – and you may even boost the flavor and benefits of your favorite beverage!

Tracy Shue is a Board-Certified Functional Medicine Nurse Specialist, and has worked as a registered nurse for over 12 years. She is trained in functional medicine and holistic nutrition, as well as other holistic approaches to wellness.

She joined the Graceful Balance team earlier this year, and is passionate about helping others make positive changes towards a happier, healthier life.

Work with Tracy