February is officially Heart Health Month and I wanted to draw a bit of attention to it. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S. However, it is also the most preventable. Things like making healthy choices, knowing your family history and managing your risk are all important factors in prevention. Since I am NOT a health professional I am going to focus on something I do know... and that is Coffee! This is good news for us that love that sweet bean.
How can coffee help with heart disease prevention? Well we first need to understand a little about Heart Disease. HD is caused mainly by a build up of calcium (plaque) in the arteries. These clogged arteries are what lead to blood clots, heart attacks and other types of heart failure.
A dutch study found that coffee consumption was shown to reduce that buildup and allow the adequate blood flow to and from the heart.
What we should note is that it is not actually the caffeine but the combo of the compounds and oils in coffee that breakdown the calcium and improve the circulation in the cardiovascular system. Those natural antioxidants work together with potassium, fiber and other minerals that provide the positive effects. Yes, these can also be found in other sources but coffee consumption is the easiest and most effective way to digest them. Not to mention, one can get the largest amount of antioxidants from their diet by drinking coffee, much more than any other provided source.
The recommended dose of coffee is no more than 6 cups. That's CUPS y'all not MUGS. Remember 8 oz is a cup, not your 24 oz Yeti! Also, while black coffee itself is helpful in reducing heart disease it is important to be mindful of what is put into it to for flavor, as sugar and cream can be high in fat and calories which can counteract all those awesome health benefits you are adding by consuming coffee!
Looking for a great tasting coffee? You know I got you boo... Check out my website and find the perfect match to help you reduce your risk!