Are you a heavy coffee drinker looking to start your day in a healthier way? While we all know that drinking coffee in moderation can benefit our health, did you know that adding milk to your daily cup of coffee can double its anti-inflammatory benefits?
Research has shown that adding milk to your morning coffee helps block some of the inflammatory processes associated with certain chronic diseases. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at how incorporating milk into your coffee routine can provide you with unique health benefits, as well as the steps you can take to ensure you get the most out of every sip!
Here is the latest study in detail.
Danish researchers recently discovered that antioxidants in coffee can bind to milk proteins, according to a study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. By binding to these proteins, it is believed that the antioxidant properties of coffee can be enhanced, providing additional health benefits. The study was conducted by scientists from the University of Copenhagen who analyzed three cell samples separated into three groups: one that received a combination of polyphenols and proteins, another only polyphenols, and a third without any both. Compared to the other two groups, the combination of polyphenols and proteins was twice as effective at fighting inflammation.
These results raised the question of whether adding a milk protein to a cup of coffee (rich in polyphenols) would increase the absorption of polyphenols by the body and could therefore improve its anti-inflammatory action. The researchers’ answer was a resounding yes. When combined with milk proteins, not only does the rate of absorption of these compounds increase, but also their effectiveness in reducing inflammation. This discovery furthers our understanding of how certain dietary components can help reduce chronic inflammation associated with various diseases. So, drinking coffee fortified with milk could be beneficial for those looking for ways to fight inflammation naturally.
This perfect combo is not just limited to coffee.
Polyphenols are phytochemicals that act as antioxidants in the human body, meaning they can offset free radical damage that can lead to inflammation. Vegetables like kale, spinach, beets, broccoli, and red onion are all particularly high in polyphenols. Fruits such as oranges, apples and blueberries are also high in this important antioxidant. By combining these vegetables and fruits with a protein source like milk or yogurt, you can create a balanced meal option that is both nutritious and protective of your health.
Combining polyphenol-rich foods with a protein source like milk or yogurt has been linked to reduced inflammation in many studies. This is because the antioxidants found in polyphenol-rich foods help fight oxidative damage caused by free radicals in the body — which often leads to inflammation — while proteins themselves have anti-inflammatory properties. Since proteins are made up of amino acids, when you eat them your body produces certain hormones called cytokines that help regulate the inflammatory response. Adding prebiotics from yogurt or probiotics from dairy products can also help support immune health by boosting microbial diversity in the gut microbiome, which further reduces systemic inflammation.
We can conclude that the polyphenols and proteins combo can also strengthen our immunity.
Indeed, polyphenols and proteins may provide additional nutritional benefits to boost immunity. For example, polyphenols are known for their anti-inflammatory effects which have been linked to improved immunity, while proteins are essential components for building and maintaining healthy cells which form the basis of our immune system. Additionally, research has suggested that polyphenol/protein combinations exert a synergistic effect in terms of boosting immunity due to their complementary mechanisms of action. Thus, consuming a combination of polyphenols and proteins may be more effective at boosting our immune system than the individual compounds alone.
