Ahhhh coffee, just writing the word makes me happy. I can already feel the warmth of the mug, the smell of roasted coffee beans in the air and the sense that productive work is about to go down! But is it really healthy for us grad students to be drinking it?

I am going to be honest, this article will be a bit bias as it is coming from a girl who really loves her coffee.

But am I fishing for health information to say its good for me?

Not necessarily.

Without going into too much detail, this article will break down some of the advantages and disadvantages of coffee for your health. It is written with the help of my sister who is a Dietitian, as well as information and links to some of my favourite health food blogs.

 The good

First and foremost, we all know what coffee can do for us in the short-term; it helps us stay alert and can show cognitive enhancing functions – one of the many reasons why us grad students love it.

Secondly, coffee usually gets a bad rep for being unhealthy because of all the add-ins that you can put in it, like sugar. But it can also be part of a healthy diet if ditch the add-in’s and you consume the recommended amount.

For more information on the health benefits (such as the potential decreased risk of diseases) and for a breakdown of recommended limits, as well as conversions to coffee ship sizes like Starbucks, check out one of my favourite YouTuber’s and the PickUpLimes blog post here.

 

PRO TIP: Try using plant-based milks for cappuccinos or lattes and skip the sugar altogether, or at least try to gradually cut it out.

 

 

Lastly, many people think that coffee dehydrates us, which isn’t true. However, it doesn’t necessarily hydrate us either. So I guess there is no real benefit here, but to know that it is not dehydrating me is a win!

The bad

The addiction is real…. but actually. Becoming dependant on coffee can lead to withdrawal symptoms like headaches and shakiness (I’ve been there, it’s not fun).

If you are someone who takes supplements (like iron or zinc) it may decrease your ability to absorb the nutrients. So make sure not to take them with your coffee.

And coffee is also linked to increased anxiety and insomnia. So if you are someone who is very anxious to begin with or has trouble sleeping in the first place (what grad student isn’t?) then perhaps skip that afternoon cup and opt for tea instead.

The verdict

Everything in moderation.

Cut out the sugar.

Buy consciously (fair-trade and organic) when possible.

And enjoy that cup of joe because YOLO! Am I right?

For more information on getting the good quality coffee, check out the Joyous Health blog here.

As always, I would love to hear from you as I know there are some fellow coffee lovers out there as well. And if you are studying nutrition I would especially love to hear from you too!

Until next time,

 

 

 

P.S Don’t forget to use #ScholarCulture #ScholarSquad #ScholarSunday to keep me updated on your experiences as grad students.

P.P.S Applying to grad school for the 2019/20 school year? Check out this FREE eBook on 5 steps to a successful grad school application. Are you in grad school and struggling to find easy lunches to bring to campus? Check out three FREE recipes and full nutritional information here.