Sweeten Your Coffee???

Dangers of Coffee Creamers

I was at an event recently where someone asked me about coffee creamers. She said a friend was just diagnosed with plaque in his arteries. He ate quite healthy but did use a coffee creamer. Could that be it? I speculated that it could, but I wanted to know more.

First off, the word “cream” should not even be in non-dairy creamer because there is no cream. But there is a lot of unhealthy stuff. Are you ready for this?

Water

Corn syrup solids

Corn syrup is a type of sugar (mostly dextrose) that is made from cornstarch. This is one of the worst sweeteners you can choose because a large percentage of the corn crop in the US is GMO. Also, this is sugar—plain and simple.

Partially hydrogenated soybean and/or cottonseed oil

All partially hydrogenated oils contain trans fats, which are brutal to your body. Hydrogen is added to liquid oil, turning it into solid fat. “A study on mice suggests that high levels of trans-fats cause atherosclerosis by reducing the responsiveness of a key protein, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta, that controls growth and differentiation in cells. The findings of the study reinforce research that has linked the predominantly man-made fat with a range of health problems.” These man-made fats have contributed elevated cholesterol and to plaque in the arteries. They improve the texture, adding the thickness people enjoy in a coffee creamer, but the health risks are not worth it. COFFEE-MATE is legally allowed to say it is “trans fat free” because the serving size is so small. But don’t be fooled: COFFEE-MATE contains trans fats!

Sodium caseinate is made up of soluble salts of casein, which is the primary protein in milk. It is a major component of cheese. This means the product is not actually a non-diary creamer as it is advertised.

Mono- and digycerides are emulsifying agents used to extend shelf life. They are often found in foods that contain trans fats. They may be synthetically produced or derived from animal or vegetable sources, including partially hydrogenated oils. Some health experts are calling them “the next trans fats.

Dipotassium phosphate is also known as phosphoric acid. It’s also used in fertilizers and cosmetics, and is believed to cause vomiting and diarrhea if consumed “in quantities.”

Carrageenan is an extract from red seaweeds that is a type of vegan gelatin that has been in use for hundreds of years.

My analysis: Non-dairy coffee creamers could definitely cause plaque build up in the arteries. It’s time to ditch this stuff in short order.

My first recommendation is to ditch the coffee. It’s very acidic and tends to lead to problems However, if you say there’s no way you’re giving up the black stuff, and you can’t stand coffee black, you can use real cream. If you can’t use real cream because you are either lactose or casein intolerant, then make your own healthy non-dairy creamer.

Juices that help clear plaque from attires

Fresh orange juice

According to Dr. Phillip Chua at the Cebu Doctors’ Hospital’s Cardiovascular Center, daily consumption of orange juice appears to help increase “good,” or HDL, cholesterol. Because HDL cholesterol helps sweep plaque out of your arteries, the higher your HDL level is, the better off you are.

Fresh grape juice

In a study reported in the American Heart Association journal “Circulation,” purple grape juice was found to help participants’ blood vessels dilate more fully, helping to prevent “bad” cholesterol from attaching to artery walls. As with orange juice, more research is needed, but these results indicate that the regular use of grape juice in your daily diet might be beneficial to your arterial plaque level.

Pomegranate juice

Pomegranate juice appears to help prevent plaque buildup in the arteries.

DIY Dairy Free Coffee Creamer

• 1 can full fat coconut milk
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Stevia to taste (I like Sweet Leaf Vanilla Creme)

Mix the ingredients together until well combined and store covered in the refrigerator. It’s thick and delicious.