Is black coffee your starter for the day? Do you feel that your day is incomplete without it? Are you having yours in the right way? Do you know how the consumption of black coffee impacts the mind and the body?
Black coffee is a kind of coffee that is regularly brewed. It does not have additives such as milk, sugar or cream. It is slightly bitter in taste and those who are regular black coffee consumers love it that way. Is black coffee good for health? We will try and understand it here in this article.
Nutritional Value of Black Coffee
Primarily, black coffee is a preferred option for many people as it a low-calorie drink. If you are consuming an eight-ounce of black coffee, here is the breakdown of the nutrients present in it:
Fat – Zero per cent
Sodium – Zero per cent
Sugar- Zero per cent
Carbohydrates – Zero per cent
Cholesterol – Zero per cent
Potassium- Zero per cent
As per the above nutritional breakdown of coffee, it is easy to understand that black coffee as such is not a drink that is very high on its nutritional value. Many people include it in their diet simply because it is a good ‘caffeine kick’ and not harmful to health as a regular drink since it is very low in calories. However, if you are looking for coffee with more nutritional value, you can consider drinking a latte, cappuccino, etc. With the choices of plant-based milk these days, it is easy to get in your nutrition with any of this minus any kind of sugar.
Whether Black Coffee Helps in Weight Loss
Yes, the primary reason why many choose black coffee over any other drink is ‘weight loss’. That said, simply having black coffee does not promise weight loss. It is an all-around effort with a balanced diet and exercise. There is a reason why black coffee is a part of the diet plans as it does not add to calories and aligns well with other foods. For example, a cup of black coffee in the evening is a better choice than going for a shake loaded with calories.
Here is how black coffee aids in weight loss:
1. Black coffee essentially contains antioxidants and chlorogenic acid that help in your weight loss journey. This acid slows down the production of glucose in the body. Therefore, if consumed post a meal, your body will produce less fat cells and glucose.
2. Black coffee is a great pre-workout drink as it helps in boosting metabolism, so you can achieve better results from your workout.
3. Among the benefits of drinking black coffee for weight loss, the simple thing to understand is that it contains caffeine which increases energy level and stimulates metabolic activity, resulting in suppression of hunger.
Health Benefits of Black Coffee
Here are some of the major benefits of drinking black coffee and if you are a regular consumer, you’d love to know them all.
Improves Cardiovascular Health: Studies have shown that regular consumption of one or two cups of black coffee can reduce the risk of developing several cardiovascular diseases such as stroke. Black coffee also helps keep blood pressure levels in check. It can also help in reducing inflammation in the body.
Boosts Liver Health: Liver is one of the most important organs in the body. It processes the blood that passes through our stomach and intestines. Its essential function is to break it down, balance and create nutrients that are easy for the rest of the body to use. Studies have shown that people who drink black coffee on a regular basis have a slightly lower chance of developing liver disease. Consumption of black coffee has also been linked to the prevention of hepatitis, liver cancer, fatty liver disease and alcoholic cirrhosis.
Helps in Improving Memory: Black coffee is the go-to drink to increase mental alertness. The caffeine in it aids in clear thinking which is why many people like to consume it during meetings so they can stay focused. If you are sleep-deprived, you can reach out for a cup of black coffee. It also helps in reducing fatigue which is among the other black coffee benefits.
May Prevent Risk of Developing Cancer: Various studies have shown that black coffee can help in lowering the risk of developing some types of cancer such as rectal cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer, etc. It can help in the prevention of tumour development since it reduces inflammation in the body.
Helps in Cleansing Stomach
You would have noticed that each time you have black coffee, you urinate frequently. This is because black coffee is a diuretic beverage. Urination is an important function of our body through which we release toxins and bacteria from our stomach. Therefore, drinking black coffee benefits also extend to cleansing the stomach.
Rich in Antioxidants
Black coffee is very rich in antioxidants such as Vitamin B2, B3, B5, magnesium, potassium, and manganese.
Side Effects of Black Coffee
Everything is good only in moderation. While black coffee may be good for your health, there are also several side effects of black coffee:
Increase in Stress Levels: Too much coffee can lead to the release of stress hormones in high levels. This in turn leads to anxiety and stress. Excessive intake of black coffee can even make you feel jittery.
Interrupted Sleep: Excessive consumption of black coffee can give you disturbed nights and can interfere with your sleeping routine. Therefore, it is advised to avoid having coffee a few hours before your sleep time.
Acidity and Spasm: Black coffee has acid and caffeine which can further result into acidity. You might experience cramps and abdominal spasms because of it.
Difficult Absorption of Minerals: Excess intake of black coffee interferes with the absorption of minerals from your regular diet such as calcium, iron and zinc.
Be mindful of the amount of black coffee you consume on a daily basis.
How to make Black Coffee
Everyone makes black coffee in their own way. However, here are you few ways in which you can try making your cuppa for that perfect taste.
Many people love the smell of freshly ground coffee while others prefer using a coffee machine.
If you are one of those who like a delicate taste, then opt for grinding. You can use 3 tablespoons of coffee and grind them until the texture resembles that of sea salt. Boil 600 grams of water. Place a filter in the dripper and put ground coffee in it. Tap the surface in a gentle manner and pour it out in a cup. Your black coffee is ready to drink.
The other option is using a coffee machine which already has all the measurements in place.
How much Black Coffee should you drink in a day?
The caffeine content in black coffee can range from 50 mg to over 400 mg per cup. If we talk about a cup of coffee that is brewed at home, it provides around 50 mg of caffeine. A 240 ml cup of coffee gives about 100 mg of caffeine. For an adult, up to 400 mg of caffeine is safe to consume on a daily basis. That is equivalent to 4 cups of brewed coffee. However, you should also see how black coffee suits you individually. It is possible that you might be okay with just 2 or a single cup of black coffee per day.
It is important to understand that while there are black coffee benefits, there could be side effects as well when consumed in excess. It is great to be aware of what you put inside your body. Make your pick from many varieties that are out there and enjoy making your black coffee in the way you like and relish its taste.
FAQ
1. Is Black coffee good for health?
Yes, black coffee is good for health. It is a low-calorie drink that is very rich in antioxidants. It helps increase mental alertness.
2. Is black coffee good for weight loss?
Yes, it is an excellent weight loss drink. In fact, it is also touted as a fat-burning drink. Consumption of black coffee 30 minutes before exercise is a great way to squeeze in a good workout.
We recommend you to consult a medical expert to get expert advice on the benefits and side effects of drinking coffee