Introduction
As we age, our dietary habits can have a significant impact on how quickly we age. Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world, but it can also have a negative effect on our health and our appearance. According to dietitian and nutritionist, Dr. Lisa Young, certain coffee habits can age us faster than we’d like. In this article, we’ll explore the coffee habits that are aging us faster and what we can do to avoid them. We’ll also look at some healthier alternatives to coffee that can help us stay young and healthy.
Coffee Habits That Are Aging You Faster, Says Dietitian — Eat This Not That
If you’re a coffee lover, you may be wondering if your daily cup of joe is aging you faster. According to dietitian and nutritionist, Dr. Lisa Young, the answer is yes. Here are some of the coffee habits that could be aging you faster, and what you should be doing instead.
Drinking Too Much Coffee
Drinking too much coffee can lead to dehydration, which can cause wrinkles and dry skin. It can also lead to increased stress levels, which can cause premature aging. To avoid this, try to limit your coffee intake to no more than two cups a day.
Adding Too Much Sugar
Adding too much sugar to your coffee can cause an increase in blood sugar levels, which can lead to wrinkles and other signs of aging. To avoid this, try to limit the amount of sugar you add to your coffee. If you need a sweetener, opt for a natural one like honey or agave nectar.
Drinking Coffee on an Empty Stomach
Drinking coffee on an empty stomach can cause an increase in cortisol levels, which can lead to premature aging. To avoid this, try to have a light snack before drinking your coffee. This will help to stabilize your blood sugar levels and keep your cortisol levels in check.
Drinking Coffee Late at Night
Drinking coffee late at night can disrupt your sleep cycle, which can lead to premature aging. To avoid this, try to limit your coffee intake to the morning and afternoon. If you need a late-night pick-me-up, opt for a cup of herbal tea instead.
Conclusion
Coffee can be a great way to start your day, but it’s important to be mindful of your coffee habits. Too much coffee, too much sugar, drinking coffee on an empty stomach, and drinking coffee late at night can all lead to premature aging. To avoid this, try to limit your coffee intake, opt for natural sweeteners, and avoid drinking coffee late at night.
If you need a cup of coffee to get your day started, you’re not alone—in fact, you’re in the majority. According to a study by the National Coffee Association, 62% of Americans drink some form of coffee every day. And while that coffee isn’t necessarily unhealthy, but there are a few bad habits that can contribute to aging you faster if you drink coffee in certain ways.
We consulted Lisa Moskovitz, RD, CEO of NY Nutrition Group, author of The Core 3 Healthy Eating Plan, and member of our medical expert board to find out exactly what to avoid next time you go to grab a cup of coffee. Then, for more healthy tips, be sure to check out our list of the 6 Coffee Habits That Help With Weight Loss, Dietitians Say.
Many say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so of course, replacing it with coffee can’t be good for your overall health.
According to Moskovitz, “skipping this prime meal time can lead to a less nutritious diet”, specifically one that goes against healthy aging.
Instead of skipping breakfast and going straight to coffee, Moskovitz suggests “a breakfast consisting of fresh fruit, whole grains, and nuts or seeds” for a breakfast packed with fiber and antioxidants.
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If you’re not about drinking your coffee black and would rather add in creamers and sweeteners, fair warning: it could affect your health, depending on how much you add.
“Moderate amounts of sugar in your diet is okay, but going overboard with sugar packets every time you need a pick-me-up may stack up overtime,” says Moskovitz.
Specifically, as you age, you could be looking at a major increase in blood sugar, inflammation, and many other health conditions.
Remembering to drink water is a habit that many often forget, but when you’re drinking lots of coffee, it can be a recipe for dehydration and disaster when it comes to your overall health.
According to Moskovitz, forgetting to chase your caffeine with water, “can lead to dehydration that can negatively impact your skin, digestion, energy levels, nutrient absorption, and even joints.”
When it comes to choosing when to drink your coffee—do your best to stick to the morning. Even if caffeine doesn’t keep you awake late at night, that doesn’t mean you should be drinking a cup right before bed.
According to Moskovitz, “caffeine is a stimulant that when consumed too close to bedtime, will disrupt adequate rest. Poor sleep can wreak havoc on recovery, immune system, mood, energy, metabolism, and everything in between.”
Here’s the deal with artificial sweeteners—even if it may seem like it’s a good idea to swap them into your coffee rather than sticking with the real stuff, they actually have a serious impact on your long-term health.
According to Moskovitz, “not only are [these sweeteners] nutritionally void, but non-nutritive sweeteners such as sucralose and aspartame can harm insulin levels, gut health, which influences all vital pathways in the body, and lead you to crave more sweets in general throughout the day.”
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