Regular or Decaffeinated Coffee: Which is Better for You?

The debate rolls on about whether the caffeine in coffee is bad for you. Some studies suggest that drinking some coffee can actually reduce the chance of getting Alzheimer's disease. Other benefits to drinking coffee is the antioxidants you get from smelling brewing coffee. Another study suggests that women who drink coffee are actually smarter than if they didn't drink coffee.

And as for decaffeinated coffee, there is some controversy. Some studies suggest that there is more fat in the decaffeinated coffee to improve flavor after the decaffeination process and can actually be worse for your heart. I know after I quit drinking so much decaffeinated coffee, my tests came back better for cholesterol and blood pressure. So maybe there is some truth to that.

So most doctors will tell you a cup or two of coffee a day won't hurt you. But when you drink coffee to the extent that you have six cups a day or a whole pot of coffee, it isn't good for you. It can dehydrate your skin and your brain. Some mental illnesses are made worse by caffeine, so make sure you do things in moderation.

I know I can't function in the morning without a cup or two of coffee. But that doesn't mean more is better. I feel normal with two cups. But I don't want to go back to drinking a pot throughout the day. I feel much better getting a glass of milk than drinking a pot of coffee. It has more nutrition than a cup of sugary coffee.
Another tip is to use a dash of salt in your coffee to get rid of the bitterness without sugar or artificial sweeteners. It reduces the chances of you drinking coffee all day without the sugar and is better for you than using Sweet and Low or Equal.

I enjoy a cup of coffee just like most Americans. But all I drink really is regular plain old coffee with a little milk and a dash of salt. I don't drink espresso or cappuccino or lattes because they don't filter it the same way. And I really don't want to spend the money on a habit like coffee. So you won't see me at Starbucks on my laptop getting buzzed on caffeine. I'd rather go to Panera's anyway and get real food.

Coffee is simply a means for me to get going in the morning. It's not my identity. It's not my passion. I know a lot of people who swear by Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts. But for me, Chock Full o' Nuts is fine.