Coffee is one of the most controversial beverages out there.
Some swear by it, and others say you should avoid it in the name of health.
So, whos right?
Is black coffee good for you or not?
We dug into the science and spoke to experts to get the answer.
But it can have positive effects on your health beyond that, too.
Coffee is one of themost significant sources of polyphenols2and phenolic acids in the developed world.
Polyphenols act as antioxidants to protect your body from oxidative stress.
It was also shown to improve overall cognition and mood at around 150 milligrams of caffeine.
(Interestingly, this effect seems to bemore pronounced in men5.)
These effects are due to the fact that coffee acts as anadenosine receptor antagonist6.
To put it plainly: Adenosine is a neurotransmitter that makes us feel sleepy.
Caffeinealsoenhances dopamine signaling9in the brain, further improving mood.
It may benefit heart health
Coffee is considered cardioprotective too.
Habitual coffee drinking has also been shown to reduce other risk factors of heart disease, liketype 2 diabetes11andobesity12.
It may improve gut health
As you might already know,coffee can make you poop.
This can be good news for those who deal with constipation andneed help getting things moving.
But coffee also appears to have some positive effects on your gut microbiome, too.
It may also helpprotect the mucosal lining15of your digestive tract.
explains on themindbodygreen podcast.
Coffee alsostimulates the secretion of stomach acid17and other gastric juices like bile.
This plays a role in balancing gut microbes, and it can reduce the risk of gallstones.
Caffeine also seems to haveperformance-enhancing effects21, which is why many people take it as a pre-workout supplement.
It delays fatigue and triggers alertness, which can make it easier for you to get through your workouts.
Even just one cup a day can lower your risk by9%, says Greenleaf.
While the science isnt totally settled on how coffee can reduce diabetes risk, researchers have some ideas.
Yes, black coffee is overall very good for youeven with these potential downsides.
Keep in mind, were specifically talking about black coffee here.
Putting too many additives in your coffee can also lead tounwanted weight gain.
Drip coffee, percolators, and a French press all fall into this category.
Brewed coffee has about92 milligrams30of caffeine per 8-ounce cup.
Espresso:
Espresso is made by forcing hot water through a compressed puck of coffee beans using high pressure.
The result is a much more concentrated coffee that contains62 milligrams31of caffeine per ounce.
Because of this, some cold brews can have almost 200 milligrams of caffeine or more per 8-ounce cup.
Decaf coffee has about2.5 milligrams32of caffeine per 8-ounce cup.
Don’t like black coffee?
If you need a pick-me-up right when you wake up, drinking it in the morning can be beneficial.
Otherwise, it has the potential to disrupt your sleep.
FAQ
Is it healthy to drink black coffee everyday?
Yes, its absolutely fine to drink black coffee every day.
Can black coffee reduce belly fat?
There havent been a lot of studies done on this directly, but the short answer is: maybe.
In theory, drinking black coffee may assist in reducing belly fat.
How often should I drink black coffee?
Its up to you.
