Harvard doctor says coffee can be a medicine, but these 3 mistakes cause more harm than good

When it comes to tea and coffee, these two beverages are not just drinks, but a lifestyle that many of us begin our day with. Even studies suggest that drinks like coffee seem generally safe within usual levels of intake, with summary estimates indicating the largest risk reduction for various health outcomes at three to four cups a day, and more likely to benefit health than harm. Also, coffee's bioactive compounds such as caffeine, chlorogenic acids, and polyphenols contribute to these protective effects through mechanisms like antioxidant, anti-inflammatory actions, and metabolic regulation. Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a gastroenterologist trained at AIIMS, Harvard, and Stanford universities, also states that coffee is absolutely wonderful for your brain, gut and liver. In a recent post on Instagram he mentioned that the polyphenols in coffee increase the good gut bacteria. Coffee also increases focus and memory, thereby reducing the chance of Alzheimer's disease. It also improves fatty liver as well. But most people are doing their coffee wrong, he adds. In the video he later explains three common mistakes people make with coffee and also shares how to rectify the mistakes. Take a look.

Adding sugar to coffee leads to spiking blood sugar and increases inflammation, which is not good. He suggests using monk fruit or stevia without an erythritol additive. According to a study, monk fruit juice can also improve immunity by enhancing immune factors and positively modulating gut microbiota composition, beneficial for overall health and immune function. And another study states monk fruit extract can reduce postprandial glucose and insulin responses. It has potential for sustainable metabolic health by supporting glycemic regulation without added calories.

As per Dr Saurabh, coffee is one of the most pesticides crops and you really don't want to consume the pesticides. He suggests buying organic coffee products and cross verify before buying the coffee.

As per Dr Saurabh, if you suffer from acid reflux, don't stop drinking coffee before considering switching to a darker roast. Yes, it may be surprising, but darker roast has less caffeine and therefore easier on the stomach, he affirms. Also, he states that if you don't have heartburn issues, choose light roast as that has the maximum amount of polyphenols. As per a PMC study, dark roasting may reduce some antioxidants like chlorogenic acids compared to light roast, although it destroys more pesticides and toxins. Dark roast coffee also more potently activates antioxidant pathways like Nrf2, which is crucial for cell protection. It contains essential nutrients like magnesium, potassium, niacin (vitamin B3), riboflavin, thiamine, and pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), supporting overall health.

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this article—is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.