Few things are easier than sitting down with a fresh cup of coffee, but not everything in the world of coffee is positive. Coffee drinkers, based on cultural myths, end up overly concerned about unverified health claims. Myths range from coffee stunting your growth to coffee giving you issues with your heart. This article aims to dispel the myths surrounding coffee, so you are able to enjoy your morning cup of coffee without concern. Grab a cup and read on.
1. Coffee Stunts Your Growth
A tale that goes back generations is that parents tell kids the enticing smell of coffee stunts your growth. Coffee is a great source of many positive benefits in the world of caffeine. Healthcare providers recommend coffee consumption in moderation. It is always a good practice to consult a health care provider for personalized dietary advice.
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2. Coffee Causes Dehydration
Some think that because of its effects on urination, coffee consumption leads to dehydration. That’s not the case. Research suggests that coffee consumption, in moderation, can be added to the total fluid intake goal. Most drinks are dehydrating, but the water in coffee is enough to counteract the mild dehydrating effect of coffee. So, enjoy your morning coffee because it won’t dry you out. You may consume coffee on a daily basis, but be careful to limit your consumption to avoid potential negative health effects.
3. Dark Roast Has More Caffeine Than Light Roast
The misconception that dark roast coffee contains more caffeine than light roast coffee is common. While it is true that the roasting process of light roast coffee takes less time than dark roast coffee, there are still several steps involved in processing and roasting. When the beans are roasted, their moisture content is reduced, and so is their caffeine content. This process is opposite in light coffee roasts, as they retain more moisture and therefore more caffeine. Next time you feel like you need a strong coffee, go for a light roast! You can also play with different varieties to have a different flavor profile.
4. Coffee Can Sober You Up
Coffee is believed to help sober you up after a night of drinking. This is far from the truth! Regardless of the presence of coffee, the body will still take the same amount of time to process the alcohol. The caffeine in the coffee will not reduce the intoxication level of a person, and it will not reduce the concentration of alcohol in the blood. It will take a certain amount of time for the alcohol to no longer have an effect on a person. Next time you plan to drink and have coffee after, be aware that it is unlikely to help get you sober.
5. Decaf Coffee Has No Caffeine
Most people think the word “decaf” means that the coffee has no caffeine at all, which is incorrect. Decaffeinated coffee does still contain some caffeine. In fact, about 2-5 milligrams of caffeine are found in a cup of decaf coffee. Comparatively, a regular cup of coffee has about 95 milligrams of caffeine. So yes, decaf does reduce caffeine, but not completely in most cases. This is especially true if you are caffeine sensitive or if you are tracking and monitoring caffeine consumption. The good thing about drinking decaf is that the rich and inviting flavors of brewed coffee can still be enjoyed without the added caffeine stimulus. So remember, the next time you order decaf coffee, you can still get a small caffeine boost.
6. Espresso Has More Caffeine Than Drip Coffee
Many people consider Espresso drinks to be very strong and powerful because espresso has a very strong flavor. However, espresso actually contains less caffeine than a typical cup of coffee. It is true that espresso has a strong burst of caffeine. However, a cup of espresso usually has less than one-eighth of a twelve-ounce cup of coffee. This is because drip coffees and other types of coffee are larger in content and will contain more caffeine and be absorbed more. For people who enjoy the coffee drinking ritual, it is also about the beverage and the caffeine. So the next time you buy a cup of espresso or a cup of coffee, keep in mind the flavor and the overall caffeine content of the drink.
7. Coffee Raises the Risk of Heart Disease
Recent research does show that drinking coffee and having a good heart do go hand in hand. People who have moderate coffee consumption, usually 3 to 5 cups a day, are no more likely to have heart disease than people who don’t drink coffee. This is also the case for people who consume large amounts of coffee. This has been attributed to the antioxidants and other protective heart compounds that are found in coffee. Of course, other factors do play into your heart’s protection as well, including exercise and diet. In relation to heart health and drinking coffee, it is a good idea to consult a physician.
8. Coffee Causes Insomnia
It is often believed that drinking coffee can lead to insomnia. Studies have shown that coffee has the potential to disrupt sleep, but drinking coffee can be done in a way that won’t lead to insomnia. It has been shown that coffee stimulates the brain for 5-6 hours. This means that as long as you drink coffee in the morning or afternoon, it’s unlikely to affect your sleep. The most important thing to remember is to watch the hours. As long as coffee is consumed at reasonable hours, it is completely fine to drink coffee.
9. Pregnant Women Must Avoid All Coffee
Because there is a concern about how coffee is consumed during pregnancy, health experts have recommended that pregnant women limit, if not completely avoid, caffeine. However, research now shows that pregnant women can drink coffee if they manage their caffeine intake. Prenatal care providers suggest that pregnant women limit their caffeine intake to 200 milligrams, which is about the same as one 12-ounce cup of coffee.
Therefore, pregnant women should not have a problem drinking coffee as long as they are taking care of themselves by keeping track of the other foods and drinks that contain caffeine. Pregnant women should talk to their doctors to discuss how much caffeine is safe and healthy for them and their baby.
10. Coffee Leads to Osteoporosis
Some fear that coffee can lead to osteoporosis, as some believe that caffeine interferes with calcium absorption, and because of that, they don’t drink it. However, studies show that there is no significant impact on the bones when they evaluate the effect of coffee on bone density. The lesson is to balance the coffee you drink with soft drinks and energy drinks. A healthy lifestyle that includes coffee is good for your bone health. A healthy diet that includes coffee as part of your daily meals will support your bone health.
11. Coffee Helps You Lose Weight Significantly
One of the possible benefits of coffee is that it may help burn fat because it is said to stimulate the metabolism. This is most likely due to one of the effects of caffeine that may help speed up the metabolic rate. However, there are better ways to lose weight. Losing and maintaining a healthy weight is best achieved through a healthy diet and exercise. Coffee can help with those goals, but it is not a requirement.
Drinking coffee and its metabolism benefits are only additional benefits that come along with other healthy processes in your body. You can drink your coffee guilt-free, but weight loss and maintaining those goals can only be achieved through a healthy routine.
12. Coffee Beans Are Actually Beans
While the name sounds like it is for a legume, a coffee ‘bean’ is not actually a bean at all; it is a seed that comes from the coffee cherry. The process to get the coffee that we drink starts with the coffee plant. When the coffee cherries are ripe, they change to a vivid red or yellow color. The coffee cherries are then picked, and the seeds are extracted from the cherries. Finally, the seeds are dried and roasted to create the coffee ‘beans’ that we drink. The entire process from the plant to the cup is often overlooked but creates a strong connection between the consumers and the original plant. This process shows the complexity of the drink and the skill involved to create it.
13. Adding Milk or Cream Negates Coffee’s Health Benefits
Some hold the opinion that adding cream or milk to one’s coffee results in the loss of health benefits coffee possesses, most significantly, its antioxidants. Fortunately, this is not the case. Research shows that cream or milk does not remove any of the beneficial components coffee contains. Milk or cream may alter how quickly some of the antioxidants are absorbed, but that is all. Additionally, milk and cream provide extra nutrients to coffee in the form of Calcium and Vitamin D. The health benefits of coffee are comparably the same whether one drinks it black or adds cream, and so one’s personal preference can reign supreme, and one can enjoy coffee how one likes it.
14. Coffee Is Bad for Your Liver
Another common myth is that coffee is harmful to your liver, which is now known to not be true. In actuality, research shows that coffee may provide benefits for the liver! These benefits include a lower risk of liver disease and possibly even helping to prevent liver cancer. The reason that coffee is so beneficial for the health of the liver is due to the presence of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that help to protect the cells of the liver.
While drinking coffee may provide some benefit to liver health, it should definitely be consumed in moderation and should not be the only thing done to care for the liver; however, when drinking coffee is part of an overall healthy diet, liver function can actually be improved.
15. Instant Coffee Is Less Healthy Than Brewed Coffee
Many people think instant coffee is unhealthy because it is less favored than brewed coffee. The stigma is not aligned with the facts. From a health benefit and nutritional perspective, instant coffee and brewed coffee are similar. In fact, instant coffee contains a particular antioxidant known as chlorogenic acid. Chlorogenic acid is linked to several positive health benefits. The convenience that comes with instant coffee does not mean people miss out on the nutrients that coffee provides.
