Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world, second only to tea. This invigorating drink has both a number of advantages and some disadvantages.
The benefits and dangers of coffee
If you are a fan of this drink, pay attention to insoluble coffee, which is much healthier than instant coffee. For example, insoluble brewed coffee contains a large amount of acids that prevent the development of cancer. Fans of instant coffee are four times more likely to have breast or prostate cancer than people who regularly drink coffee.
Coffee contains a fairly large amount of caffeine, which is known to help boost brain activity. However, this is also a danger, since constant artificial stimulation of the nervous system can cause its depletion. By the way, that is why it is better to drink high-quality boiled coffee, since the caffeine content in it is several times lower than in instant coffee. You should not drink more than two or three cups a day, and it is advisable to supplement coffee with milk. The fact is that coffee contains oxalic acid, which helps to wash out calcium from the body, so it is necessary to compensate for the deficiency of this mineral in order not to develop problems with bones and teeth. In addition, oxalic acid can cause the formation of oxolates, which are deposited in the kidneys in the form of stones. By the way, it should be borne in mind that coffee contains a significant amount of tannin acid, which seriously irritates the mucous membranes of the stomach, so that if you are overly addicted to coffee, you may have digestive problems. Milk partially neutralizes the negative effects of tannin, so it is best to drink coffee with it.
Choice and use
The most healthy coffee is coffee beans. Freshly ground coffee also has an unsurpassed aroma. When buying coffee, pay attention to the appearance of the beans, the fresh ones are quite shiny, and the old ones have a matte shade.
Recent studies by American scientists have shown that coffee does not contribute to the development of hypertension and does not affect the work of the heart, although earlier doctors argued that coffee can provoke diseases of the cardiovascular system. Hypertensive patients should limit the use of this drink, since it can slightly increase blood pressure, but too low blood pressure in coffee hypotensive patients can return to normal.
Keep in mind that the invigorating effect of the drink disappears within fifteen minutes after drinking it, so it is better to sip coffee a little during the day to stay awake.