I love coffee… As I sit here writing this, I am drinking some tasty coffee. And, I know many of you love your coffee, too. I get a lot of questions about whether or not coffee is healthy. And, how are coffee and the thyroid related? I will answer these questions today!
Is Coffee Healthy?
First, it depends what you put in your coffee. If you add cream and sugar, then I would say, no, your coffee is not healthy. However, there are many alternative options of what you can put in your coffee to keep it healthier (more on that later).
If you drink black coffee, most likely you are reaping some health benefits. Studies are a little mixed on whether or not coffee is healthy and how much. But, if we take the average research and try to make an average conclusion, most studies seem to point in the direction of no more than 4, 8 oz cups (maximum 300-400 mg caffeine/day) of coffee may provide modest health benefits.
*Be aware that some brews of coffee like Starbuck’s or other coffee shops may contain 200-400 mg caffeine per 12 oz small cup!
Coffee and Cholesterol
I make sure to drink coffee that is filtered (as most people do) which prevents coffee from having a cholesterol-raising effect.
It is also good to note that those with high blood pressure should limit or avoid caffeine and coffee (please speak with your doctor about your caffeine consumption). While we are discussing those who should not drink so much coffee: those with hyperthyroidisim should be mindful of their coffee and caffeine consumption. The caffeine may simply be too much for the body to handle in a “hyper” state.*
*Again, please speak with your doctor or personal Registered Dietitian about any changes or questions regarding your diet.
Coffee and Hypothyroidism
Many of us with hypothyroidism suffer from constant bouts of fatigue. Coffee can provide a nice little pick-me-up that many of us enjoy. Here is the special case where we want to be cautious of what we put in the coffee. Many of us are working to limit or avoid dairy, so if you add a creaminess to your coffee, you may want something dairy-free.
One thing I would caution is to be careful not to consume more than the 4 small cups (6-8 oz) of coffee per day as this will not support thyroid and adrenal health. It will likely just cause more stress on the body. The typical recommendation for those under a lot of stress is to cut out caffeine and coffee consumption to better support the body’s stress response.
Non-Dairy Cream Options
Look for unsweetened cream options and also look for non-dairy creamers that do not contain so many thickeners and artificial ingredients. We are beginning to discover that the thickening additives are not optimal for digestive health. In autoimmune conditions, we are working to improve digestive health, therefore, trying to eliminate thickening additives like ingredients labeled as “gums”.
Another ingredient to avoid is carrageenan. This is another thickener that may cause digestive distress in sensitive individuals (I recommend to especially avoid if you suffer from Crohn’s or Colitis).
I like this Laird creamer that mainly contains coconut as the base and minimal other ingredients. They have other flavors. For the superfood enthusiast, Laird makes a turmeric creamer (!!!) which is pretty exciting.
You could also just get a little plain creamed coconut and whisk into the coffee. It will not blend as well, but it is a more pure option. This one will taste the most like coconut as well.
Healthier Coffee Sweeteners
By now, we know that sugar can be inflammatory when consumed in excess. For those with autoimmune conditions and hypothyroidism, we are working to reduce inflammation and therefore, reduce sugar consumption. For coffee, I like to use 
stevia or a little monk fruit as a source of something sweet. For stevia in coffee, most people tell me the liquid stevia drops taste the best. I love the Sweet Drops since they have many fun flavors. And, you only need 2-4 drops I would say to give it flavor!! A little date sugar can also be ok since it is real fruit that has been puverized to make a powder.
How do you like your coffee? Any other healthier coffee tips?
Hashimoto’s and Hypothyroidism are 2 different conditions. Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disease. Hypothyroidism is a clinical state based on laboratory reference ranges. It is possible to have Hashimoto’s (confirmed with abnormal antibodies) for up to 10 years while still having normal TSH, T4, T3 levels.