Many people around the world begin their day with a nice hot cup of coffee. On every street you pass, there seems to be a coffee shop of some sort drawing people in during their morning commute. It is amazing to see the long lines of cars outside the drive-thru coffee shops, and to see the amount of people who take part in this ritual on a daily basis! This leads me to a question that I am often asked, “Is coffee paleo”? We will be exploring the topic within this blog to gain a better understanding of the paleo diet, allowing for an eye-opening and informative experience!
You will see on my FAQ page, that this is a common question. The simple answer would be that coffee is a bean, and beans are not consumed on the paleo diet. Our paleo ancestors did not go through the roasting and extraction processes that we are capable of doing today, and therefore, coffee does not fit with the diet.
Though not considered paleo, coffee actually has some pretty incredible health benefits. Coffee is rich in antioxidants and also contains high levels of vitamin B2 and Magnesium. Research has found that drinking black coffee can actually help prevent Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, manage diabetes, improve mood and liver health, reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease, and prevent other health problems as well. The overall benefits of coffee also include easing inflammation, weight loss, boosting metabolism, healthier gut microbiotas, improved cognitive functioning and healthier arteries. There is significant reason to believe that adding a cup of coffee into your diet is beneficial to your health!
The first thing you may want to ask yourself is whether or not you rely on or need coffee. I understand that coffee is a huge part of our social culture, and for many people it has become an essential part of their daily life. If this is you, I would encourage you to try and wean yourself off of it so you can truly look at the way the paleo diet benefits your body and overall health. The truth is that indulging in coffee could be holding you back from some of the benefits that this diet has to offer.
This leads into the topic of hormones and paleo. The paleo diet helps to balance our hormone levels. What can happen with a stimulant such as coffee is that these levels can go askew. Coffee is unnaturally stimulating the body, leading to fake energy, and therefore can inhibit the full positive effect that the paleo diet can have on one’s body. The meals that you consume on the paleo diet are said to balance out blood sugar and give you the natural energy and fuel you will need to take on the day. You may be surprised with just how energized you may feel without coffee once you fully embrace the paleo lifestyle.
This does not mean that you need to put the cup of joe down for good, I think of every diet as a template where you can find what works for you. Maybe you are not wanting to stop your coffee routine, but instead would be interested in healthier coffee options. Lucky for you…these do exist!! Bulletproof Coffee is one option that makes coffee a better paleo option by using ingredients such as ghee and coconut oil instead of butter. If you are interested in trying a coffee that strives towards increasing health benefits, then Purity Coffee may be another place to begin your search! These are just two options listed for you, but there are so many more out there. I encourage you to search for what is right for you.
Following the paleo diet doesn’t put you in a box, but rather gives you the opportunity to explore new options to reap the health benefits you desire. So is coffee paleo…no, but it is ok to indulge at times, or to find a healthier option. I love a good cup of coffee, especially on my European travels, and I have spent time researching coffee brand recipes that are right for me, and I encourage you to do the same! Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions, and continue your reading here for some exciting news for paleo coffee drinkers!
If this topic is of interest to you, you may consider looking into these references that provide a more in-depth look at the health benefits of coffee.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326845
These references are great if you are interested in looking specifically at black coffee. You will be amazed at the impact that coffee consumption can have on your health!
https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-black-coffee
https://www.lifehack.org/326383/12-reasons-why-you-should-drink-black-coffee-everyday
I hope this page has been helpful. If you have any questions or suggestions just email me at Tina (at) Paleomazing.com.
Tina Turbin
