Unpacking the latest lifestyle trend – coffee and collagen creamer
Social media is abuzz with people adding collagen creamer to their cup of coffee every morning. And, no wonder! Research shows that collagen has some impressive benefits: from reducing joint pain and helping a leaky gut to improve liver health, increasing your metabolism and, of course, giving you beautiful skin. Coupled with the fact that coffee has proven to be a powerful antioxidant that helps fight inflammation, one can see why the combination has become so popular almost overnight.
Despite coffee’s bad rep, Catherine Clark, Owner and Founder of the Harvest Table says that many of the coffee health-risk myths have been busted, “In fact, we have learnt that coffee, in moderation —1 to 2 cups daily — isn’t bad for you at all. And, in some cases, coffee can even offer some fabulous health benefits!”
Catherine shares what research says about what coffee (in moderation!) can do for you:
1. You can live longer: Several studies have found that coffee drinkers live longer as they have lower rates of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and other lifestyle diseases. One study that followed participants over 16 years found that those who drank 2-3 cups of coffee per day lived longer and had lower levels of inflammation, healthier cholesterol and glucose control.
2. Decreases the chances of getting Alzheimer’s: According to the Alzheimer’s Association, women are more affected by the disease due to biological or genetic differences and also because they tend to live longer. Research found that drinking about three cups of coffee a day was associated with a 65% decreased risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia. The study attributed this to the fact that caffeine prevents the buildup of beta-amyloid plaque that may contribute to the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s.
3. Protects your liver: According to research, the liver is the target for diseases like fatty liver disease and hepatitis. These diseases both cause cirrhosis, a condition in which scar tissue replaces the bulk of the liver. Research found that participants who drank four cups of coffee per day showed up to 80% lower risk of cirrhosis. This is due to decreased blood levels of liver enzymes, which are usually a sign of inflammation and damage if they are high.
She also details the additional benefits of collagen creamer:
1. Gives you a protein boost: Collagen powder is approximately 90% protein. It also accounts for about 33% of the total protein in the body. A study found that adults generally do not consume enough protein in their diets, however, the introduction of a collagen supplement increased the protein in their bodies.
2. Promotes immunity: 70-80% of your immune cells are found in your gastrointestinal tract, so good immunity starts in your gut. Like coffee, it decreases your chances of being susceptible to various diseases in addition to improving your gut health by nourishing your body with nutrients and healing the lining of your stomach.
3. Contributes to your mental health: Regular intake of collagen creamer helps improve your digestive system, and this, in turn, supports the production of serotonin (the happy hormone), 90% of which is found in the gut. So, when you consume collagen creamer, your mental health benefits too!
“It is clear that in the right amount, regular coffee drinking, along with the addition of a collagen creamer, carries more benefits than risks. As with anything though, too much of a good thing can be bad. Also, if you are high risk for any illnesses, always talk to your doctor first,” Catherine concludes.
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