Why has the question of whether coffee is healthy not been answered yet?

Conflicting information about the properties of coffee has been appearing since the stimulating drink appeared in Europe, i.e. since the 16th century - it is therefore an issue that has been arousing interest for centuries, and the intensive development of science, instead of solving the problem, complicates the answer to the question of whether coffee is healthy .

Doubts about the effects of coffee and its impact on the human body stem, among other things, from the varying processing methods used to process the beans . This results in coffees with varying caffeine and nutrient levels, which cannot be assessed equally. Therefore, in today's post , we examine whether drinking coffee is healthy.

Coffee before people started wondering if it was healthy...

The first reliable sources on coffee come from Yemen and date back to the 15th century. However, back then, there was no question of whether coffee was healthy , as the very concept of health was understood differently than today. The coffee bean may have been controversial, but it should be viewed more as myth and belief than objective knowledge, as the average person in the 15th century didn't use medical terms. Furthermore, centuries ago , coffee was used not only for drinking but also as an element of religious rituals , which indicates that it had a somewhat different status than it does today in Western countries.

In Europe, coffee was initially considered a satanic beverage, but a similar fate befell other "new" products, arriving primarily from the Americas. Potatoes were considered poisonous until almost the end of the 18th century, and tomatoes were cultivated solely for aesthetic reasons, fearing harmful effects. Today , when we ask whether drinking coffee is healthy, we expect an answer based on scientific data , not fears stemming from unfamiliarity with the plant.

Is coffee healthy – caffeine and nutritional values?

The reason for coffee's popularity is caffeine – an organic chemical compound with a stimulating effect that plants use as a natural pesticide. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, improving concentration and well-being, as well as reducing fatigue and drowsiness. However, the effect is short-lived, which explains why we so eagerly reach for another cup of coffee. Caffeine also constricts cerebral vessels, thus helping to alleviate migraine symptoms – it's not without reason that it's one of the ingredients in painkillers. Despite this, the question of whether coffee is unhealthy is frequently raised. Why? For years, reports have been circulating that caffeine raises blood pressure, leading to the development of hypertension – however, this has not yet been conclusively confirmed. Officially, however, a moderate dose of caffeine, i.e., 300 mg per day, is considered harmless.

Coffee also contains polyphenols (including caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, and ferulic acid), natural antioxidants that protect the body from free radicals. However, the darker the roast, the lower the antioxidant content. So, is coffee healthy or not? In essence, coffee contains little vitamins and minerals—a cup of black coffee contains limited amounts of B vitamins, magnesium, potassium, and zinc. At the same time, coffee is practically calorie-free , meaning that, at least theoretically, dieters can safely consume it.

Standard vs. decaf coffee

The question of whether coffee is healthy for the body is a recurring one due to its caffeine content. Although it's a socially acceptable drug, it raises concerns – it can be addictive just like other stimulants. This is confirmed by the American Psychiatric Association, which has included caffeine overdose symptoms and withdrawal syndrome in its common classification of mental disorders. At the same time, research indicates that caffeine reduces the risk of Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers ( source ). Decaffeinated coffee is also available on the market, but unfortunately, it's not always as high quality as specialty coffee. Let's try to answer the question of whether decaffeinated coffee is healthy or harmful.

• Decaffeinated coffee contains caffeine – although only a small amount, but people who are allergic to caffeine will not find it a solution to their allergy problem.
• The lack of caffeine in coffee makes it recommended for people with sleep disorders, pregnant women, people struggling with hypertension and stomach hypersensitivity.
• The answer to the question of whether drinking decaf coffee is healthy will vary depending on your caffeine tolerance level and how it is produced.

It's the production of decaffeinated coffee that raises the greatest doubts – the first attempts at decaffeination took place over 100 years ago and resulted in the use of benzene, a powerful solvent and natural component of petroleum. Recognized as a carcinogen by the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), it is a substance highly toxic to the human body. While benzene is currently prohibited , doubts surrounding the decaffeination process remain. Decaffeinated coffee, on the other hand, is produced using four caffeine extraction methods performed on green beans:

• use of organic solvents,
• soaking the beans in water until the caffeine is completely washed out,
• supercritical carbon dioxide (between the liquid and gaseous states),
• genetic modification.

The final quality of decaffeinated coffee depends on the processing method and the beans used – older and unselected beans negatively impact the flavor. A major problem is the lack of transparency from producers, which often makes it difficult to independently determine whether decaffeinated coffee is healthy or not. Does this mean that caffeinated coffee is a better option? Currently, there are high-quality products available on the market that have undergone the decaffeination process without compromising their quality – but they are still rare.

Bean, instant, cereal – what is the difference between coffee and coffee?

The favorite method of brewing coffee for Poles is zalewajka , a blend of ground coffee poured with boiling water directly into the cup. Is drinking this type of coffee healthy ? Not necessarily. The prolonged contact of the grounds with the brew causes more fat-soluble compounds to appear, and along with them, coffee bean particles are consumed, which not only irritates the digestive system but also raises blood cholesterol levels. What is the situation with other coffees consumed in Poland?

Instant coffee

The consumption of instant coffee became widespread at the beginning of the 20th century , when Brazil was unable to cope with its surplus of coffee production. The Sao Paulo Coffee Institute approached the Swiss company Nestle with a request to develop a method for long-term coffee storage. The Swiss chemists' success coincided with the outbreak of World War II, and Nescafé instant coffee became an object of desire among Europeans. Is instant coffee unhealthy ? It's true that it's a coffee bean extract, but it's made from beans of questionable quality. However, that's not the problem – instant coffee is often available in 3-in-1 packages, which contain up to 50% sugar and twice the acrylamide content of whole coffee beans. It's not definitively true that instant coffee is unhealthy (source: Damian Parol ), but products containing sugar or cream should certainly be avoided.

Cereal coffee

What does whole bean coffee have in common with grain coffee? First and foremost, the name – the brew isn't made from coffee beans, but rather from roasted grains of popular cereals (rye, wheat, barley), as well as chicory or sugar beet. Is grain coffee healthy ? It contains a decent amount of fiber in an easily digestible form, which not only aids digestion but also provides a feeling of fullness. It's also a source of numerous minerals and B vitamins, but it has a relatively high glycemic index, making it unsuitable for people struggling with diabetes or celiac disease. Grain coffee can be safely consumed by pregnant women , breastfeeding mothers, and children, as it contains no caffeine.

Capsule coffee

Coffee in capsules is brewed under pressure, which theoretically ensures the highest antioxidant content possible. Theoretically, because capsule coffee is ground, which causes rapid oxidation of its ingredients . However, it's difficult to consider this an unhealthy solution, and capsule coffee machines are certainly not very functional – they only fit capsules from a single manufacturer, which can be more expensive than the product offered by a reputable coffee roaster . Also questionable is the fact that this product is often heavily processed – enriched with flavor enhancers and artificial crema- forming substances.

Coffee – healthy or harmful?

Regular consumption of high-quality coffee beans, especially specialty coffee, not only provides energy but also reduces the risk of developing certain lifestyle diseases. To reap the health benefits of coffee, it's essential to brew it properly (pressure or pour-over), use a product from a trusted source, and avoid additives such as sugar or cream.

The current third coffee wave is promoting the benefits of coffee – although scientists continue to provide conflicting data, there is no evidence to prove that coffee is unhealthy or healthy . One thing is certain, however: the more processed a product, the less transparent its production method and composition, and therefore its health benefits. By using freshly roasted coffee beans from a craft roaster, you have the best chance of enjoying a pure and natural product.