You try so hard to eat a healthy, balanced diet and exercise every day, but you simply can't start the day without a cup of coffee or three. You may have felt vaguely guilty about it over the years, so when research surfaced about the health benefits of coffee, it was the best thing to happen to breakfast since eggs were once again deemed healthy. But now comes pod coffee -- and although it seems convenient, you may wonder if it's just as good. The answer is yes -- mostly.
Benefits of Coffee
Regular coffee intake has not only shown to be less harmful than previously thought, positive benefits are connected to it as well. It was long thought that drinking coffee could raise your blood pressure over time, but research has not borne that out. Research has shown, however, that heavy coffee drinkers are 50 percent less likely to develop diabetes and liver cancer than people who don't drink coffee, and coffee consumption may also protect against colon, rectal and breast cancers.
Coffee Pods
Coffee pods are simply pre-packaged coffee grounds that eliminate the need to grind and measure beans, then clean out the filter after brewing. Hundreds of varieties of pods are available, and most of them are just as good for you as fresh coffee. The key is to choose the pods that contain only coffee beans, without additives. These are the regular coffees, labeled by roast. If in doubt, read the ingredients list to make sure coffee is the only ingredient. The only concern pod coffee has over regular coffee is that paper filters catch compounds called kahweol and cafestol, which may elevate cholesterol levels over time. Paper pods work the same way as a paper filter, but the cup-style pods are not filtered and may release these compounds into your coffee.
Additives
When you choose your coffee pods, avoid those that are labeled as "instant" cappuccino, latte or other blended drinks. These varieties are higher in calories and fat than regular coffee, and can contribute to obesity and obesity-related disease. Of course, the same holds true for regular cappuccino and lattes -- any time you add sugar and milk to coffee, you effectively negate some of the benefits. If you don't enjoy black coffee, at least use a very small amount of sugar and skim milk.
Choosing
Pods are popular because they are quick and convenient, and involve less cleaning. If you choose a pod coffee, choose the paper pods over plastic cups for the superior filtering effect. Whichever kind of coffee you choose, moderation is key. More than four cups per day can increase your risk of caffeine dependence, and can cause side effects like anxiety, restlessness and insomnia. Drink decaf if you are sensitive to caffeine, but note that it has been linked to a greater rise in cholesterol, even with the paper filter, according to Harvard Medical School.
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