Coffee is the second most traded product in the world (the first is oil and refined products). We drink it while working, going out with friends, and even betting at 20Bet. But many people don’t know anything about it except its delightful aroma and invigorating effect.
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10 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know
- Coffee beans are the kernels of juicy red berries that grow on the “coffee cherry” tree. The flesh of these berries tastes similar to a peach.
- Several centuries ago, in Arab countries, the groom was obliged not only to support his wife but also to provide her with coffee. If such a promise was not kept, it could be grounds for a legal divorce.
- Espresso has less caffeine than a conventionally brewed beverage. When espresso is brewed, a high-pressure jet of water is forced through the coffee. This reduces the level of caffeine in the drink, unlike if the powder were poured over boiling water.
- Natural coffee contains the strongest antioxidants, which are 500 times stronger than vitamin C in their effect on the body. But they are partially blocked by melanoidins, the substances that give the beans their dark color when roasted. There is such a method of roasting as “torrefacto,” when coffee is thermally processed in sugar. In this case, the beverage contains much more useful substances.
- The antioxidants contained in the drink are eliminated from the body for about a month. During this time, the substances fight free radicals.
- The effect of coffee on the body isn’t always the same. It cannot only invigorate but also cause drowsiness. Some people drink coffee at bedtime to fall asleep faster.
- A lethal dose of caffeine is contained in 100 cups.
- Coffee contains no calories, reduces appetite, and speeds up metabolic processes in the body. It’s popular with those who wish to reduce weight.
- In some cases, the remains of coffee berries are used to prepare flour. Products based on it have a citrus, berry, or floral flavor.
- Kopi Luwak is coffee made from the excrement of the Asian palm civet. This animal likes to eat coffee berries, and the processed beans are then used to make the beverage. This coffee is the most expensive on the planet: 500 grams cost about $700.
Negative Facts to Consider
Although coffee contains hundreds of antioxidants that remove toxins from the body, this beverage can be harmful. Before brewing a cup of tonic coffee, consider this:
- Caffeine stimulates the cardiovascular system. The beverage can be dangerous for those with health problems: it raises blood pressure and increases heart rate.
- Frequent coffee consumption can lead to stress. The drink stimulates the nervous system, which, over time, exhausts the body.
- Coffee negatively affects the intestinal microflora, washes out beneficial bacteria and a lot of trace elements: potassium, magnesium, calcium, and B vitamins.
- The drink is addictive; over time, there are symptoms such as fatigue, lethargy, drowsiness, and depression. But with regular use, the drink no longer has a tonic effect.
What Can Be Substituted for Coffee
You don’t have to resort to ground or instant coffee to perk yourself up. You can try the following alternatives.
Matcha
This is Japanese powdered green tea. It contains 3 times more antioxidants than regular loose leaf tea and 2 times less caffeine than coffee. At the same time, it’s perfectly invigorating but doesn’t exhaust the body. This drink normalizes blood pressure, reduces cholesterol, and helps fight free radicals.
Don’t drink more than 2-3 cups of tea per day. Overdose can cause tachycardia, overexcitement, high blood pressure, dehydration, and tremors of the limbs.
Citrus Juice
It’s a treasure trove of vitamins that instantly energize the body. The juice will make up for the lack of vitamins and microelements. If it’s impossible to buy freshly squeezed juice, you can simply drink water with lemon. But don’t do this on an empty stomach: citrus fruits increase stomach acidity.
Ginger Tea
Ginger root contains a lot of vitamins and microelements. Tea based on it not only perfectly invigorates but also increases immunity. Adding lemon and honey to the drink improves its beneficial properties. Ginger tones, thinning the blood, warms, normalizes digestion, and cleanses the body of toxins.
