{"id":783994,"date":"2026-09-27T06:18:33","date_gmt":"2026-09-27T06:18:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/783994\/"},"modified":"2026-09-27T06:18:33","modified_gmt":"2026-09-27T06:18:33","slug":"the-healthiest-way-to-drink-coffee-according-to-a-nutritionist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/783994\/","title":{"rendered":"The healthiest way to drink coffee, according to a nutritionist"},"content":{"rendered":"

Coffee and the wellness world have a complicated reputation. You may have heard that it can spike cortisol, disrupt sleep, irritate your stomach, or totally dehydrate you\u2014but that it\u2019s also packed with antioxidants and may offer some real health benefits. So, which is it? According to nutritionist and naturopath Laure Hyvernat, PhD, the answer has less to do with coffee itself and more to do with how\u2014and even when\u2014we drink it.<\/p>\n

\u201cCoffee can be a powerful ally for your metabolism when it\u2019s chosen wisely, consumed in the right amount, and drunk at the right time of day,\u201d says Hyvernat. \u201cBut when consumed mindlessly to compensate for a lack of energy, it becomes a sign of deeper imbalances.\u201d<\/p>\n

Related: Viral coconut water coffee sounded ridiculous until I tried it<\/a><\/p>\n

So what does drinking coffee \u201cwisely\u201d actually look like? From the healthiest order at a coffee shop to the best time of day to drink it, Hyvernat shares her practical guide to making your daily coffee as healthy as possible.<\/p>\n

The healthiest coffee you can order<\/p>\n

Buckle up: If you like your morning joe sweet and creamy, this news is going to be sad. \u201cThe classic strong black coffee\u2014such as an espresso or ristretto\u2014without sugar or milk is the best option, as it\u2019s rich in polyphenols,\u201d says Hyvernat. \u201cThe caffeine content is similar to that of a long coffee, but its smaller volume limits digestive exposure. This is the preferred choice for those with sensitive stomachs and intestines.\u201d<\/p>\n

As for lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos? Hyvernat says they aren\u2019t necessarily \u201cbad,\u201d but it truly depends on the type of milk, how frequently you drink them, and your individual metabolic and hormonal profile. \u201cI strongly advise against them for my patients suffering from insulin resistance, hormonal imbalances such as PCOS, estrogen dominance (endometriosis, hormone-dependent cancer), or hormonal acne.\u201d<\/p>\n

Related: A caffeine free drink with a flavor closest to coffee, rich in prebiotics<\/a><\/p>\n

Skip these coffee orders<\/p>\n

As for the unhealthiest coffee? This news may also come as a surprise. According to Hyvernat, instant coffee and decaf are the least healthy.<\/p>\n

\u201cInstant coffee is heavily roasted and therefore higher in acrylamide and lower in protective polyphenols. We lose all the benefits of coffee and are left with only its stimulating and addictive drawbacks.\u201d<\/p>\n

When it comes to decaf, however, the method matters. \u201cIf it\u2019s decaffeinated using water\u2014the Swiss Water process\u2014that can be an option, but most of the time, manufacturers use chemical methods for decaffeination that leave behind residues.\u201d<\/p>\n

Related: Nespresso On-The-Go gives coffee on the move a whole new meaning<\/a><\/p>\n

And then there are what Hyvernat calls \u201cdisguised\u201d coffees: drinks loaded with syrup, sugar, and seasonal flavorings. Think: pumpkin spice lattes and caramel macchiatos. \u201cThese sugar bombs will send your blood sugar skyrocketing and will inevitably leave you exhausted by late morning,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

The healthiest milk to put in coffee<\/p>\n

Coffee with cream may be classic, but \u201cI strongly advise against the caffeine-lactose combo,\u201d says Hyvernat. \u201cThese are two large molecules metabolized by the liver that will drain your body\u2019s energy.\u201d<\/p>\n

That said, she isn\u2019t suggesting you abandon your beloved milky drink for good. \u201cIf your little caf\u00e9 au lait is your guilty pleasure and you don\u2019t have lactose intolerance and\/or a hormonal disorder, then opt for high-quality whole milk\u2014organic and non-UHT [ultra-high temperature pasturized], if possible\u2014rather than low-fat milk.\u201d<\/p>\n

And don\u2019t assume that plant-based automatically means healthier. \u201cSome are loaded with added sugar,\u201d she says. With that in mind, Hyvernat prefers unsweetened nut-based options such as almond, hazelnut, or coconut milk over grain-based alternatives like oat milk, which tend to contain more carbohydrates.<\/p>\n

The healthiest sweetener to put in coffee<\/p>\n

Starting your day sweetly may be tempting, but \u201cthe problem with sugar in coffee is twofold: a blood sugar spike and an increase in cortisol,\u201d says Hyvernat. \u201cNot sweetening your coffee will always be the best option\u2014even if you\u2019re using a natural sweetener like stevia or honey.\u201d<\/p>\n

She says she often notices that patients who regularly combine coffee and sugar experience more cravings around 11 a.m.<\/p>\n

But if you simply can\u2019t imagine drinking coffee without a little sweetness, Hyvernat recommends drinking it after a protein-rich meal or pairing it with a source of fiber\u2014for example, a teaspoon of psyllium added to a smoothie\u2014to help moderate the blood sugar response.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the best time to drink coffee?<\/p>\n

According to Hyvernat, the time you drink your coffee matters almost as much as what\u2019s in your cup. \u201cNever drink it on an empty stomach. You want to avoid irritating your digestive tract, increasing stomach acid, and causing a spike in cortisol\u2014which is already naturally high upon waking. Your anxiety levels will thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

She also recommends leaving some distance between coffee and meals because of caffeine\u2019s potential effect on nutrient absorption. \u201cIdeally, wait at least two hours after a meal before having coffee to limit caffeine\u2019s impact on the absorption of essential nutrients such as iron and vitamin C. In fact, caffeine reduces the absorption of non-heme iron by up to 40%.\u201d<\/p>\n

She says this consideration is particularly important for menstruating women, athletes, and vegetarians. Caffeine can also interact with certain medications, including L-thyroxine, some anti-anxiety medications, and heart medications, making individual medical advice important.<\/p>\n

Her ideal coffee break? \u201cAround 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.\u201d<\/p>\n

Does the type of cup matter?<\/p>\n

Apparently, even the vessel\u00a0you drink your coffee from deserves some thought. \u201cAvoid plastic containers, which are known endocrine disruptors and have a lifespan of only a few minutes before ending up in the trash,\u201d says Hyvernat.<\/p>\n

Her alternative is also decidedly more civilized: \u201cWhy not take a few minutes to sit down and read your favorite magazine or mentally prepare for your day?\u201d<\/p>\n

And on those mornings when lingering over an espresso simply isn\u2019t happening? \u201cA quick coffee on the go can be enjoyed from a cute stainless-steel cup that you can keep in your purse,\u201d she advises.<\/p>\n

Should you drink coffee every day?<\/p>\n

The promise of coffee inspires many of us to get out of bed in the morning. Yet, \u201cdespite its antioxidant benefits, coffee is still a stimulant,\u201d Hyvernat says. Thus, she believes one of the most important things to pay attention to is not simply how much coffee you drink, but why you\u2019re reaching for it in the first place.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe often drink coffee to boost our energy, even though caffeine actually drains the body. It\u2019s easy to become dependent on our daily dose of caffeine,\u201d she notes. Some signs you\u2019re dependent? Needing coffee immediately upon waking and experiencing afternoon fatigue, irritability, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, sleep disturbances, and sugar cravings. If you experience any of those, it might be time to take a closer look at your caffeine consumption.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen coffee becomes essential for functioning, it\u2019s no longer a source of energy\u2014it\u2019s masking an imbalance,\u201d Hyvernat says.<\/p>\n

So what\u2019s the ideal amount of coffee then? Hyvernat\u2019s recommendation is decidedly minimalist: \u201cI recommend no more than one cup of coffee a day\u2014or even just one a week.\u201d<\/p>\n

Vogue.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Coffee and the wellness world have a complicated reputation. You may have heard that it can spike cortisol,…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":783995,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[45],"tags":[102,6636,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-783994","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nutrition","tag-health","tag-nutrition","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/783994","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=783994"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/783994\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/783995"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=783994"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=783994"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=783994"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}