If you’re someone who relies on coffee for your morning pick-me-up, you probably have a particular way you enjoy your cup of joe, whether that’s black, with a bit of almond milk, or a dash of creamer. Unfortunately, though, one of the most popular coffee ingredients is also the most detrimental to your health. That’s right: experts warn that loading your morning beverage with sweet, sugary creamer could lead to serious health consequences. While coffee itself is relatively healthy on its own, adding sugary coffee creamer can turn your healthy drink into a unhealthy treat.
To learn more about the health effects of high-sugar coffee creamers, we spoke to health experts personal trainer and fitness blogger Macy Sarbacker and Functional Nutrition Practitioner Megan Joy Brynok. They told us this ingredient can lead to blood sugar spikes, weight gain, and more. Find all of their insight below!
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Sugary creamer
As much as we hate to admit it, sweet, sugary coffee creamer is terrible for your overall health. Think about this: Would you start your day with a milkshake? Probably not–but if you’re adding a ton of high-sugar creamer to your morning coffee, you’re probably not too far off. "If you choose to add creamers and flavoring to your coffee, you may be drinking a glorified milkshake,” Sarbacker warns. This is because many coffee creamers are loaded with added sugars and empty calories (these are calories that provide no nutrient values). That means that when you use this (albeit delicious) ingredient, you’re packing in a lot of unnecessary sugar and calories to your coffee without getting any of the nutrients your body needs.
Starting your day with a lot of sugar on an empty stomach can also have negative impacts on your health. Sarbacker notes that it will "instantly spike your glucose levels which can lead to cravings and binge-eating later in the day." This can lead to a vicious cycle of cravings and overeating, which can be detrimental to your overall health and wellness.
Brynok adds that "piling on the cream and sugar can cause extra calories to stack up and ultimately hinder weight loss goals altogether." If you are trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight, adding sugary coffee creamer to your coffee can be a major hindrance. The extra calories can add up quickly and make it more difficult for you to reach your weight loss goals.
But the health effects don’t just stop at your waistline. In addition to the negative impacts on weight and cravings, sugary coffee creamer can also contribute to a host of other health problems. Consuming too much sugar can lead to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic conditions. It can also contribute to tooth decay and other oral health problems. Yikes!
The bottom line
Overall, it is important to be mindful of the ingredients you add to your coffee. While a little bit of cream or sugar every now and then may not be a problem, adding large amounts of sugary coffee creamer can have a myriad of negative impacts on your health. Consider opting for healthier alternatives such as almond milk or a small amount of whole milk to add a little bit of creaminess to your coffee without all the added sugar and empty calories. Your body will thank you!
