Overview
Many of us love how after taking just a sip of our favorite beverage we feel so energized and refreshing. And, black coffee is one such beverage. A cup of black coffee is the best way to get ready for the day. It is full of nutrients and anti-oxidants and if consumed in the right manner it can work like magic.
But do you know how black coffee affects our body and brain? Or, when can it harm our body?
Black coffee is brewed without any additives and has a higher amount of caffeine as compared to other types of coffee. It is slightly bitter in taste. It has a high amount of chlorogenic acid and anti-oxidants. It has many benefits and can also have some side effects. If you love black coffee, here’s what you need to know about your favorite beverage:
Health Benefits of Black Coffee: Why is it Good for your Health?
1. Boosts energy
Drinking black coffee leads to adrenaline rush in our blood, which prepares our body for any intense work. It boosts the energy level if consumed just before the workout and helps the body to give its 100%. It also breaks down body fat, which works like a fuel for our body.
Gym trainers usually advise you to drink black coffee before working out so that you can burn some extra calories.
2. Prevents our liver from diseases
Black coffee lowers the production of enzymes that can harm our liver. Black coffee prevents our liver from diseases like liver cancer, fatty liver, hepatitis, and also reduces inflammation caused by alcohol. People who drink 5-6 cups of coffee have fewer chances to develop liver
diseases.
3. Makes us smarter
The black coffee increases the release of dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that tends to increase our IQ level. It makes us feel more focused and improve the concentration level. It makes us more productive at work and makes us intelligent in a long-lasting way.
It also reduces the risk of diseases like Dementia, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s and makes our memory sharper.
4. Helps in weight loss
Black coffee is the best weight loss substitute. It increases the fat burning rate in our body and has a negligible amount of calories. It is also known as ‘zero-calorie drink’. By having black coffee with sugar, milk, or any other additives, you can increase the calories equivalent to that in a slice of cake.
Black coffee also suppresses our appetite and makes us feel full all day. It also reduces the bloating in our body by reducing the water retention level. The antioxidants present in black coffee also help in losing weight.
Also Read: Black Coffee For Fast Weight Loss: Does It Really Work?
5. Diuretic drink
Black coffee can work as a detoxifier and cleanse our stomach by removing unwanted bacteria and toxins through frequent urination. It is a diuretic drink which also reduces bloating and puffiness by eliminating extra water from our body.
6. Good for diabetic patients
Black coffee has chlorogenic acid which reduces glucose production and manages insulin levels in our body, which reduces the risk for diabetes. It is noted that the risk of developing type-2 diabetes is about 30% lower in black coffee drinkers than non-black coffee drinkers.
7. Powerhouse of antioxidants
Black coffee is full of antioxidants which are really helpful for our body. The antioxidants present in black coffee fight the radicals and reduce the risk of several diseases. These antioxidants prevent the formation of unwanted cells that can increase the risk of cancer.
8. Good for heart
Intake of black coffee reduces the risk of heart stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. It regulates blood pressure and prevents heart muscles from damage. It also reduces the inflammation in our bodies.
9. Reduces stress and depression
A cup of black coffee can instantly enhance your mood and make you feel better. Many people depend upon black coffee to fight tension and work stress. It stimulates the central nervous system and produces the neurotransmitters that affect our mood immediately.
10. Prevents gout
Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that affects our joints; it is caused by excess production of uric acid in our body. Black coffee lowers the production of uric acid through several mechanisms and increases the rate of excretion from our body, which lowers the risk of gout.
Side Effects of Black Coffee: Why is it Bad for your Health?
Black coffee does feel like drink from heaven but it can have a negative impact on our health if not consumed in a limit. The intake of coffee can be highly variable from 50 mg – 400 mg per cup, it is suggested not to drink more than 400 mg of coffee in a day. The overdose of black coffee can lead to the following side effects on our body-
1. Triggers anxiety
Consuming an excess of caffeine can trigger anxiety and make us irritable and jittery. Drinking a lot of black coffee leads to the release of stress hormones that will make it hard to remain calm.
2. Disrupts sleeping schedule
Overdose of black coffee can lead to insomnia as it makes our mind more alert and affects sleep quality. Just after drinking black coffee or drinking too much coffee in a day makes us unable to sleep.
Also Read: Dangerous Side Effects Of Coffee: Why You Shouldn’t Be Drinking Too Much Coffee?
3. Leads to acidity
Black coffee is rich in acid, which harms the lining of our stomach and small intestine. It can lead to abdomen cramps and spasms. Excess intake of black coffee can lead to acidity.
Also, the intake of black coffee empty stomach can really cause discomfort in the gastrointestinal tract and increase the production of hydrochloric acid. This can also lead to heartburn, indigestion, and stomach ulcers.
4. Impacts the absorption of minerals
A high amount of caffeine present in black coffee reduces the absorption of minerals and increases the excretion. This can be really harmful to our bodies. Black coffee can reduce iron absorption by almost 60-90% in our body, which can lead to iron deficiency. It also impacts
the absorption of calcium and zinc.
Also Read: What Is Green Coffee? How Is It Better Than Normal Coffee For Weight Loss?
5. Can cause dehydration
It is a diuretic drink, which increases the excretion of water and excess consumption of black coffee can lead to dehydration. It increases the loss of fluid from the bodies. It also makes us stay awake and this leads to a vicious dehydration cycle that makes us feel tired and fatigue. All these side effects can also lead to weight gain.
Also Read: Coffee: Is It Good For Health? Or Is It Bad For Health?
The Bottom Line:
As too much of everything is bad, coffee is no exception. Like so many foods and nutrients, too much of black coffee can be bad for health too. The intake of coffee can be highly variable from 50 mg – 400 mg per cup, it is suggested not to drink more than 400 mg of coffee in a day. As everyone has their own tolerance level, please make sure that you are drinking within the limits. As drinking black coffee could protect your future self from various unknown health issues, so, make sure, you drink it but in moderation.