Coffee used to be considered unhealthy because it was frequently linked to cardiovascular diseases. However, closer examination revealed that a higher proportion of coffee drinkers were smokers, thus skewing the statistics upwards. Today, we know that coffee may even protect us against cardiovascular diseases, various types of cancer, and possibly even depression.
We owe these health benefits to the antioxidants contained in coffee, which protect our cells and keep harmful inflammatory processes in check.
The idea that coffee dehydrates our bodies is also a widespread misconception. While it's true that coffee has a temporary diuretic effect, this effect is very slight. The main, and often underestimated, aspect is that coffee is 98% water – meaning we simply drink more water and therefore need to use the restroom more frequently. So, this beloved morning ritual can certainly be counted towards your daily water intake.
On average, Germans drink almost 150 liters of coffee per year. Is that too much of a good thing, or is more okay? Generally speaking, two espressos or almost five cups of filter coffee a day are considered perfectly normal and safe to drink. However, when it comes to the amount you consume, you should always listen to your body. Too much caffeine can cause euphoria, headaches, muscle problems, and potassium deficiency. True to the motto: "In moderation, not in excess."
Filter coffee or espresso?
Black filter coffee, along with milk-based (preferably plant-based) coffee drinks, is considered the healthiest of all preparation methods and is particularly suitable for people with high cholesterol. This is because the coffee filter retains oily substances such as cafestol and kahweol (which raise LDL cholesterol and triglycerides). But don't worry: cafestol and kahweol aren't "bad"; they also have anti-cancer properties. Espresso, in contrast to filter coffee, is considered easier on the stomach and is therefore better suited for people with sensitive stomachs. Filter coffee also contains significantly more caffeine than espresso.
The thing about caffeine
A cup of coffee contains approximately 80 to 120 milligrams of caffeine. This value can vary depending on the roasting process and the type of bean: on average, Arabica beans contain 1.7% caffeine and Robusta beans 4.5%.
It can take 30-40 minutes for caffeine to take effect in our bodies. If you drink a cappuccino or latte macchiato instead of black coffee, this process can be delayed by the fat in the milk. Once the caffeine starts to work, it displaces the sleep-inducing neurotransmitter adenosine in our brain, thus providing more energy, a better mood, and improved concentration. The stimulating effect wears off after about four hours.
Coffee during pregnancy
During pregnancy, coffee consumption should be limited as much as possible, if not eliminated entirely. According to current studies, pregnant women should consume no more than 300 milligrams of caffeine per day and be sure to include other caffeinated foods in their intake. While it takes most people an average of four hours for caffeine to be metabolized, this process can take up to 20 hours in pregnant women. It is not yet medically proven whether caffeine actually harms the child. However, it should always be remembered that fetuses and infants lack the enzyme to break down caffeine and therefore react more strongly to it. To make the transition easier, we offer great alternatives in our product range, such as our decaffeinated coffee from Mexico or our delicious lupin coffee.
Coffee as a diet aid and fountain of youth
The caffeine in coffee stimulates the metabolism, thus boosting fat burning. In addition, coffee curbs our appetite and contains hardly any calories. These properties make our favorite beverage a perfect companion for any diet. Coffee (whether caffeinated or not) also acts as a fountain of youth: it inhibits our body cells called mTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin), which are responsible for our aging process, thus keeping us young.
