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If the first thing you think about each morning is a big cup of coffee then you certainly aren’t alone. For many, coffee is the best part of starting the day, fueling you with energy to make it through the work hours while also being a delicious and often sweet treat to get things going. Coffee can actually have a variety of benefits for your health when consumed black; it can improve your metabolism and even help with weight loss and minimize risk of diabetes over time.
However, when you overload your coffee with calorie or sweetener dense creamers, your cup of joe loses its health benefits and can even slow down your metabolism, making it more difficult to maintain the calorie deficit needed for healthy weight loss or maintenance. Not all creamers are created equal, so there’s no need to resign yourself to a future of black coffee if that doesn’t appeal to you, but it is important to note that health experts agree there’s one type of creamer you should steer clear of if you want to capitalize on your health and your morning cup.
You may love your creamer for the rich and decadent texture it adds to your coffee, but this likely means that you’re packing your mug with carrageenan, a thickening agent derived from red seaweed which has been shown to invoke digestional issues. Rather than using actual dairy in coffee creamers, many products rely on this plant-based alternative to create the velvety texture we know and love, but this could be putting our bodies at risk. The Cornucopia Institute did a study on the inclusion of carrageenan in commonly consumed products, finding that research has linked this ingredient to a variety of gastrointestinal issues and even colon cancer.
Although the FDA reports that carrageenan is generally safe for consumption, controversy has swirled around this dairy-free ingredient with some research showing intestinal damage and even weakening of the immune system after regularly drinking carrageenan. Greatist reports, “However, most of these effects were found from a specific type of carrageenan used in research studies called poligeenan. It’s a possible human carcinogen, which means there’s some evidence it may cause cancer. And it’s not an FDA-approved food additive, so you won’t find it in food.”
While more research needs to be done to solidly determine the effects of carrageenan on the body, when in doubt, it’s best to leave it out of your diet. Instead, consider using skim or oat milk to add a creamy consistency to your coffee without relying on unnatural sweeteners or emulsifiers to thicken up your morning beverage.
Both of these options veer away from the heavy use of preservatives that many creamers use, and milk can provide an added dash of protein and calcium to help support your overall health while cutting through the harsh taste of black coffee. Some oat milks can still contain unnatural additives, so make sure to check the ingredients list before purchasing to choose the healthiest option. Our pick? Oatly Original Oatmilk for a creamy flavor without wreaking havoc on your gut.
You should be able to enjoy your morning cup of coffee without fear of impacting your metabolism, digestive health, or being forced to drink it black. Although black coffee does tout the most benefits to your overall health, you can still improve your wellbeing with your morning cup, provided you make an educated choice when opting for a creamer to accompany it.
Instead of choosing one which contains carrageenan and may offer a certain consistency, it’s best to go for a more natural option such as skim or oat milk to cut through the flavor of your coffee without irritating your stomach. Improving your health is all about making small, actionable changes to your diet which you can maintain over time, and giving the ingredients list of your coffee creamer a second glance is a great place to start.
