If you are someone who enjoys a hot cup of coffee in the morning and feels guilty afterward, this article is for you, learn about the benefits and harms of coffee.
Whether you prefer your coffee lightly sugared, brewed, bitter, foamy or full of granules, many of you can’t give up your favorite coffee, and in fact you don’t really have to, as drinking coffee has some health benefits, but doctors’ opinions are divided on whether the benefits of coffee outweigh the negatives or vice versa.
Table of Contents
What is Coffee
Coffee, or coffee of all kinds, is considered the main morning drink for most people nowadays, as it has a refreshing taste, aroma, and stimulates all human senses. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the annual consumption of coffee around the world is estimated at about seven million tons, and it is consumed in many ways, whether in different regions or even in the same country.
It is worth noting that different types of coffee differ in their preparation and processing methods. There are many benefits of coffee that have been proven scientifically and in clinical studies, as drinking coffee in specific quantities has a positive effect on the body, but it should also be noted that excessive drinking has the opposite effect on the health of the body, and the person will suffer from anxiety, anxiety, or what is called caffeine poisoning.
The nutritional value of coffee
Coffee contains many substances and nutrients that are the source of coffee’s multiple benefits, including these elements:
- Caffeine: Coffee is one of the richest natural sources of caffeine, which is primarily responsible for coffee’s benefits of increasing brain activity and energy levels in the body.
- Theobromine.
- Theophylline.
- High amounts of antioxidants that protect against many diseases.
- Minerals such as potassium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus and folic acid.
The concentrations of these compounds in coffee vary depending on the amount of coffee grounds, the coffee preparation process, the quality of the water used to prepare the coffee, and other compounds.
Nutritional value per 100 ml of coffee:
Nutrient | Amount per 100 ml |
---|---|
Calories | 1–2 kcal |
Protein | 0.1–0.2 g |
Fat | 0 g |
Carbohydrates | 0 g |
Sugar | 0 g |
Fiber | 0 g |
Caffeine | ~40–60 mg |
Types of coffee
There are many types of coffee, in general the benefits of coffee do not differ from one type to another.
- Arabica or Arabic coffee, which is the most widespread type of coffee around the world, originated in Ethiopia and accounts for about 80% of the world’s coffee production.
- Robusta coffee.
- Decaffeinated coffee.
- Sweet coffee or Turkish coffee.
Decaffeinated Coffee
Decaffeinated coffee is coffee made from regular coffee beans that have had at least 97% of their caffeine content removed (which means that they are not completely decaffeinated), before the coffee beans are subjected to any type of processing or roasting.
Coffee is decaffeinated in several ways, and it is assumed that the properties and benefits of coffee do not change much after this process, but the color may change or the taste may become less intense; depending on the method used to remove the caffeine, this may be more satisfying for people who are unable to tolerate the bitterness or smell of coffee, or people who suffer from caffeine sensitivity.
Decaffeinated coffee still retains the properties of coffee beans, so it provides the same benefits of coffee except for those that caffeine does.
Sweet coffee or Turkish coffee
Sweet or Turkish coffee is a method of brewing coffee that originated in Middle Eastern and European countries, including Turkey, Iran, and Greece. Since sweet coffee is unfiltered, it has a higher concentration of caffeine than other types.
Espresso:
Espresso coffee is stronger than regular black coffee. It is prepared by exposing ground coffee beans to water vapor, has a thick consistency, and is added to a wide range of coffee drinks, This coffee contains less cafestol than boiled coffee, but more than filtered coffee, and it is a stimulant of low-density lipoprotein levels, so it is better than boiled coffee, but filtered coffee is the better of the two in terms of cafestol content
Arabic coffee:
In the Middle East, coffee is brewed and prepared by adding several spices, such as cardamom, cinnamon, saffron, and ginger, to balance the bitter flavor of coffee, dates and fruits are also served with Arabic coffee, and it has been observed that Arabic coffee prepared with cardamom or cloves provides antioxidant activity.
Benefits of coffee
Adjusting mood, increasing body activity, awakening the mind and feeling awake are some of the most important benefits of coffee that everyone who drinks coffee is looking for.
But studies have proven that there are multiple other benefits of coffee, as it works to increase the body’s immunity, reduce weight, and other positive effects on humans, when drunk or used externally.
1. Rich in antioxidants
One of the biggest benefits of coffee is that it is rich in antioxidants, especially in the form of green coffee beans. Each cup of Nescafe contains these antioxidants, and it’s also high in polyphenols that work in conjunction with other minerals to help the body and cells function optimally, protect against disease, and maintain overall good health.
2. Improved memory and cognition
People who drank caffeinated coffee in the morning performed better on tasks related to learning new information, as coffee can also improve cognitive function with age, and it was found that combining coffee with something sweet gave the most effective effect, as the combination of the two contributes to improving cognitive ability while improving short-term memory.
3. Helps prevent headaches
Caffeine is a natural vasodilator, which means it helps lower blood pressure by preventing the muscles of the veins from tightening. People who suffer from headaches can benefit from coffee, especially if they add some milk. It’s important not to overdo it, as 3 cups of coffee a day can be too much and can trigger headaches and migraines.
4. Contributes to weight loss
Caffeine has long been used to help with weight loss, and is often used in many formulas, creams, or other weight loss-related products. This is because caffeine speeds up a process called “thermogenesis,” which is the way the body naturally burns fat. Interestingly, black coffee benefits the body more than latte coffee in these cases ,which may be due to the fat in the milk used or the added sugar, a known contributor to weight gain. However, coffee should not be used alone in an attempt to lose weight, it is best to combine your daily coffee with regular exercise, a healthy and nutritious diet, and drinking plenty of water.
Coffee can actually make your body retain water, which is one of the contributing factors to weight gain. A moderate amount each day will help you get the best benefits found in coffee.
5. Useful for the heart
We already know that one of the benefits of coffee is protection against cardiovascular disease. In the past, coffee and its high caffeine content have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease. This may be because caffeine is a known stimulant, but the truth is that drinking coffee regularly, black or with milk, lowers blood pressure and takes some of the pressure off your heart.
That’s why even people with high blood pressure can drink coffee. In fact, a study in the American Heart Association journal showed that due to the high antioxidant content in coffee it can have a cardioprotective effect, meaning that it effectively protects the heart. And because this is based on the antioxidant content of coffee, you will get the same benefits from decaffeinated coffee! You may ask yourself, does black coffee have any benefits or should I add milk? The answer is simple. Coffee with milk and black coffee offer exactly the same benefits!
6. Stimulates the mind
Coffee is rich in caffeine, the element from coffee that stimulates and energizes our bodies and minds. It helps improve certain cognitive functions and memory. Caffeine also helps maintain focus, vitality, and alertness, another benefit of drinking coffee, whether it’s black or with milk.
7. Keeps athletes energized
Highly active people, whether it’s just a regular fitness workout or even professional athletes, will benefit from drinking coffee, as it contains caffeine per cup, which in turn helps improve fitness by helping the body minimize the effects of fatigue, boost concentration and stay alert.
8. Fighting free radicals
We often forget that coffee is actually a plant, like any other plant, and coffee beans contain natural substances that the body feeds on, as well as more than 1,000 natural compounds of phytochemicals that boost immunity and health.
Many of these phytochemicals are antioxidants that protect the body’s cells from oxidative damage caused by free radicals.
9. Fights Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
The relationship between coffee drinking and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s has been studied for years. It is very likely that drinking coffee regularly will reduce the likelihood of developing these diseases in the future.
10. The pleasure of drinking a delicious cup of coffee
Coffee offers a wide range of health benefits, but this list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning how good it feels to sit back, relax, and drink a hot, rich cup of coffee. Coffee is there when we are with friends, when we are having meetings, discussing deals and starting relationships, it is an important part of our society worldwide, and it benefits people more than anything else.
A good source of vitamins and minerals: Coffee contains many vitamins and minerals, such as magnesium, potassium, niacin, choline, and others.
Benefits of Coffee for Hair
One of the proven benefits of coffee is its ability to maintain the natural pH of the scalp, thus maintaining the integrity and freshness of healthy hair. In addition to being used as a natural hair dye to increase the intensity of the brown color in the hair.
Benefits of Coffee for Skin
Coffee can help prevent many skin disorders, such as reducing wrinkles and pigmentation, and improving the overall appearance of the skin. Coffee has also become one of the most important skin exfoliators nowadays, because one of the benefits of coffee for the skin is that it helps reduce puffiness around the eyes:
- It helps reduce puffiness around the eyes.
- Reduces cellulite.
- Helps treat acne.
- It protects the skin from UV rays due to its antioxidants.
Benefits of Coffee for Slimming
The caffeine in coffee increases the secretion of the hormone epinephrine, which in turn stimulates the breakdown of fat stored in the body, in addition to the role of caffeine in increasing the rates of metabolic processes, which helps to enhance the benefits of coffee in getting rid of excess weight.
The benefits of sweet coffee or Turkish coffee
Sweet coffee may be distinguished from other types of coffee by the following:
- Its ability to improve athletic performance due to its high caffeine content.
- It contains higher levels of beneficial compounds found in other coffees because it is unfiltered, as coffee beans contain beneficial compounds such as chlorogenic acids, which provide health benefits such as reducing inflammation and controlling blood sugar, cholesterol levels, and high blood pressure.
- They contain diterpenoids that may reduce inflammation, fight infection and support heart health.
- Turkish coffee is often prepared using cardamom, a savory spice that has been linked to many health benefits, for example, cardamom contains powerful antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation and thus reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Benefits of decaffeinated coffee
The benefits of decaffeinated coffee may include:
- Reducing the risk of diabetes.
- Protecting the liver from toxicity.
- Maintaining the health of the cardiovascular system by keeping the lining of blood vessels healthy, which allows for better vasodilation and vasoconstriction, ensuring that the right amount of oxygen and nutrient-rich blood is delivered to all parts of the body.
- Enhance brain function, reduce the risk of dementia, neurodegenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s), and protect against mental decline due to aging.
Harm of coffee
Despite the previously mentioned benefits of coffee, there are many harms when drinking coffee excessively, including the following:
- Increased feelings of anxiety and stress, and increased nervousness in some individuals.
- Increasing the time it takes for the body to fall asleep, i.e. insomnia and trouble sleeping.
- Indigestion, vomiting, or heartburn in people who are sensitive to coffee.
- Diarrhea or loose stools, which is caused by increased bowel movements.
- Exacerbation of gastroesophageal reflux disease.
- Coffee addiction.
- High blood pressure and increased heart rate.
- The need to urinate frequently.
- Increased incontinence.
- Dehydration.
- Increased risk of acne and wrinkles.
- Slower wound healing and decreased ability of the skin to produce collagen.
- Increased risk of miscarriage, premature birth, or low birth weight.
- Increased bowel activity, trouble sleeping, or irritability in infants if a nursing mother drinks too much coffee.
- Yellow coloration of the teeth.
- Hyperactivity, difficulty sleeping, and stomach issues when children drink coffee in large quantities.
Coffee Cautions
You should be careful and attentive when consuming coffee in some cases, including the following
- Anxiety disorders: The caffeine in coffee may worsen anxiety disorders.
- Bleeding disorders: Coffee is likely to worsen the condition of bleeding disorders.
- Heart disease: Drinking boiled, unfiltered coffee raises cholesterol and lipid levels in the blood and increases homocysteine levels, which increases the risk of heart disease, and drinking coffee may be associated with an increased risk of cardiac arrest.
- diabetes: Drinking coffee can change the way it handles sugar in people with diabetes, which can negatively affect their blood sugar levels. As mentioned earlier, drinking caffeine can change blood sugar levels by raising or lowering them, so diabetics should be careful not to drink too much caffeine and monitor their blood sugar levels.
- Diarrhea: The caffeine in coffee can increase diarrhea when consumed in large quantities.
- Irritable bowel syndrome: Because coffee contains caffeine, it can worsen the symptoms of IBS and diarrhea, when consumed in large quantities.
- High blood pressure: Drinking coffee can increase blood pressure in people with high blood pressure, but this effect may be mild in people who are habitual coffee drinkers.
- Osteoporosis: Caffeinated coffee increases the amount of calcium excreted in the urine, which may increase bone weakness, so it is recommended to limit caffeine consumption to less than 300 milligrams per day, or the equivalent of two to three cups of coffee, by people with osteoporosis. Some post-menopausal women have a genetic condition that reduces the natural production of vitamin D in their bodies, so they should be careful when consuming caffeine.
Frequently asked questions
What are the benefits of coffee without sugar?
Despite the many benefits of coffee, it can become harmful when sugar is added to it, because sugar contains a large amount of fructose sugar, which is associated with an increased risk of a wide range of health issues such as obesity and diabetes, if consumed excessively, so drinking coffee without adding sugar is better for health, to obtain the benefits mentioned earlier
What are the benefits of drinking coffee before sports
The caffeine found in coffee has a positive effect on the performance of athletes, as it is considered one of the supplements they consume, and a large number of studies have shown the benefits of caffeine for athletes, especially in increasing endurance, high intensity exercises and strength.
Is coffee grounds harmful to the kidneys?
There are no scientific studies that show the potential harms of drinking coffee peel.
Is coffee peel good for menstruation and menstruation
Although some people use coffee peel drinks to reduce the symptoms of menstruation and puerperium, there are no scientific studies that prove this effect.
Conclusion
Coffee is known as black coffee, or bitter coffee, and it is one of the most consumed food commodities around the world, and it belongs to the coffee genus and belongs to the Fuya family, and often grows in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, and coffee is prepared cold or hot from brewing ground coffee beans, and it is worth noting that the actual part that is used from the coffee bean is the seed inside the coffee fruit, which is produced by the coffee tree.