For most of us, starting a day with the fine aroma of coffee and its refreshing taste, will let us to energize for the whole day. When consumed in moderation, coffee is a healthy stimulant to keep one going. The problem arises only when one gets addicted to the caffeine content or when consuming coffee with added sugar and highest cream. While not a healthy choice, unsweetened black coffee is a better option when compared to the former. However, when doubts arises whether coffee is Paleo, or belong to cavemen diet, there is always a question of uncertainty.
What does Paleo diet say?
Paleo diet restricts the use of processed and packaged foods, dairy products, sugar, grains, and alcohol. In addition, the foods that constitute Paleo diet are unprocessed meat, fish and poultry, green leafy vegetables, other fruits and vegetables, nuts and oilseeds, etc, . In this context, Paleo diet does not say about the use of coffee bean, as one does not specify them under this category.
Coffee in a Paleo Diet
While following a Paleo diet, one will experience an overall change in lifestyle, which includes stress free life, good sleep, better energy levels with moderate physical activity, and obviously a healthy diet plan. This clearly states that one might not need caffeine at all. Even if tempted, coffee lovers can opt for either decaffeinated coffee, or an espresso, as Paleo diet restricts consumption of dairy products and added sugar. One can even try consuming cold brewed coffee that is much less acidic compared to the normally brewed coffee. Consuming coffee sporadically than making it a regular habit is often a better healthy choice.
Reasons to Include Coffee in a Paleo diet
Here are few reasons that would make all the coffee consumers go mad happily. Coffee beans have healthy antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that help in the well-being of an individual. It prevents constipation, liver cirrhosis, gallstones, and cardio vascular diseases. It is even considered to reduce the risk of Parkinson and Alzheimer’s diseases. Due to all the above said beneficial factors and considering the fact that Paleo diet does not avoid coffee, this will be great news for all the coffee lovers, who are trying to adapt Paleo diet.
Reasons to Reduce Coffee Consumption
Just like, there are reasons to include coffee in our daily diet or while following Paleo diet, there are also certain cons to consider. Drinking coffee starts an addiction to it, and as a result, overconsumption will lead to various complications. Here is a list of what coffee addiction can do. The caffeine in coffee causes addiction leading to gut irritation, increased stress levels, reduced sleep, etc. Apart from these it also increases cortisol levels increasing weight gain, disrupts absorption of vitamins and minerals, increases blood pressure and heartburn. Moreover, daily consumption can cause stain in the teeth.
Therefore, the good news is that, technically speaking Paleo diet does not restrict the use of coffee beans, but coffee when consumed with added milk or cream and sugar.