Coffee can be very personal; everyone has their preferences. However, while certain ingredients may be pleasing to your taste buds, it’s important to remember that many of them can also be detrimental to your health. On one hand, black coffee offers up a range of benefits (including potential fat burn!). But adding harmful ingredients to the mix could take a toll on your body. In fact, there’s one coffee ingredient in particular the experts warn against because it could clog your arteries and increase your risk of heart disease: Heavy cream.
To learn more about why you should avoid heavy cream in order to keep your body healthy, we spoke to dietitian Trista Best. She broke down the health effects of this tasty but unhealthy ingredient. Find it all below.
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How heavy whipping cream can damage heart health
If you don't love the bitter taste of black coffee and prefer to add something creamy to the mix, you may frequently reach for heavy cream when brewing your morning cup of joe. Unfortunately, Best says, "Heavy whipping cream, when used excessively as a coffee ingredient, may contribute to artery-clogging due to its high saturated fat content."
So, what's the big deal about saturated fats? Best explains that these unhealthy fats "can raise LDL cholesterol levels, increasing the risk of heart disease and atherosclerosis."
"While small amounts of heavy cream can add richness and flavor to coffee, excessive consumption may lead to weight gain and other health issues," Best says. "Heavy whipping cream is calorie-dense, and combined with other high-calorie additives like sweeteners or flavored syrups, it can significantly increase the overall calorie intake."
She warns that "Over time, this excessive caloric intake, coupled with the unhealthy fats, can contribute to an unhealthy lipid profile and negatively impact cardiovascular health."
Does that mean you have to cut out heavy cream altogether? While it's certainly the best option to go with plain old black coffee (or even add some anti-inflammatory spices to the mix), there's also something to be said for moderation. "As with any food or ingredient, moderation is key to enjoying coffee without compromising heart health," Best concludes.
Ultimately, it's important to limit your intake of this ingredient as much as possible and use it sparingly.
READ MORE: What’s The Best Way To Drink Coffee For Weight Loss? We Asked A Doctor
