A question I get all the time from my clients: “Can I still drink my coffee?”
The answer is: It depends.
Coffee and Ayurveda may coexist together when we apply simple, effective strategies.
These are the dos and the dont’s.
“I still don’t have the right amount of coffee in my system, don’t talk to me yet”
Have you seen mugs with similar messages?
They are a description of the strong dependence people feel for coffee.
Having coffee becomes synonymous with functioning and being productive. Every so often, it might also indicate our capacity to engage in a conversation or feel approachable.
It doesn’t have to be that way, though.
The Ayurvedic perspective on coffee
While coffee is certainly something most people can’t live without, when applying Ayurveda to our lives, we understand foods can act as medicine, neutral nourishment, or poison.
Coffee can be a tonic for a few people.
Or, its effect might be unnoticeable for those who have a strong constitution.
But, for some, and I dare to say the majority of us, coffee can be a significant aggravation factor.
If you are Vata dominant like me, or Pitta aggravated, coffee should be either reduced or eliminated.
I know… I know…
It sounds easier said than done.
If that’s the case, practice the following principles to make your cup of joe less depleting and stimulating.
To learn more about how to eat for your body type
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Making coffee more tolerable
Vata and Pitta doshas, specially, should make some modification to the quantity or way of preparation of coffee.
These are the suggestions.
➸ Add ghee or coconut oil to your coffee
Coffee is dry.
Drinking it by itself can be deeply aggravating for Vata body types. Instead, add some fat, like ghee, to nourish your tissues and protect your nervous and digestive system.
➸ Mix your coffee with homemade almond milk
Coffee is hot.
Which can intensify the heat in a Pitta body. Therefore, adding some home-made almond or coconut milk can make it more suitable for the fiery constitution.
➸ Use spices
Spices are a helpful tool we have to adjust the effect of foods.
With coffee, we could use cardamom, vanilla, or mint to reduce the harmful side effects in delicate bodies.
➸ The right time for drinking coffee
Avoid having coffee:
- First thing in the morning
- With an empty stomach
- In the evening (This is essential for Vatas, since when we get overly stimulated, we might suffer from insomnia)
- With meals.
The perfect coffee for your body type
Vata dosha
Vata individuals tend to be slender, suffer from anxiety, hyperactivity, insomnia, and constipation.
In addition, we often have dry nails, skin, lips, and hair.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms:
- Reduce your coffee consumption to the minimum.
- Add ghee or cashew milk instead of creamer.
- Spice it with cardamom, cinnamon, or anise.
- Sweeten your coffee with fresh date purée.
- Work on substituting coffee with ginger or cardamom teas or incorporate adaptogenic tonics, like Ashwagandha into your diet. This is a fantastic adaptogenic recipe you can try!
Pitta dosha
Pitta dosha is more inclined to suffer from inflammation imbalances like skin disorders, as well as digestion issues such as reflux and heartburn.
Based on Ayurveda teachings, coffee energetics can make Pitta more Pitta, meaning it can exacerbate the conditions of a high internal fire.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms:
- Reduce your coffee consumption to the minimum.
- Mix it with almond milk and rose water.
- Use cardamom, lavender seeds, and vanilla.
- Sweeten your coffee with maple syrup.
- Work on substituting coffee with matcha lattes or green teas.
Kapha dosha
Coffee is actually good for Kapha dosha.
In fact, it is recommended to promote weight loss and decrease congestion.
As Kaphas tend to gain weight easily and suffer from water retention, sinus congestion, and lack of motivation overall, coffee acts as an antidote for those issues.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms:
- Use cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger to render it more digestible and heating.
- Use a little of honey to sweeten it.
- Instead of coffee you can have black or peppermint tea.
