Coffee is a tonic drink that is loved all over the world. After many years of controversy, scientists have come to the conclusion that coffee is good for the body if drunk in moderation, given the contraindications for certain diseases. Studies have shown that green beans do not have the same taste and aroma as roasted beans, but raw coffee contains more vitamins and nutrients in percentage terms.
Useful substances and vitamins contained in coffee beans:
- vitamin C;
- vitamin PP;
- lipids (fats);
- carbohydrates;
- proteins;
- tannin;
- caffeine;
- chlorogenic acid;
- organic acids;
- essential oils;
- alkaloid trigonelline;
- cafeole;
- potassium;
- sodium;
- calcium;
- iron;
- phosphorus;
- sulfur;
- magnesium;
- amino acids;
- cellulose;
- coffee oil;
- phenolic compounds;
- theofelline.
History of the origin and production of coffee
There is information that the drink in the form of a decoction was first made from the shell of the fruit of the coffee tree, which grew in Ethiopia. But it didn't taste good. There is a legend that the coffee tree was discovered by the shepherd Kaldi, who noticed that his goats, eating the red fruits and shiny leaves of the coffee tree, became vigorous and playful. He made a decoction of fruits and leaves, but the drink was disgusting. The shepherd spat out the broth in his hearts and threw the remaining branches into the fire. And then he felt an amazing aroma emanating from the fire. The shepherd shared his find with the abbot of the monastery, who was nearby. Gradually, the monks began to cleanse the grains and roast them.
Miraculous trees began to be grown on the territory of the Arabian Peninsula, then they were secretly taken to the islands of Java and Sumatra. The first coffee shop was opened in Turkey in the 15th century. Then they learned about the great drink in Europe. First, coffee began to be produced in Austria, later it got to France, Italy and Russia.
Since the 18th century, coffee has been grown on plantations in Central and South America, Brazil, Jamaica and Cuba. Currently, coffee is also cultivated and produced in Vietnam, Ethiopia, Ceylon, India, Mexico and other countries with a warm climate, but Brazil and Colombia are considered the largest suppliers of the product. There are many different types of coffee, Robusta and Arabica varieties are of industrial importance.
Robusta contains much more caffeine, the taste of this coffee is tart and bitter, Arabica has a delicate aroma and pleasant taste.
Useful properties of coffee
Coffee is prepared in different ways, for this there are coffee machines, coffee grinders, coffee makers. There are many recipes for making coffee, as well as for coffee drinkers. In any cafe, visitors will be offered a cup of aromatic coffee to choose from: black, with milk, "cappuccino" or "Americano".
If you don't have ground coffee at home, you can use instant coffee. Sometimes manufacturers add a little ground to instant coffee. The most useful is coffee beans, ground before use and cooked in a Turk.
Although many people start the day with a morning cup of coffee, it is considered beneficial to drink it half an hour after eating, then it will have the right effect on the body.
Coffee invigorates, has a good effect on blood vessels, brain and memory, increases efficiency. This drink is low-calorie. If drunk without milk and sugar, it helps to get rid of excess body fat, but, of course, not immediately, and in combination with fitness classes, walking or jogging.
It is believed that coffee is energizing, that it should not be drunk shortly before bedtime, but for some people, coffee has a soporific effect. Apparently, it affects different organisms in different ways.
Coffee stimulates the nervous system, improves mood, helps with migraines, relieves stress and relieves fatigue.
Ground coffee makes excellent toning face masks and body scrubs. There are many recipes for scrubs and skin wraps. They are obtained by mixing ground coffee with sour cream, or honey.
You can stir 200 g of ground coffee with 500 ml of hot water, allow to cool until warm, then apply this mixture on the body, cover with plastic and keep for 20 minutes. Then wash off the cocoa layer. If you do such procedures for a long time, you can get rid of cellulite.
Coffee has antioxidant properties, like green tea and fruit juices, and it slows down the aging of cells and also prevents the formation of cancerous tumors. The antibacterial properties of coffee prevent tooth decay and throat ailments, removes fluid from the body and stimulates digestive processes, has a diuretic effect and is a mild laxative.
Contraindications to drinking coffee
Coffee invigorates and increases the tone of hypotonic patients, but is contraindicated in hypertension. Also, coffee is not recommended to drink with increased eye pressure, with strong arousal.
The coffee drink is harmful in the presence of stomach and duodenal ulcers, renal failure, gastritis, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, osteoporosis. It should not be consumed by pregnant and lactating women.
