The Benefits of Coffee

In her last edition of this series, Gail Mihalik shared the nuances of this delicious bean (or was it a berry?). Now she introduces some of coffee’s health benefits as well as delicious recipes.

Could you imagine a day without that first cup of coffee in the morning?

Are we all conditioned to having this ritual to start our day? How many of us have that first cup nestled in our hand while driving to work? Something is soothing about that aroma, the steam rising from the mug. It creates a sense of peace. The beverage, with its rich aroma and rising steam, not only triggers the release of dopamine in our brains, giving us that happy feeling but also significantly boosts our mood and energy. But is it good for you?

Believe it or not, your morning coffee might be doing more for you than just waking you up. Recent studies have uncovered many benefits, from the abundance of active substances such as vitamin B2, B3, magnesium, potassium along with multiple antioxidants that can reduce inflammation and protect against disease. Coffee has positive results that help with the fight against conditions more prevalent in women, such as Alzheimer’s disease and heart disease, potentially leading to longer life spans.

Studies have found people who drink more coffee process sugar or glucose better and are less likely to develop type 2 diabetes.

A couple of studies done at Harvard have found different benefits for men and women. Women who drank at least two cups of coffee daily decreased their risk of heart failure, stroke, and cardiovascular disease. Another study focusing on men found that the increased consumption of caffeine helped reduce the uncontrollable movements caused by Parkinson’s disease. Those who drank more coffee were also less likely to develop Parkinson’s.

I've presented many health benefits of your morning cup of joe; it's important to remember that moderation is crucial. Overdoing caffeine can lead to negative side effects, such as increased cholesterol levels, restlessness, nausea, and even headaches. Therefore, let your body be the judge and consume your coffee responsibly.

Every good meal should be completed with a sweet treat, and every good food article needs that cherry on top. So allow me to share a few recipes of ways to use coffee in sweet and savory ways!

Cafe Liegeois

Servings 4

Ingredients:

1⁄2 cup whipping cream

2 tbsp powdered sugar

1⁄4 tsp vanilla extract

8 scoops of vanilla and or coffee ice cream ( combining both is fun!)

1⁄2 cup espresso coffee.

INSTRUCTIONS

1.             Whip the cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract

2.             Scoop the ice cream into four glasses, pour an even amount of espresso over the top, and finish with whipped cream. Dust with cocoa powder if you like.

Coffee Mousse

Servings 4

Ingredients:

1 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup milk

1⁄4 cup espresso or strong coffee

1⁄4 cup confectioners sugar

4 oz. dark chocolate

INSTRUCTIONS

1.             Whip cream until stiff peaks form.

2.             Combine milk, confectioners sugar, coffee.

3.             Melt chocolate and let it cool.

4.             Add chocolate to the milk mixture.

5.             Once cool enough, gently fold whipped cream into the chocolate mixture. Spoon into serving cups and chill until set.

Coffee Rub for BBQ Enthusiasts

Ingredients:

1⁄3 cup ground coffee (not instant coffee) If you need to buy grounds just for
     this recipe, You can freeze in a seal-tight container for up to 2 years.

1⁄3 cup brown sugar

1 tbsp salt

1 tbsp black pepper

1 tbsp granulated or ground garlic

1 tbsp fennel seeds

1⁄2 tbsp dried rosemary

Add 1 tbsp of cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix if you want to kick it up!

 
INSTRUCTIONS

1.             Mix all ingredients and store them in an airtight container for up to six months. The mix will not turn, but as with all dried spices, it will lose its flavor over time.

2.             Rule of thumb for this recipe: Use 1 tablespoon of mix per pound of meat.