In recent years, with the pace of life accelerating, a "coffee culture" has gradually formed in cities. Whether it's for business meetings, casual gatherings with friends, or just to ward off drowsiness and stay alert at work, coffee has become an indispensable "companion" for many people.
With the growing prevalence of coffee culture, the question of whether coffee is healthy has become a concern for many enthusiasts. Let's explore how to enjoy coffee while promoting health.
Coffee is a brewed beverage made from roasted coffee beans, and like tea and cocoa, it is one of the world's three major non-alcoholic beverages. Coffee, originating in Africa, gained popularity in Europe during the 17th century.
Is coffee healthy?
Coffee is rich in potassium, magnesium, niacin, B vitamins, chlorogenic acid, caffeine, polyphenols, theobromine, and other components, which have certain antioxidant properties, stimulate nerve excitement, and promote metabolism.
Regular and moderate consumption of coffee by healthy adults helps improve and prevent various diseases.
Furthermore, current research suggests that drinking coffee can lower the risk of liver cancer, breast cancer, endometrial cancer, and other cancers. However, be mindful not to consume beverages that are too hot; drinks above 65°C may pose a risk of causing cancer.
How to drink coffee healthily
1. Control the intake of caffeine per day: Although coffee has many benefits, excessive intake of caffeine is harmful to the body and may lead to symptoms such as increased heart rate and respiration, insomnia, irritability, headaches, and gastrointestinal discomfort.
For generally healthy adults, it is recommended to limit caffeine intake to between 250 milligrams and 400 milligrams per day. Moreover, everyone has different sensitivities to caffeine, so the intake amount should be adjusted based on individual circumstances; other special populations need to weigh their intake based on specific situations.
It's important to note that caffeine is not only found in coffee but also in other common beverages such as tea, carbonated drinks, energy drinks, cocoa, and chocolate. Be sure to consider these sources when monitoring your caffeine intake.
2. Avoid drinking coffee on an empty stomach. Coffee contains a high amount of caffeine, which can stimulate gastric acid secretion and increase gastric acid concentration.
Drinking coffee on an empty stomach in large quantities can lead to excessive stomach acid, causing stomach pain, heartburn, and even nausea. It may also cause accelerated heartbeat, chest tightness, palpitations, and other discomforts. Moreover, coffee accelerates the body's energy consumption, so drinking coffee on an empty stomach in the morning may lead to hypoglycemia.
Therefore, it is best to drink coffee after breakfast or lunch. If you're accustomed to drinking coffee in the morning, consider eating some carbohydrate-rich foods like bread before consuming coffee. This can help protect the gastrointestinal tract and provide energy to the body.
3. Avoid drinking coffee too late. Typically, caffeine takes about 8 hours to metabolize and be excreted. Drinking coffee after dinner may easily lead to insomnia or affect sleep quality. For those sensitive to caffeine, it is advisable to drink 1-2 cups between the two meals in the morning.
Additionally, caffeine has a diuretic effect, and consuming a large amount of coffee at night may lead to frequent urination, which can similarly affect sleep quality.
Coffee, as a popular beverage, indeed has many health benefits, but it also needs to be consumed in moderation and attention should be paid to how and when it is consumed. By controlling intake, and pairing them with suitable diets, we can better enjoy the pleasure of coffee while maintaining good health.
