A cup of coffee sets you up for a long day. If you think that's the best this energising beverage can do, think again. Contrary to popular belief, coffee offers many benefits to uplift your mental concentration, emotional well-being, and physical health. International Coffee Day is observed on 1st October to celebrate this and applaud the efforts of coffee workers who bring you this wholesome beverage. Read on to know how to celebrate this day in the best way.

Health Benefits of Coffee

Caffeine is not the only thing about coffee. Research has shown it is also a rich source of vitamin B2, magnesium, and plant chemicals. When consumed in moderation, this hot beverage perks up alertness, energy, and the ability to concentrate. Moreover, the presence of antioxidants in coffee protects your heart against various heart diseases, Alzheimer's disease, cancers, etc.

Healthy Choices to Make the Most of Coffee

You can make conscious decisions to take advantage of coffee's health benefits while consuming it. Consider following these tips to reap the advantages of coffee.

Forego sweeteners

Sugar is the go-to ingredient to cut down coffee's bitter taste. While the quantity is a personal choice, you should keep it low. Excess sugar discounts coffee's health benefits as sweeteners increase the risk of diabetes and obesity. If you still like your coffee sweet, you can replace refined sugar with a natural sweetener like stevia.

Avoid artificial creamers

If you do not like having your coffee black, you can dilute it with creamers. The easiest choice is to opt for commercial creamers, but they contain processed ingredients that negatively impact your health. A better alternative is whole milk or full-fat cream with a dash of honey.

Go organic

The popularity of coffee has given rise to several competitive brands. Each of them pitches an attractive selling point, making the selection overwhelming. The simplest method to narrow your choice is going organic and choosing coffee beans free from pesticides and harmful chemicals.

Mind the timing

Coffee introduces caffeine to your diet, which awakens you and helps you concentrate. These benefits are helpful when you are about to start your day. But they prove detrimental to your sleep. Hence, consuming coffee late in the day leads to an imbalanced sleep cycle which causes significant health issues.

Combine it with meals

Drinking coffee on an empty stomach disrupts your stomach's lining, triggers an acidic reaction, and causes constipation. You can avoid this by pairing your coffee with a light snack. You can also consume coffee with the most important meal of the day – breakfast. A healthy breakfast and coffee give you the energy boost needed for a productive day.

Get Health Insurance

Making healthy choices goes beyond changing your coffee consumption habits. In the long run, protecting your health from unforeseen emergencies is also necessary. This is where health insurance plays a crucial role. Health insurance financially protects you during medical emergencies and allows you to seek the best treatment and care without any hassles.

Make health your priority while you indulge in coffee this International Coffee Day and stay protected with health insurance.