Myths and facts about coffee

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world. It is with him that we start our day, we keep him vigorous during the working day, and we pamper ourselves with him in cozy cafes on weekends. There are a lot of myths and warnings about coffee. They are now and then refuted and new ones come up. We decided to sort out the main things together with those who know everything about coffee - the experts of the Nescafe company. So, we find out the whole truth about your favorite drink.

Is it true that coffee

… bad for the heart

This statement is incorrect. When consumed in moderation, coffee does not have a negative effect on the heart, however, if consumed excessively, it can have a negative effect on human health. In Boston (USA), 85,747 women were observed by doctors for several years, and during this time, 712 cases of cardiovascular diseases were noted among them. Most often, these diseases were noted in those who drank more than six cups a day, and in those who did not drink coffee at all.

Scottish doctors, having examined 10 359 men and women, found that those who drank coffee, cardiovascular diseases were less common. These data once again confirm that everything is good in moderation.

… negatively affects pregnancy?

It is not true. Numerous studies show that moderate consumption of coffee by pregnant and lactating women is safe for their health and the health of their baby. According to research, the acceptable dosage for pregnant and lactating women is no more than 200 mg of caffeine per day (2 cups of coffee).

… addictive?

Yes and no. Some scientists believe that caffeine is not addictive. Others note that those who stop drinking coffee or drastically reduce the usual number of servings may suffer from headaches, be distracted, irritable or drowsy, but after a while these symptoms disappear. However, this always happens when a person gives up any of his habits.

… Instant coffee is not natural?

It is not true. Instant coffee is a 100% natural product, for the production of which only natural raw materials are used - coffee beans. The production of instant coffee includes the production of a coffee extract. To obtain it, green coffee beans are roasted, ground, and then passed through the brewing process. The result is a coffee extract - a product identical to coffee brewed in a Turk or coffee machine.

Before getting into the packaging - glass and tin cans or bags, the obtained coffee extract is turned into powder or granules by spray drying (powdered and agglomerated coffee) or cold drying at low temperatures (freeze-dried coffee).

… increases cholesterol levels?

This is not true. Again, moderate consumption of coffee cannot lead to high cholesterol levels. Only a very large amount of strong, unfiltered coffee can have this effect. Such a drink should be so strong that hardly anyone can drink it.

… Is a diuretic (has a diuretic effect)?

This is not true. It has been proven that moderate consumption of coffee does not have a significant effect on water-salt metabolism. On the contrary, the consumption of this drink (3-5 cups per day) covers 40% of the body's daily need for fluid.

… stimulates the brain?

Indeed, caffeine has an aphrodisiac effect on the central nervous system. The result from it is expressed in an awakening, tonic effect, an improvement in reaction time, occurs on average within twenty minutes after drinking the drink and can last for several hours.

It has been observed that people who regularly consume coffee in moderation are less at risk of developing Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease (dementia).

… can affect the strength of bone tissue, as it "flushes" calcium from the body?

If the intake of calcium meets the needs of the body, this does not happen. However, excessive consumption of caffeine can increase the excretion of calcium from the body in women who are not getting enough of this substance. Drinking coffee with milk can negate this effect.

… Is contraindicated in hypertensive patients?

This is not true. The claim that coffee increases blood pressure is based on data from Australian researcher Jack James (published early 1998). He claimed that 3-4 cups of coffee a day increased diastolic (bottom) blood pressure by 24 mm Hg. However, the same rise in arterial (blood) pressure can be obtained simply in the course of an emotional dispute with the interlocutor.

Numerous studies of scientists from different countries, conducted over 20 years, did not reveal any connection between coffee consumption and heart disease and thus refuted this myth. So, English doctors say that the "hypertensive" effect of coffee is short-lived. Dutch scientists in the course of a study of 45 people who drank regular coffee for a long time (5 cups a day), found that after these people began to drink decaffeinated coffee, their blood pressure dropped by only 1 millimeter of mercury.

… bad for the liver?

Quite the opposite. Coffee has a hepatoprotective (liver-protecting) effect, reducing the risk of liver cirrhosis. In addition, coffee can help reduce the formation of gallstones.