Coffee

Sorry, coffee is not officially part of the Budwig Diet! However, Dr. Johanna Budwig was not entirely opposed to it- she even recommended coffee for use as an enema.

Instead of coffee, Dr. Budwig recommended green tea, which is naturally rich in antioxidants and is traditionally enjoyed without sugar or milk.

 

Why Didn’t Dr. Budwig Recommend Drinking Coffee?

There are several possible reasons.

In the mid-twentieth century, coffee was almost always served with cream, milk, and sugar. These additions were so closely associated with coffee that Dr. Budwig may simply have found it easier to exclude coffee altogether.

Another factor may have been the quality of coffee available at the time. In the years following the Second World War, many people drank ersatz coffees made from heavily roasted chicory, barley, and other substitutes because real coffee was scarce. These were very different from today’s high-quality organic coffee and may also have influenced her opinion.

Of course, we cannot know Dr. Budwig’s exact reasons, as she never stated them directly. These remain informed possibilities rather than established facts.

What Does Modern Research Say?

Today’s scientific research suggests that high-quality black coffee can be a healthy drink. Coffee is a rich source of antioxidants, and moderate consumption is associated with better health and increased longevity.

To maximise these benefits, coffee should be drunk black. Some research suggests that adding milk may reduce the availability of certain antioxidant compounds. Sugar, however, is a definite no-no on the Budwig Diet and should be avoided altogether.

Should You Drink Coffee on the Budwig Diet?

Part of your decision will depend on why you are following the Budwig Diet and whether you feel that an occasional cup of black coffee is unlikely to detract from the benefits of Dr. Budwig’s nutritional principles.

Whether modern scientific evidence provides sufficient reason to depart from Dr. Budwig’s original recommendations is a personal decision. Some people prefer to follow her programme exactly as she taught it, while others are comfortable incorporating well-supported nutritional research that has emerged since her time.

Ultimately, that choice is yours. If you decide to include coffee, do choose organic.

One interesting detail is that shows Dr. Budwig was not completely against coffee. In one of her muesli recipes, she included coffee as an ingredient, which sounds like an interesting dessert variation on the Budwig cream. Maybe try it with bananas and blueberries.