For centuries, regular coffee has been the go-to drink for people to start their day. Whether it's hot coffee or iced coffee, coffee drinkers always crave a cup of their favorite brew. However, there's a new trend in the world of coffee: cold brew. While not as well-known as its hot counterparts, cold brew coffee is quickly becoming a popular choice for coffee lovers. But what is cold brew coffee, and what are the benefits? In this blog, we'll explore the health benefits of drinking cold brew coffee.
Reduced caffeine consumption: One of the primary benefits of drinking cold brew coffee is that it has less caffeine compared to regular hot coffee. This is a significant advantage for those who are sensitive to caffeine or are trying to reduce their daily caffeine intake.
The reason behind this decreased level of caffeine lies in two main factors - the extraction process and its resultant lower acidity. When brewing cold coffee, you steep grounds in room-temperature water over an extended period of time (usually 12 hours). This slow extraction process results in reduced levels of caffeine due to its limited interaction with water molecules unlike with hot-brewing techniques, where faster extraction often results in higher levels of caffeine. Additionally, since cold brew is not heated or exposed to high temperatures like hot-brewed coffees are, it doesn’t produce as much acid as traditional methods do. Therefore not as much acidic oils containing caffeine chemicals are extracted from the coffee beans during the brewing process resulting in less overall concentration of it than other forms.
The slower extraction rate combined with lower levels of acidity prevalent when cold brew coffee is produced lead to a cup that contains less amount of caffeine than what one would get from a regular hot brewed cup making it an ideal choice for those who consume their daily dose but want lesser content of stimulants such as caffeine while savoring great taste!
Lower blood pressure: Cold brew coffee is known to have a much lower caffeine levels compared to hot brew coffee. This makes it a healthier option for those who have issues with high blood pressure. Studies suggest that drinking cold brew coffee regularly can help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases caused due to high blood pressure.
Recent research has suggested that there may be a potential relationship between drinking hot brew coffee and high blood pressure. Whilst previous studies have linked the consumption of coffee to increased levels of adrenaline and cortisol, the results weren't always conclusive.
A study was conducted by The American Heart Association to evaluate the impact coffee had on their risk factors for high blood pressure. The study found that individuals who drank hot brewed coffee were associated with an 11% higher risk of developing hypertension compared to individuals who did not drink any coffee at all. Other forms of caffeine such as cold brew, tea and decaffeinated beverages were not associated with an elevated risk for hypertension.
It is important to note that further research must be conducted in order to understand why this association exists between the two variables, although it appears from these results that consuming hot-brewed coffee can contribute towards having higher blood pressure levels in some individuals. For those looking to reduce or manage their level of hypertension it's recommended they look into other types of beverages, such as decaffeinated coffees or teas, which do not seem to carry an elevated risk like hot brew does according to this report's findings.
Stable blood sugar: Drinking cold brew coffee regularly may help to stabilize blood sugar levels, which is good news for those who have diabetes or are pre-diabetic. A study found that cold brew coffee significantly reduced the blood sugar levels of rats with diabetes regulation and kept them stable for days compared to hot coffee.
Regular consumption of cold brew coffee has been shown to potentially help stabilize blood sugar levels due to its low acidity when compared to traditional hot brewed coffee. A study conducted on diabetics showed that a single cup of cold brew could lower their postprandial (after meal) glucose spikes by up to 12%.
The main reason behind this effect lies in the unique brewing method used for cold brew: instead of immersing and exposing the grounds to hot water, they are steeped in cold, filtered water over an extended period. This creates a smoother drink, but also slows down the release of organic compounds like chlorogenic acid which have been found to have anti-diabetic properties and even contribute towards weight loss. Chlorogenic acid has been studied extensively in research and has demonstrated an ability not only reduce glucose absorption from meals but also stimulate glucose metabolism within cells which further helps regulate glucose levels before and after meals.
Better digestion: Cold brew coffee is much less likely to cause stomach acidity, one of the most common problems faced by those who drink coffee regularly. As cold brew coffee involves steeping coffee grounds in cold water, it generally contains lower acidity and is gentler on the digestive system and may be a better option for those who suffer from acid reflux symptoms.
Bottom Line:
While coffee in a hot or iced form is still the preferred choice for many, drinking cold brew coffee could have a range of health benefits. From lowering caffeine consumption and blood pressure to stabilizing blood sugar levels and aiding digestion, it's clear that cold brew consumption is the healthier option. So, next time you're in the mood for an iced coffee, give cold brew a try and experience the benefits for yourself. With so many health benefits, it's not surprising that cold brew coffee is quickly becoming a favorite choice for coffee lovers worldwide.
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