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Apple vs Coffee: Should You Replace Your Morning Cup?

apple vs coffee

A majority of American adults start their days with a cup of coffee. If you are one of them, you’re in great company! Last year, Americans consumed an estimated 3.3 billion pounds of coffee. But should you replace your favorite drink with a morning apple?

We’re taking a close look at the health benefits of apples vs coffee. Which is better? Keep reading to find out!

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Coffee Health Benefits

black coffee

You’re probably already familiar with many of coffee’s most obvious effects. You feel more alert and focused and your mood improves, mostly due to the caffeine in your favorite beans. But some other benefits may surprise you!

Many studies have been done on the effects of drinking coffee. Coffee may decrease your risk of dying by 10-15% — plus protect you from diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and diabetes. Your metabolism may improve, and your risk of obesity may be lower. Pretty amazing, right?

A cup of black coffee contains about 1 calorie, plus around 95 milligrams of caffeine. If you add sugar or cream, you’ll be adding calories and increasing your chance of a sugar crash. But a basic cup of black coffee doesn’t have any sugar in it.

Want to know more? Read our in-depth look at the effects of coffee on your body!

Pros
  • Jolt of caffeine
  • Many health benefits, including protection from diseases
  • Just 1 calorie per cup
  • No sugar
Cons
  • Not a good source of energy
  • Potential caffeine side-effects

Apple Health Benefits

apple vs coffee which is better?
Image Credit: Shelley Pauls, Unsplash

We all know the saying “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” But is it true, and what’s really in an apple?

A medium-sized apple contains about 95 calories and 19 grams of sugar. Apples don’t have any caffeine, but you might feel more awake after eating them anyway. Why? That natural sugar, called fructose, digests slowly, giving you an even flow of energy. Apples also have about 3 grams of fiber, which can help you avoid sugar crashes. Plus, you’ll find other nutrients like Vitamin C and cholesterol-lowering pectin.

Apples make a good snack or quick breakfast, and you’ll get the most out of them if you eat them whole and uncooked. Don’t remove the skin or you’ll lose that healthy fiber!

Pros
  • Natural sugars provide steady energy
  • Doesn’t need to be brewed
  • No negative caffeine side effects
Cons
  • No caffeine to wake you up
  • More calories
  • None of that delicious coffee flavor

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Apple vs Coffee: Final Thoughts

So what’s the bottom line on apples vs coffee? Whether you should swap out your favorite drink for an apple depends on what you’re looking for. If you love the taste and smell of coffee, it will be hard to give up, even though an apple can give you a sustained, jitter-free burst of energy. Does coffee give you negative symptoms like anxiety or headaches? Consider decaf coffee or an apple! If not, there are plenty of health benefits of drinking coffee — like better metabolism and protection from certain diseases.

Both coffee and apples can be part of a healthy, balanced diet. The trick is really moderation, not just choosing between two tasty options. And if you want the best of both worlds, why not drink a cup of coffee and eat an apple? Now that’s a great breakfast!

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Featured Image Credit: Unsplash

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Kate MacDonnell

Kate is a lifelong coffee enthusiast and homebrewer who enjoys writing for coffee websites and sampling every kind of coffee known to man. She’s tried unusual coffees from all over the world and owns an unhealthy amount of coffee gear.

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