How to make truly healthy coffee

April 23, 2014  17:28

Coffee is the number one source of antioxidants in the U.S. diet, according to a study from the University of Scranton. Plus, a growing number of research suggests that drinking a few cups a day can reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and even prostate cancer, Fox News reports.

While any coffee will provide some payoff, you need to pick the right roast, storage strategy, and brew method if you want joe with mojo. Here’s your step-by-step guide to making your coffee its healthiest.

1. THE ROAST

In the universe of coffee beans, lighter roasts are the dark horses. "The antioxidant effects of coffee are related to compounds called chlorogenic acids," says Dr. Peter Martin, director of the Vanderbilt University Institute for Coffee Studies.

"Roasting green coffee beans transforms these acids into better antioxidants—but if you keep on roasting them, they break down again." So buy light-brown beans.  

2. THE STORAGE

Roasted coffee beans have free radicals, which become more numerous the longer the beans are exposed to air, according to a study in Food Chemistry. That's a problem because, as free radical levels rise, some antioxidants in the beans are spent fighting to stabilize them.

Store your beans in an airtight container and don't grind them until you're ready to brew.  

3. THE BREWING

Researchers in Italy examined five different brewing methods and found that coffee percolated in a stovetop Moka pot, an espresso pot, or a Neapolitan-style pot produced coffee with more than double the antioxidant levels of java brewed through a paper filter.

4. THE CUP

How do you take your coffee? Here's your new answer: "Black, without sugar," says Martin. "Coffee in itself is extremely nutritious—anything you add is diminishing it."

A better way to handle bitter: Add some ground cinnamon to taste.

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