Coffee is the most popular drink all over the world. It appeared thanks to the inhabitants of Ethiopia, who paid attention to goats eating berries from the bush, after which they became very energetic. Noticing this, people decided to try the miracle berries. Time passed, and they learned to prepare a tasty drink with a pleasant aroma, invigorating and giving strength.
Missionaries from Europe in Africa learned about the invigorating drink from shepherds, and its fame quickly spread throughout the world. Today, a large number of people cannot imagine starting their day without drinking a cup of coffee.
Coffee: the pros and cons of the drink
All food products have their pros and cons for human health, coffee is no exception. You can often hear from doctors that this is a harmful drink, but the fact that it gives you vigor is known even without them. True connoisseurs of this popular drink will be interested to know what its pros and cons are and what effect it has on the human body.
Many scientists argue that coffee is not a safe drink, but they agree that if consumed in moderation, it will not cause harm to health. According to scientists, 2-3 cups of aromatic drink cannot have a negative effect on the body. Nutritionists advise drinking 4-6 cups of coffee.
According to the results of recent studies, this amount of an invigorating drink is completely safe, but exceeding the dose can negatively affect your health. Let's take a closer look at its advantages and disadvantages.
Pros:
- The drink contains natural antioxidants necessary for the body.
- It is able to prevent the formation of stones in the kidneys and bile ducts.
- Coffee can help ease asthma attacks.
- The aromatic, sugar-free drink prevents the development of diabetes.
Minuses:
- Possible development of heart disease.
- Increases cholesterol.
- Provokes arthrosis.
The effect of coffee on the female body
The dangers of coffee for women deserve special attention. The alkaloid it contains provokes the active production of cortisol (stress hormone). Due to this, hormonal levels change. When the concentration of this substance increases, the level of progesterone, which is responsible for fertilization and a successful pregnancy outcome, decreases.
In addition, caffeine affects the activity of the thyroid gland. This organ is responsible for metabolic processes. The harmful effect of coffee is that with its help the thyroid gland begins to function somewhat differently. Metabolic processes slow down and excess weight appears. Therefore, if a woman cannot lose weight, she should give up coffee drinks.
The harm to a woman’s health is especially pronounced during the period of bearing a child. After all, under its influence, calcium is removed from the body, which is necessary for the formation of the fetal skeleton.
Scientists have discovered that caffeine crosses the placenta. If a pregnant woman abuses coffee drinks, the following negative changes are noted:
- decreased calcium concentration in the female body;
- increased heart rate in the fetus;
- insufficient blood circulation in the placenta. As a result, the risk of anemia increases. The child does not receive the proper amount of oxygen, which he needs for the formation of all organs and systems, including the brain. Due to anemia, the likelihood of premature birth increases;
- the fetus develops more slowly than it should. Possible birth of an underweight baby;
- increased risk of giving birth to a child with cardiovascular diseases.
It is also worth remembering the negative effects of coffee on the cardiovascular system and dehydration. For an expectant mother, fluid deficiency and even minor surges in blood pressure can be fatal.
Read more about the effect of coffee on the body during pregnancy in the article “Coffee during pregnancy.”
Black coffee: pros and cons
The benefits of this drink are undeniable. When consumed, the hormone that improves mood, serotonin, is intensively produced. It effectively helps overcome depression.
If you drink a cup of aromatic drink in the morning, your performance will increase by 10%. It contains microelements important for the functioning of the body, such as vitamin P, B5. Many headache medications contain caffeine.
It also has harmful properties. The caffeine contained in the drink activates the activity of the heart, which causes blood vessels to narrow and blood pressure to increase. People who drink more than 6 cups per day have a 50% increased risk of heart attack.
Coffee stimulates the production of dopamine, and the nervous system is in an excited state. Therefore, insomnia and other sleep disorders may occur. Caffeine acts as a diuretic, flushing out essential minerals and vitamins for the body. When drinking an aromatic drink, it is necessary to replenish the fluid lost by the body.
Caffeine negatively affects intestinal function. If you drink coffee frequently, your digestion may be disrupted. And it is also addictive.
The best bean coffee brands:
- Paulig.
- Kimbo.
- Gut.
- "Live Coffee"
- Gaggia.
- Malongo.
- Lavazza.
- EvaDia.
- Italcafe.
Bean coffee is highly valued among gourmets; each of the presented brands has a rich taste and its own unique aroma.
List of main contraindications
There are contraindications in which coffee should be limited or completely eliminated. The main ones include:
- Pregnancy (the maximum allowable dose is 2 cups, it is better to avoid it altogether).
- Lactation.
- Any sleep disturbances.
- Mental disorders (neuroses, obsessive-compulsive syndrome, panic attacks, etc.).
- Diseases of the stomach and duodenum. This group includes: acute gastritis, exacerbation of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer.
- GERD.
- Uncontrolled hypertension and symptomatic arterial hypertension.
- Smoking (the dose of caffeine should be reduced by at least 2 times, it is recommended to give up either coffee or smoking).
- Glaucoma.
- Taking oral contraceptives and fluvoxamine (an antidepressant). These drugs slow down the metabolism of caffeine in the body.
- Iron-deficiency anemia.
- Liver diseases with decreased functional activity of the organ (cirrhosis).
During pregnancy, caffeine can penetrate the feto-placental barrier and cause the development of biological effects in the fetus, which poses a high danger to the life of the unborn child. It is recommended to completely avoid coffee or significantly limit its consumption to 200 mg of caffeine (2 cups) per day.
When breastfeeding, coffee is strictly contraindicated, since large doses of caffeine penetrate into breast milk and even accumulate in it.
For children
coffee is also contraindicated. Due to the immaturity of most of the child’s body systems, the drink can cause harm (delayed growth and development, early development of cardiovascular diseases). The minimum age threshold for a teenager is 13-15 years.
Elderly people , in the absence of serious diseases of the cardiovascular system (uncontrolled hypertension, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction or stroke in history), are allowed and even beneficial to drink coffee (1-2 cups per day). It helps increase life expectancy, is good for the brain and prevents the occurrence of extremely common degenerative brain diseases (Pick's disease, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's).
There are quite a few pathological conditions and diseases in which coffee can cause significant harm to the human body. If in doubt, consult a doctor.
Instant coffee
Let's look at the pros and cons of instant coffee. He has his fans and opponents. Those who love instant coffee are sure that it consists of the same ingredients that are present in natural coffee. The instant drink is easy to use and store. It has no sediment and dissolves not only in boiling water, but also in cool water.
The instant invigorating drink has fewer calories. But lovers of natural coffee claim that instant coffee cannot be compared to real coffee; the aroma and consistency are far from natural.
Many people think that an instant drink has less caffeine in its composition than a natural one, but this is far from the case. In fact, the amount of caffeine in natural coffee is an order of magnitude less. Because of this, doctors do not recommend drinking instant drinks often. It is better to replace it with grain.
It's healthier and tastier. Instant drinks contain a large number of harmful chemicals, unlike custard drinks. They make instant coffee. The pros and cons of using it are:
1. Pros:
- Duration of storage.
- Availability and low price.
- Easy to prepare.
- Little caffeine.
2. Cons:
- Caffeine is eliminated from the body over a long period of time.
- Contains a large number of chemicals.
- Causes increased stomach acidity.
- Removes nutrients and speeds up the digestion process.
When should you give up coffee?
In a number of studies, scientists have identified factors indicating the need to give up coffee drinks:
- pain in the abdomen. Substances contained in grains stimulate gastric secretion and lead to irritation of the mucous membranes. As a result, painful sensations arise;
- change in heart rhythm. This is a clear sign that you need to give up coffee. Otherwise, more serious heart problems will occur;
- trembling in hands. Occurs when there is excessive sensitivity to a natural alkaloid;
- migraine. As a rule, it is observed when drinking very strong drinks;
- disruption of the digestive process. Diarrhea or constipation that occurs for no apparent reason is considered a consequence of drinking espresso.
If such symptoms appear, the use of invigorating drinks should be minimized or completely abandoned, and also seek advice from a specialist.
With milk
Everyone knows that milk is a storehouse of vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Its beneficial properties have been known to mankind since ancient times. You can and should consume milk and dairy products at any age; they are perfectly digestible. When consumed, the pros and cons of coffee with milk boil down to the fact that there is only one minus, it should not be drunk by obese people.
Adding milk to a drink is very useful; the ingredients in the invigorating drink remove beneficial substances from the body, and milk replenishes them. Caffeine has an stimulating effect on the body, while milk has a calming and relaxing effect. A drink with milk has a positive effect on the body, increasing productivity, giving vigor and energy.
This drink is useful for people with liver disease, as well as those suffering from gastritis, atherosclerosis, and heart disease. Even doctors recommend drinking coffee, but only natural coffee diluted with milk.
Diabetic patients are advised to add only skim milk to their coffee. Elderly people who cannot cope with insomnia are recommended to drink weak coffee diluted with milk at night.
The best brands of instant coffee:
- Bushido.
- Egoiste.
- Grandos.
- Carte Noire.
- UCC.
- "Moscow coffee shop on shares."
- Taster's Choice.
- Jardin.
- Today Pure Arabica.
- Moccona.
To find out which coffee is really the best, you first need to try it yourself.
Why are energy drinks harmful?
Everything that I described above about caffeine also applies to energy drinks, since their main composition is caffeine. But energy drinks are completely synthetic drinks that have a detrimental effect on the human body. YES, once a month, if you drink, there is nothing wrong with that. But if you start drinking every day, it will lead to addiction.
You will say goodbye to your good mood, sleep poorly and become somewhat drug dependent. And energy drinks are full of sugar, which will gradually lead to obesity and a big belly.
In some countries of the world, energy drinks are completely prohibited from sale. Fortunately, in Russia they are at least restricted for sale to minors. In general, we get this: if you don’t abuse it, then in principle there’s nothing wrong with it, but getting hooked on energy drinks takes a toll on the body, wallet, and liver.
Slimming coffee
Caffeine makes a person more alert, speeding up metabolism, and reduces hunger. This drink can be used as a good way to lose weight. But it is not suitable for everyone.
It all depends on the individual characteristics of the body. For some people, drinking coffee increases their appetite. For weight loss with coffee to be effective, you need an integrated approach. We must not forget that physical exercise and a low-calorie diet are mandatory.
How to stop drinking coffee
Overcoming caffeine addiction is quite possible. You need to fight this habit not abruptly, but gradually. It is enough to start small to eventually achieve your goal. In this case, you need to adhere to the following recommendations:
- Initially, refuse a portion of the invigorating drink at least on weekends. They are designed for relaxation. Therefore, a person does not require active energy and increased performance. Excessive vigor can interfere with proper sleep and healthy rest;
- drink tea instead of coffee. This drink also contains a natural alkaloid. Therefore, it has an invigorating effect. True, there is significantly less caffeine in tea. After this, it will be much easier to switch to juices, mineral water or compotes. Tea is not considered a panacea. It also contains a number of harmful substances and has a diuretic effect; (For more information about how you can replace coffee, read the article: “How to replace coffee: 9 tasty and healthy drinks”
- come up with a new morning ritual to help you wake up. Experienced coffee drinkers, as a rule, notice that the alkaloid no longer has the proper invigorating effect. They wake up simply because they drank a mug of hot drink. This may be heated water, broth or compote;
- try to sleep more to get enough sleep. Often, poor health is noted not as a result of caffeine withdrawal, but due to chronic lack of sleep. You need to train yourself to go to bed early. In the morning, it is recommended to set aside time for jogging or exercise. You can get a much more pronounced effect from physical activity than from an artificial psychostimulant.
Which product to choose for weight loss
Today, coffee manufacturers advertise their product in large numbers as the best for weight loss and claim that you can lose more than 5 kg per month. First of all, the consumer should take into account that only natural coffee is needed for weight loss. Soluble is not suitable.
Ingredients in coffee for weight loss:
- Guarana.
- Green tea.
- Fresh unprocessed coffee.
- Bitter orange.
- Rhubarb.
- Various spices.
The best way to lose weight is green coffee. Green beans that are not roasted contain a special acid. It converts fat cells into energy. They have a special effect on the intestinal walls, which begin to absorb less sugar under the influence of uncooked grains. Thanks to this, metabolism accelerates.
If you combine proper nutrition with physical activity, and also drink this drink, you can achieve significant results and lose 2 to 4 kg within a month.
How green coffee works
Substances contained in green grains interfere with the synthesis of cholesterol and fat cells, accelerate fat metabolism and increase energy costs. Green grains break down fat and remove toxins and excess water from the body.
What are the pros and cons of green coffee for weight loss? This question interests many who have decided to lose extra pounds with the help of this drink.
Pros:
- Burns only fat deposits.
- With green coffee you can lose about 5 kg within a month.
- Increases performance and gives vigor.
- Dulls the feeling of hunger.
- Clears the skin of acne.
- Normalizes blood sugar.
Minuses:
- Increases blood pressure.
- Causes dehydration.
- If consumed in excess, it can cause ulcers and gastritis.
- Pregnant and nursing mothers should not drink.
This drink will help you lose weight and benefit the body if a person has no contraindications to drinking coffee.
Features of green coffee for weight loss
These grains may or may not be roasted during cooking. You can grind them in a regular coffee grinder and cook them in any way. Its taste is herbal and aromatic. It is best to purchase green coffee for weight loss at a pharmacy. When using it, you must follow the instructions exactly, otherwise it may cause harm.
The best brands are: Green Coffee, Abrecafe, Cafe Mince Green.
Reviews from people who have tried this weight loss drink and from doctors are positive. Some claim to have lost 10 kg in one month, some claim to have lost 5 kg. But there are people who expected a greater effect and lost up to 3 kg in a month. Each body can react differently to green coffee; the pros and cons can only be learned by trying its effects on yourself.
Features of choice
Even the most expensive elite coffee can be spoiled if improperly stored and transported. What you should pay attention to when choosing:
- The grains should not have a dull color, they should shine.
- What matters is how the grains smell. The smell should not be moldy or have any rancid notes.
- Coffee beans must be without any cracks and have a complete appearance.
- Price. It cannot be low if it is high-quality coffee.
The most expensive coffee is produced in Indonesia and Jamaica. Its cost reaches $400 per kilogram.
The pros and cons of drinking coffee may be different for each person, because the physiology of the body and diseases are different for everyone.
The main thing is not to overuse the aromatic drink, and then there will be no health problems.
