By Lisa Freeman
“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” -Hippocrates
By now many people are aware of the importance of trying to maintain an alkaline diet. Having an alkaline-high diet helps combat cancer and inflammation. As someone who’ s been studying nutrition for over 30 years, I have experimented with ways to enjoy life while also maintaining a healthy lifestyle and a healthy body. One of my guilty pleasures is coffee. It helps this mom of three get through the day and two hours of training daily.
At its core, regular coffee is mildly acidic. Our bodies have a neutral PH level of around 7.4, while coffee typically has a PH of 4.3 to 5. The variations in acidity depend on several factors: how the coffee is roasted, the bean used, the brewing method, the ground size, and so forth.
The level of coffee’s acidity isn’t inherently dangerous. Despite that, there’s still a small chance that it will aggravate certain health conditions if not consumed in moderation. This includes irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, and gastric ulcers.
If you’ re prone to digestive issues or simply on an alkaline diet, you’ll be glad to know that you don’t have to forgo coffee entirely. Here are a few methods to neutralize the acid in your brew, so it’ll be easier on your belly!
Cold Brew
The acidity inside a coffee bean is released at around 140°F, which is why coffee brewed at around 200°F, the «normal» coffee brewing temperature, is so acidic.
This is where cold brew coffee comes into play. The oils containing the acids inside the coffee beans are never properly released when you use cold or room-temperature water. Therefore, this makes it 70 percent less acidic than regular hot coffee. It also tastes much smoother and less bitter.
Egg Shells
Eggshells are alkaline, meaning that when you mix them with your brew, they’ll neutralize some of the acidity without affecting the flavor too much.
Thoroughly rinse out the shells with hot water and set them aside to dry. If you’ re making a small pot of four servings or less, one egg is enough. Once you’ve prepared your coffee machine, crush the eggshells in your hand and add them to the grounds. Finally, brew the coffee as you normally would. Easy peasy!
Add Baking Soda
Like eggshells, adding a bit of baking soda to your brew will neutralize some of its acidity. Due to its alkaline properties, baking soda works hard to counteract acid reflux and stomachache.
Simply add about a quarter teaspoon to your pot and let it do its magic. Your brew’s flavor won’t be affected, as baking soda doesn’t really have a noticeable taste. It’ll remove some of your coffee’s bitterness, but that’s it.
Conclusion
Now you have some options to help you have a healthier cup of Joe. If you try any of these methods, pay attention to how you feel after drinking your coffee. Your digestive system may work differently.
Lisa Freeman
Nutrition specialist at La Clínica SMA
www.theclinicsma.com
