Is instant coffee harmful?

Coffee is one of the most popular drinks. The habit of brewing coffee beans, which not only bring pleasure, but also invigorate, has firmly entered our lives. But it is worth considering the choice of this product more carefully. The benefits and harms of instant coffee are the subject of frequent discussions, since it improves brain function, muscle tone, cleanses the body of toxins, but if abused, it negatively affects the work of the heart, urinary system, and impairs the quality of sleep.

What is instant coffee

Brewed coffee is made from coffee beans that are ground into a powder or small granules. The beans go through many processing stages so that they can be easily dissolved in boiling water and enjoy the coffee taste and aroma.

Types of instant coffee

Manufacturers offer the product in the form of:

• powder;
• granules;
• sublimated version.

Powder

The method of bringing the beans to a powdery state is the simplest and cheapest, therefore brewed coffee is the most affordable in terms of price and therefore popular. The technology consists in crushing raw grains into small granules. Then they are fried, treated with boiling water under high pressure, cooled and dried with a hot stream of air.

With this method of processing, grains lose many useful properties. For example, when exposed to high temperatures, chlorogenic acid, which is part of fresh coffee, decomposes. This substance activates fat burning, increases the elasticity of vascular cells, strengthens muscles and bones, and normalizes blood sugar levels.

Freeze-dried

Sublimation allows you to maximally preserve the beneficial properties of instant coffee and its taste. The coffee mass is removed from essential oils and left to freeze in vacuum at a temperature of -40 ^oC. The resulting infusion is converted into a dry powder under special conditions of freezing, which is then crushed. Such processing allows you to maximize the beneficial properties of the grains.

Granulated

Granular coffee looks like a mass of lumps. The finished powder is churned with steam into granules, which subsequently easily dissolve in boiling water and give the drink a rich color. With this technology, the maximum solubility of the granules is achieved, but the taste and useful properties suffer.

The chemical composition and calorie content of instant coffee

The coffee drink has an invigorating effect and has beneficial properties due to the following components (per 100 g of product):

With high-quality processing, coffee maximally retains the nutrients necessary for metabolic processes. Nicotinic acid (vitamin PP) lowers cholesterol levels, improves hair structure and metabolic processes in the body, increases vascular elasticity. Calcium and phosphorus are necessary to strengthen bones, sodium takes part in the blood exchange process.

Coffee is an irreplaceable aid in weight loss, as it promotes increased fat breakdown due to the caffeine content. The calorie content of 100 grams of soluble grains is approximately 119 kcal, natural - 201 kcal.

Is instant coffee good for you?

A hot drink tones the body and helps you feel energized in the morning. In addition, instant coffee has benefits for the human body:

• as a source of antioxidants;
• popular stimulant - due to the presence of caffeine;
• in reducing the likelihood of developing cancerous tumors - which ensures the presence of polyphenols;
• in preventing the development of diabetes;
• reducing the risk of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's diseases;
• increased sperm activity, improved erection - in men;
• accelerating metabolism;
• weight loss aid;
• brain stimulation - in moderation.

The harm of instant coffee

Regular consumption of coffee products in large quantities is harmful to the cardiovascular system. Instant coffee has the following negative properties:

• cause addiction;
• provoke the development of diseases of the digestive system (gastritis, digestive disorders);
• on an empty stomach, lead to intoxication;
• provoke dehydration - due to diuretic properties;
• affect the liver and pancreas - by the action of enzymes;
• harm the work of the heart;
• addictive.

Contraindications to the use of instant coffee

Given the fact that the composition of this invigorating instant drink is far from ideal, its use should be moderate.

Who is contraindicated in instant coffee:

1. Hypertensive patients and people with heart disease. Caffeine greatly increases blood pressure, promotes tachycardia. With frequent use, shortness of breath appears.
2. Pregnant women. Regarding the benefits and harms of instant coffee for women, the main thing should be noted: with the abuse of coffee mixtures during pregnancy, serious disturbances in the development of the fetus, and sometimes its fading, can occur. Subsequently, already born babies, various deviations of a neuralgic nature can be detected.
3. Men with hormonal disorders. The question of the benefits and harms of instant coffee for men is no less important, since coffee beans contain substances that are similar in nature to female hormones - estrogens. They are called "testosterone killers". Increased estrogen in men leads to an enlarged prostate and an increased risk of developing cancer of this gland, and as a result: a decrease in potency, loss of muscle tone, an increase in the size of the chest and abdomen. However, these negative properties are more often manifested with the abuse of custard coffee.
4. People with any kidney problems. Large consumption of instant coffee has a bad effect on kidney function and leads to the accumulation of stones in them.
5. To old people. Coffee products have a negative effect on the nervous system, which leads to serious sleep disturbance.
6. Children. Parents need to eliminate caffeine from their child's diet. Otherwise, the consequences in the form of aggression, excessive irritability, lethargy and depression cannot be avoided.

How to reduce the harm of instant coffee

You need to understand that instant coffee products belong to the freeze-dried group, which means that they contain harmful fatty acids and amino acids that increase the acidity of gastric juice. These ingredients can trigger bouts of heartburn. In addition, acid thinns tooth enamel and increases tooth sensitivity.

Following a few rules will help you get the most out of freeze-dried coffee and reduce harm:

1. It is necessary to carefully study the information about the manufacturer, the quality of roasting and raw materials. All this significantly affects the benefits of the drink. The appearance of the packaging is also important: it is better to give preference to hermetically sealed containers.
2. Adding milk. First, it helps to reduce acidity levels, which means it reduces the likelihood of heartburn. Secondly, milk perfectly neutralizes dyes, which negatively affect the tooth enamel, changing its color.
3. Do not exceed the daily allowance. For an adult, the permissible portion is 100-200 mg at a time, and no more than three servings per day.
   Important! The rate of consumed instant coffee is measured not in the number of cups drunk, but in their caffeine content. It is possible to reduce this content and improve the beneficial properties even with the correct preparation of the drink.
4. The health benefits of freeze-dried coffee will be greater if you drink the drink not on an empty stomach, but half an hour after a snack.
5. Preference should be given to a natural ground product or at least organic soluble.
6. You should not add various flavor enhancers, as well as spices. This can provoke unpleasant sensations of nausea, dizziness and general weakness.

Should I drink 3-in-1 coffee?

Such a mixture consists entirely of chemical compounds, the frequent use of which is harmful to the body and can lead to a number of serious diseases. Therefore, it is important to listen to yourself and carefully monitor the reactions of the body, which will indicate the benefits or harms of instant coffee "3 in 1".

Which instant coffee is better

Of the proposed variety of manufacturers, it is better to focus on the following brands offering the highest quality and most delicious instant coffee:

1. Madre labs Is a company with an innovative approach to the production of organic products, which is known for its careful quality control. It uses only environmentally friendly ingredients, while it has a democratic price.
2. Nescafe Is one of the most recognizable brands. Valued for a wide range of products, including products without caffeine. He is attentive to the taste of the final product.
3. Cafix - the best option for lovers of instant coffee. The range of products also includes caffeine substitutes made from natural ingredients that are identical in taste, beneficial properties and aroma of the usual coffee.
4. Longreen Corporation - the stake is made on the use of useful additives. Another bonus is the convenient packaging of some goods, which is indispensable when traveling.

Conclusion

We can say that the health benefits and harms of instant coffee are manifested in equal measure. If you follow the norm, your favorite drink will only bring pleasure. To reap the maximum benefits, you should give your body time to remove caffeine to help relieve the cardiovascular system.