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Instant coffee: benefits and harms. Instant coffee: benefit or harm Why instant coffee is harmful

Instant coffee is not inferior in popularity to the grain version. Many prefer it because of its convenient and quick preparation. A huge part of coffee sales in the world is instant coffee? Since its invention, it has won the hearts of many admirers. And in the days of the Soviet Union, not everyone managed to acquire the coveted jar of instant coffee. It has become scarce. Now we can buy it in any store. Recently, instant coffee is no longer perceived as a full-fledged coffee. They began to scold him for his inexpressive taste and aroma, there was information that he could harm. But still, millions cannot do without it. So what is the harm of instant coffee, and how can it be useful? In fact, if you drink instant coffee, the benefits and harms will be combined in the drink.

A bit of the history of instant coffee

There are several versions of the appearance of instant coffee.

  • Version one. This is the invention of an American chemist with Japanese roots, Satori Kato. There is no exact date for the appearance of this popular invention. According to historians, it could be 1899 or 1901. It is curious that at first Kato came up with instant tea, but it did not become so popular. Soon the inventor suggested using the same technology to produce coffee. It was a truly historic decision. The drink turned out so successful that it soon began to be produced on an industrial scale. By the way, during the First and Second World Wars, it was instant coffee that was included in the mandatory rations of soldiers. He replaced the grain version of coffee, as it was extremely inappropriate in field conditions. But instant coffee, as it turned out, was easy enough to get. The technological process was quickly mastered by many manufacturing companies. After the Second World War, instant coffee quickly entered civilian life.
  • Version two. There is an assumption that the Englishman, chemist George Constant Washington became the inventor of instant coffee. According to this version, George invented the method of making instant coffee by accident. He and his wife were in a coffee shop and enjoyed fragrant fresh coffee. George suddenly noticed that there were barely noticeable dust particles on the silver coffee spoon. It suddenly dawned on him that it was possible to produce coffee that would simply dissolve in water. In 1906, after a series of experiments, the scientist nevertheless brought his idea to life. The drink turned out to be quite tasty and fragrant, so after three years it was put into production.
  • Version three. This is the official version. According to her, the merit of the appearance of instant coffee belongs to the Swiss chemist Max Morgenstaller. Initially, this scientist was simply conducting scientific experiments. He wanted to test the version that coffee is able to half dissolve in water. The result of these experiments was a new type of coffee - instant coffee. In the homeland of coffee, in Brazil, they could not get enough of the generous harvest of precious grains. But there were so many of them that there were large surpluses. They had to be saved somehow. And then Max Morgenstaller proposed to produce instant coffee from them. This happened in 1938, on July 24th. It was on this day that they began to celebrate Instant Coffee Day.

What is it made from

The fact is that the benefits and harms of instant coffee are directly related to the technological process of its manufacture. Instant coffee is produced from beans that are ground, and then the extraction method is used. But did you know that the most popular and high-quality variety, Arabica, is not used for the production of this species? It is used to produce ground coffee. But for the soluble species, they take the Robusta variety. It's cheaper, but stronger. It is an excellent raw material for industrial processing.

Now instant coffee is produced in three ways:

  1. The first way is coffee powder. The easiest option. Instant coffee powder is produced. The grains are first roasted, ground, and then dried and sprayed. The grains are affected by hot water, which is supplied under high pressure. Soluble substances are extracted from the coffee powder, and a strong coffee infusion is obtained. Then this infusion is filtered and sprayed in special chambers. On the fly, the drops of the extract coagulate, dry quickly and turn into a fine powder.
  2. The second way is coffee in granules. Granulated coffee is much more expensive, but at the same time, its taste and aroma are almost the same as those of powder coffee. Get it in the same way as the powder. But then the process has a continuation. To obtain granules, the powder is re-processed with hot steam. Then it is knocked down into small dense lumps - granules. The cost of this type of coffee rises precisely because of the additional steps in the technological process. In addition, the experts came to the conclusion that the additional temperature effect negatively affects the taste and aroma of coffee granules. In addition, it loses most of its useful qualities. In order to somehow compensate for these shortcomings, manufacturers add coffee oil and flavors to their product.
  3. The third way. Sublimation. It is the most modern. It was opened in 1965. Now it is freeze-dried coffee that is considered the highest quality instant coffee. The beans are roasted to make a strong coffee infusion. Then it is frozen, the ice evaporates, and the coffee crystals are dried under vacuum. At the same time, not only the taste, color and aroma of coffee are preserved, but also its beneficial properties.

How to choose quality instant coffee

Instant coffee, in which harm and benefit are inextricably combined, must be chosen correctly. If you want to buy really good quality instant coffee, don't go cheap. The cheaper the product, the more it will contain all kinds of additives. To make your product cheaper, dyes, flavors, chicory or barley are added to it. But expensive instant coffee is produced quite conscientiously. However, flavors are added to it. Do not believe the inscription, which says that the jar contains 100% coffee. Do not be surprised, but the share of coffee in the total mass is no more than 15%.

The highest quality coffee is insoluble. It does contain trace elements, vitamins and antioxidants. Such a drink is able to cheer up, it stimulates the production of serotonin (it is also called the "hormone of happiness"). Quality coffee can even extend life, scientists have found. Fans of this drink are less susceptible to stress, depression, it even helps to fight overweight. But in order for coffee to help cope with extra pounds, you can’t add anything to it, not even sugar. You need to drink only black natural coffee. It contains only 3 calories. If you drink it before a workout or other physical activity, fat will be burned better. But in order to restore strength, nutritionists recommend drinking coffee with the addition of milk or cream.

As you can see, the benefits of coffee are undeniable. But instant coffee will be useful only if you have chosen a really high-quality product. But how to choose high-quality instant coffee? Checking the quality of the purchased product is quite simple. Prepare some drink and drop regular iodine into it (just a few drops). If there are impurities and all kinds of additives in coffee, it will quickly turn blue. If the drink has not changed its shade, then you are lucky and you bought a quality product.

Instant coffee: benefits and harms

From the moment instant coffee was introduced, all sorts of rumors began to circulate about it. There was an opinion that the instant version of coffee can harm the body. Others, on the contrary, believed that it could only bring benefits. Now it has become a popular opinion that there are significantly fewer useful substances in instant coffee than in grain form. As coffee is exposed to high temperatures during the manufacturing process, it loses most of its aromatic oils. Because of this, instant coffee becomes non-aromatic, and its taste becomes inexpressive. To fix this, manufacturers add flavors and flavor enhancers to their product. These additives bring the taste characteristics closer to regular coffee beans. Is this opinion really correct? How harmful is instant coffee? Can it be useful?

Which coffee is better to choose - instant or ground

To understand the difference between instant and ground coffee, you need to understand how they are produced. Ground coffee is the result of grinding roasted coffee beans. This is the most common option. This coffee is very easy to prepare - you need to roast the grains, grind, and then brew coffee from the resulting coffee powder.

Instant coffee is obtained as a result of the following technological process. First, the grains are also roasted and ground. This is how coffee extract is obtained. Then the powder is dried. Two methods are used for this - water is frozen in it or it is exposed to hot air. The result is a completely natural product. The choice of drying method does not affect its quality in any way.

We must understand and come to terms with the fact that instant coffee has gained its colossal worldwide popularity not at all due to some amazing taste or amazing aroma. First of all, it is appreciated for its convenient way of brewing. It is not always possible to brew coffee. And then the soluble option comes to the rescue. To prepare it, you do not need to stand at the stove or use a coffee machine. You just need to fill it with hot water. True connoisseurs of a fragrant drink have long understood that instant coffee is seriously inferior to fresh, ground beans. The taste of the drink from grains is much softer and more pleasant. In addition, it retains more useful substances. It is coffee beans that gives a charge of vivacity, stimulates the work of the brain and central nervous system, as well as cardiac activity. The soluble analogue is noticeably inferior in these indicators.

Now let's dwell on the opinion that flavors, preservatives and dyes are used in instant coffee. In fact, it is not always possible to find them there. Responsible world-famous coffee producers will not use these substances. They are applied only if the technological process has been violated. Therefore, it is better to choose a product from large well-known companies. Owners of well-known world brands can vouch for the quality of their products.

Instant coffee: harm

Diuretic effect

Opponents of coffee and nutritionists emphasize that coffee can have a diuretic effect, that is, it has a diuretic effect. It's true. Coffee really for a short time stimulates increased excretion of fluid from the body. By the way, the use of coffee for weight loss is based on this effect. It removes excess fluid from the body and thus loses excess weight. If you did not plan to lose weight, and the diuretic effect is undesirable, it can be compensated very simply. It is enough to drink a glass of water half an hour after drinking a cup of coffee. The same can be done an hour before you enjoy another cup of magical drink.

The harm of the diuretic effect is that fluid loss can lead to dehydration. But in order for it to come, you need to drink coffee simply in colossal quantities and at the same time no longer consume absolutely no liquid. And in this way, useful substances can be washed out of the body in a fairly large amount. But in order to achieve this, you need to drink at least 5 cups of a very strong drink per day. If you use it in moderate doses (2-3 cups of a weak drink per day), you will not be affected by such an effect. At the same time, the mild diuretic effect of coffee becomes even useful. It improves metabolic processes in the body, without affecting the established water-salt balance.

How coffee affects the concentration of calcium in the body

Again, everything will depend on the daily dose of coffee that you keep. At a normal rate, coffee simply cannot remove calcium from the body and harm bone tissue or tooth enamel. If you are afraid that the body will still begin to lose calcium, which is so important for it, then use a very simple advice - drink coffee with milk. Milk contains a lot of the calcium you need, which is easy to digest. So you will not only save your reserves of this mineral, but also significantly replenish them. By the way, instant coffee goes well with milk or cream. You should also include dairy products and cottage cheese in your diet. Curdled milk, yogurt, kefir and fermented baked milk are very rich in calcium.

Addiction

Opponents of coffee argue their dislike for this drink by the fact that it can be addictive. This is not entirely true. In fact, addiction develops not so much from coffee as from the ritual of its preparation. As you know, the main merit of the invigorating effect that coffee has belongs to the alkaloid caffeine. There is a lot of it in this drink. Some believe that caffeine can be addictive. But there is not a single scientific work that would confirm this. Studies on how coffee affects the body have been carried out in many countries. They found some pattern. Indeed, some people just get used to drinking a cup of flavored drink every morning. If they are deprived of this opportunity, they become lethargic, suffer from headaches, weakness, and even mild depression.

Coffee can indeed develop a sort of mild addiction. Its culprit is the alkaloid caffeine, which is contained in this drink in large quantities. It is a powerful body stimulant. It is able to increase efficiency, physical and mental activity. But such dependence is quite rarely physiological. In order for a person to develop physical dependence, he must drink strong coffee simply in huge quantities. Most often, a psychological form of dependence develops. By the way, addiction can develop both from instant and ground coffee. To avoid it, you need to drink coffee in reasonable quantities. Scientists have conducted serious studies and found that a safe dose of coffee for a healthy adult is only 1-2 cups. However, it should not be too strong. In this case, addiction will not appear. For a healthy person without chronic diseases, drinking a small amount of coffee is not only safe, but even beneficial. Coffee helps maintain vigor, improves mental and cardiac activity, stimulates the central nervous system. Curiously, it can improve memory and increase attention. A cup of aromatic coffee, drunk in the morning, will drive away the remnants of sleep and increase working capacity. This is a good incentive that will help you maintain your ability to work at the proper level throughout the working day. The main thing is not to abuse this doping.

But coffee can only harm if you suffer from hypertension, chronic diseases of the cardiovascular or digestive systems. In this case, it is generally better to refuse it. Just replace it with another drink that will help you cheer up. There are enough of them. For example, green and black tea, rosehip, mint tea, fresh citrus juices, etc. have an invigorating effect.

Effect on blood vessels and heart

Coffee can really harm blood vessels and the heart, but only if they are already sick. It is extremely harmful to drink really strong coffee. Large doses of caffeine can cause high blood pressure and disturb the heart rhythm. In order to get a similar negative effect from the drink, you need to drink at least 4-6 cups of strong coffee a day. If you drink no more than two cups, then the caffeine from this aromatic drink, on the contrary, will support the cardiovascular system and even bring the pressure back to normal. This magical drink is especially useful for those who suffer from low blood pressure. This is an easy way to normalize it. But with migraines and hypertension, small doses of caffeine will help to cope with a headache.

Effect on the liver

Information about how coffee affects the liver is quite contradictory. Some believe that nothing but harm can be expected. Others see only positive effects. This is where the amount of caffeine comes into play. A high dose of caffeine and its long-term use can indeed cause toxic hepatitis. But in order for it to develop, you need to drink simply unimaginable doses of coffee for a long time. At the same time, liver cells will also destroy other drinks, such as strong black tea, alcohol, and nicotine. But moderate doses of caffeine will even prevent such a terrible disease as cirrhosis. And for those who already suffer from this disease, caffeine may even be a medicine that can prolong their lives.

Influence on the gastrointestinal tract

Instant coffee can negatively affect the digestive tract. This is due to the fact that it often uses additives that irritate the gastric mucosa. With excessive use of instant coffee, especially low quality, you can even provoke the development of gastritis or ulcers. After it, heartburn and disruption of the stomach are often observed. To avoid negative effects, it is better to add milk to the drink. It prevents irritation of the gastrointestinal mucosa.

Cholesterol level

Among nutritionists, there is an opinion that coffee can increase blood cholesterol levels. But this effect will be observed only if ground coffee is really abused. It contains the substances caveol and cafestol. They can indeed increase the degree of absorption in the large intestine of cholesterol. Because of this, its level in the blood plasma may increase. But in instant coffee, these substances are not at all. Therefore, it cannot provoke an increase in cholesterol levels in any way.

As you can see, 2-3 cups of instant coffee a day can even provide some benefit. The main thing is not to forget about the sense of proportion. Remember that caffeine is classified as a medicinal substance. As with any medicine, it is strictly forbidden to exceed the recommended dose. Otherwise, the medicine can quickly turn into poison. Instant coffee combines both harmful and beneficial properties. The main thing is to buy a quality product. Experts, however, still recommend using natural coffee beans, and brew instant coffee only when it is simply not possible to brew coffee from beans.

The calendar of unusual holidays offers an interesting date in July - Instant Coffee Birthday. It turns out that this drink is already more than 80 years old - that is how much time has passed since the start of production of the famous drink in a new form. Is it really possible to safely replace the long process of brewing coffee with such a faster and more convenient method of preparation? The question of the benefits and harms of instant coffee worries many lovers of cheering up in the morning with a cup of aromatic drink.

To understand what is in the jar from which we pour the powder into the cup, we need to trace the path that the coffee beans go before getting into this jar.

Drink manufacturers, of course, have their own special technologies, secret ingredients and additional ways to attract consumers. But the main stages of production are the same for different companies.

  1. Sorting coffee beans. It would be ridiculous to assume that beautiful grains are used for an instant drink. Those that cannot be sold because of their unattractive appearance - broken, shapeless, dented - they are suitable for production.
  2. Roasting process. It allows you to achieve a rich dark color of products and the original taste of coffee.
  3. Grinding Special machines turn the grains into a powder similar to ordinary flour.
  4. Extraction. The particles pass through boiling water under high pressure. This is a kind of digestion that allows you to turn substances from small particles into a liquid (about 40% of the total). The process lasts 4 - 5 hours.
  5. Filtration. The resulting extract is filtered to get rid of heavy resins, various sedimentary impurities.

Further production technology depends on the desired end result, that is, the type of coffee.

There are three types of products:

  • powder;
  • in the form of granules;
  • sublimated coffee.

In the first case, the “spray dry” technology is used, in which drops of the extract are dried with a jet of hot air during spraying. In this way, a fine powdery mass is obtained, which is cooled and poured into jars. But the natural taste and aroma is completely lost. This method is the least expensive for producers, so this coffee is cheap.

The second type is produced using an additional aggregation technology. In this case, the initial stages are the same as in the manufacture of a powder substance. The powder is then subjected to high steam pressure to compress it into granules. The quality of such a product is practically no different from the previous type. But the cost is higher due to the additional costs of aggregation.

Sublimation requires more modern equipment, so the cost of this type of product is much higher. "Freeze Dry" is another name for the technology in which the coffee extract is sprayed with a quick freeze, and then small crystals are dried in special chambers.

As a result of each of these production methods, a coffee blend is obtained, which contains from natural ingredients:

  • 2 - 3% caffeine,
  • about 10% ash, which is also a grain product;
  • saccharides.

But the rest of the components are necessary in order to give the drink a characteristic taste and aroma, which is lost during so many long heat treatments. These are fragrances, essential oils, dyes and preservatives. Basically, they are of synthetic origin.

There are more natural drinks that do not have chemical additives in their composition. Such coffee is called organic.

Another type of instant product is decaffeinated coffee. There are no chemical ingredients here.

Health benefits for women, men

If you carefully follow all the stages of the production of the drink, it becomes obvious that the process deprives it of most of the components of natural coffee. After all, those aromatic substances that are contained in the grains in their natural state evaporate, and chemical ingredients “identical to natural” take their place.

Therefore, there is no need to talk about the beneficial properties of instant coffee. They are all “lost” along the long path of several processings.

Of course, the drink can also cheer you up in the morning, but experts attribute this effect to a psychological rather than a physiological factor. A person hears the smell of coffee (after all, additives perfectly fake the natural aroma) - the brain receives a signal about the intake of caffeine into the body and brings it into tone.

The advantage is the speed of preparation of the drink. This moment is especially important for men who do not have enough time to brew coffee. Quick, easy and convenient: pour into a cup - and you're done.

Rules for drinking instant coffee

To reduce the effect of a "chemical" drink on the body, you need to follow the rules of use.

They are clear and simple:

  • do not drink on an empty stomach due to possible poisoning;
  • the optimal time of use is 1 hour after eating;
  • pour into smaller cups;
  • drink coffee with clean water at room temperature (200 ml);
  • do not exceed the daily allowance of 2 cups of the drink.

Is it possible to drink instant coffee during pregnancy and lactation

The issue of food and drink safety is especially important for women who are expecting a baby. After all, in this position, you should take care not only about your health.

The use of instant coffee during this period, especially in large doses, can cause:

  • pathologies in the development of the fetal support system;
  • problems in the mental development of the unborn child;
  • miscarriage.

Therefore, you should not expose yourself and your baby to such a risk, because during pregnancy you can safely do without such a drink, replacing it with more natural and healthy ones.

The ingredients of coffee are especially harmful to babies who are breastfed. After all, the body of crumbs is not able to digest the components of the drink. This can cause severe allergic reactions: itching, swelling, hives.

Breastfeeding is not a contraindication to drinking a drink, but still mom should be especially careful and observe the reaction of the baby after drinking a cup of coffee.

Contraindications and possible harm

As it became clear from the information indicated above, there can be no benefit from drinking a drink.

Moreover, in some cases, enjoying the aroma and taste of "chemical" coffee can lead to dangerous health consequences.

Among them:

  • drug addiction, causing anxiety and disorders of the nervous system;
  • disorders of the circulatory system;
  • leaching of calcium, which causes problems with bones and joints;
  • increased acidity, causing gastritis, ulcerative pathologies, poisoning;
  • dehydration of the body;
  • problems with the reproductive system in men and women, infertility;
  • decrease in brain activity;
  • atherosclerosis, arrhythmia.

Based on their possible side effects, there are groups of people who should not drink instant coffee:

  • pregnant women - because of the high probability of miscarriage;
  • couples wishing to have a child - due to a decrease in sperm activity in men and fertility in women;
  • "cores" - due to the negative effect on blood vessels and myocardial rhythm;
  • patients with diabetes;
  • truck drivers - due to the short-term effect of a small amount of caffeine in such a drink, drowsiness is possible after 30 - 45 minutes;
  • people with lactose intolerance (when drinking instant coffee with milk);
  • children - due to the influence on the fragile nervous system, increased excitability and aggressive behavior are possible;
  • elderly people - there is a high risk of jumps in blood pressure, problems with falling asleep.

The choice between instant coffee and its natural version is obvious: it is better to buy coffee in beans or already ground in order to prepare an aromatic and healthy drink. After all, you need to protect your health and monitor what you treat your body to.

Good afternoon, dear readers! Who doesn't like to pamper themselves in the morning with a cup of fragrant and invigorating coffee. The abundance of instant drinks on store shelves saves time. No need to grind and cook grains, just put a spoonful of granules or powder and pour boiling water.

But is instant coffee really useful - an instant drink. To clarify all the nuances, it is necessary to consider the composition of instant coffee, its types, as well as the method of manufacture. Today in the article, instant coffee benefits and harms, questions about the beneficial effects on health, its harmful effects and contraindications.

The benefits and harms of instant coffee

For the production of an instant drink, manufacturers use grains that do not have a marketable appearance (color, shape), which are sometimes called an illiquid product. Although this does not affect the chemical composition and useful properties.

Chemical composition and active substances of grains

The unique chemical composition of coffee beans is due to more than 1000 elements contained in them, which affect not only the quality of the drink, but also give it taste and aroma.

Heat treatment of grain leads to a change in its quality characteristics. In addition, manufacturers increase the aromatic and taste characteristics of the drink with the help of:

  • oils from coffee beans or their synthetic counterparts;
  • preservatives;
  • stabilizers;
  • carbonic acid;
  • dyes.

A high-quality instant product is made on the basis of the main component - coffee extract, which should be indicated on the package. Otherwise, numerous additives may be included in the product. In some cases, their content reaches 80%.

The main ingredients of coffee are:

  • Caffeine. Belongs to the class of alkaloids and is a bitter whitish or colorless crystals. In different varieties of coffee, its amount is different and averages 1.18%. Roasting practically does not change its percentage, which after processing is 1.05%;
  • Squirrels. Almost all common varieties of the product (Arabica, Robusta, Liberica, etc.) contain the same amount of protein substances - up to 13%;
  • Carbohydrates. Carbohydrates in coffee beans make up more than 50% of their total mass. The amount of sucrose ranges from 6 to 10%, cellulose - from 5 to 12%, pectin - from 2 to 3%. The grains also contain arabinogalactan, galactose, mannose, arabinose, fructose, glucose, etc.

Heat treatment leads to profound changes in the composition of carbohydrates. So in instant coffee, glucose is contained in an amount of 1.25%, fructose - 1.1%, arabinose - 0.15%, galactose - 0.1%. The roasting process leads to caramelization of some types of sugars, which causes the brown color of the product;

  • Tannin. The raw product contains 3.6-7.7%. However, roasting reduces it to 0.5–1.0%;
  • chlorogenic acids. Represented in the crude product by ten compounds and make up about 10%. When roasted, they participate in various reactions and undergo thermal destruction, which leads to a decrease in their number by about 2 times.

The content of multivitamins and heterocyclic alkaloids (theophylline, glucoside, theobromine, trigonelline and nicotinic acid) is observed. Watch the video, instant coffee from Galileo:

The nutritional value product is directly dependent on its type. On average, 100 g of coffee contains: 0.2 g of proteins; 0.6 g fat; 0.1 g of carbohydrates; up to 5 mg calcium; 0.6 mg of vitamin B3; 9 mg potassium; 7 mg phosphorus; 2 mg iron.

Types of instant coffee, what is their difference

The inventor of the instant drink is the Japanese scientist Satori Kato, who lived in America. The discovery dates back to 1901. The production of the drink was put on an industrial basis in 1906 by the English chemist George Constant Washington.

However, World War II brought popularity to the product, during which both military personnel and civilians liked the quick and convenient preparation of the drink.

At the moment, the sales volume of instant drink is in second place after oil. For industrial purposes, two varieties of coffee trees are grown - Arabica and Robusta.

The modern food industry presents several types of instant coffee, which differ in the method of production and, as a result, in their taste and effect on the body.

Initially, coffee beans are roasted, ground and boiled for several hours using sealed vessels until a thick coffee syrup is formed. Further, the cooking technology is different.

  • Powdery. It is the oldest, cheapest and most common of all types of instant drinks. After brewing, the coffee syrup is cooled and filtered. To obtain fine powdery grains, the extract is exposed to hot air, which leads to the evaporation of the liquid.

It is made from leftover raw materials or low-quality grains, contains no more than 5% caffeine, numerous additives and is not of good quality. However, the drink has an acceptable pricing policy, which makes it popular.

  • Granulated. Its production differs from powdered in the final stage, during which the grains stick together under the influence of hot steam treatment and are converted into granules.

Such processing of grains leads to a deterioration in the aroma and taste of the drink, but gives it a more saturated color and good solubility. Granules contain more caffeine than powder, giving it an advantage over powder. There are no visible impurities in high-quality granulated coffee, brown granules do not stick together.

  • Sublimated. Manufactured using technology different from the above. The coffee concentrate obtained during brewing is instantly frozen and dried in a vacuum, bypassing the transition to a liquid state. Evaporation of water occurs and the formation of dry matter, which further crumbles into small granules.

This technology is quite long and expensive, but the quality of raw materials is not always high enough.

Freeze-dried coffee has a color, taste and aroma that does not differ from freshly brewed coffee. The beneficial substances contained in coffee beans are not lost during processing. The price of the sublimated version is 30-50% higher than the granulated and powdered version, but the taste of the drink fully justifies it.

The good quality of the sublimated product is evidenced by light brown large granules with a dense texture. They dissolve in water in a short period of time with the formation of a thin white film. The powder found at the bottom of the package indicates poor quality.

On the beneficial and harmful effects on health

Until now, experts have not come to an unambiguous conclusion about the health benefits and harms of instant coffee. The drink has a dual effect on the body, which leads to the need to analyze its properties.

How does it affect the nervous system

The use of instant coffee contributes to an increase in brain activity by an average of 10%, thanks to the natural psycho-stimulant caffeine contained in it. The ingredient provokes the expansion of cerebral vessels, which significantly accelerates blood circulation and some biochemical processes.

Acceleration of the transmission of nerve impulses through neurons increases nervous excitability and, as a result, causes cheerfulness, energy, and increased attentiveness.

The benefits of the drink are undeniable for intense mental activity, long-term driving, as well as for people over the age of 50. It helps to increase attention and reaction, stress resistance and performance. Able to improve mood and eliminate depression (due to the property of the product to stimulate the production of serotonin, the "hormone of happiness" in the body).

The property of the drink to relieve headaches (except for pain in hypertension) is a scientifically proven fact.

However, an overdose can lead to nervous exhaustion and overexcitation, tremors of the limbs and other unpleasant symptoms. In addition, the emergence of addiction, which is similar in strength to alcohol or nicotine, requires a careful approach to the amount of drink drunk.

How does it affect the digestive system

The product in its composition contains organic acids (malic, citric, oxalic, chlorogenic, etc.), which stimulate the production of gastric secretion, which in turn leads to an acceleration of the digestion process. This property is positive, however, in the presence of stomach ulcers, gastritis, pancreatitis and other diseases, it can lead to their exacerbation.

With the abuse of alcohol, coffee prevents the occurrence of cirrhosis. The tannins contained in the product saturate the body with vitamin P and activate metabolic processes with the participation of vitamin C. The tannic properties of tannins make it possible to use a coffee drink for the treatment of stomach ulcers. Tannins impart a bitter taste to the drink, which can be eliminated by drinking coffee with milk.

How do the heart and blood vessels react to coffee

The product contains numerous components that affect the cardiovascular system. The use of a drink in large quantities leads to a short-term increase in blood pressure and to tachycardia.

This property can bring irreparable harm in diseases of the heart and blood vessels. However, it is impossible not to note the positive product on the vessels. Reasonable doses of the drink helps to strengthen the vascular walls and improve microcirculation.

Influence on the respiratory system

Some Health Benefits Facts

Moderate coffee consumption has several health benefits:

  • stimulates the central nervous system;
  • activates the brain;
  • excites muscle activity;
  • increases the tone of muscle tissues;
  • reduces stress levels and improves mood;
  • activates metabolism;
  • reduces appetite;
  • improves digestion;
  • normalizes the microflora in the oral cavity and intestines;
  • enhances the effect of antibacterial and analgesic drugs;
  • reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease;
  • has an anti-allergic effect;

prevents and inhibits the development of cancer cells.

Some facts about harm to the body

Soluble types of coffee contain more acids in their composition compared to natural (grain). So they contain about 5.800 g of amino acids and 0.418 g of fat per 100 g of powder. This affects the increase in the acidity of gastric juice, causing heartburn, in addition, they negatively affect dental health, thinning tooth enamel. Evidence of this is the increased sensitivity of the teeth to hot and cold, to sour.

Coffee with milk. Coffee with milk helps to reduce the impact of acids on the teeth, since milk has an alkaline environment, which to some extent smooths out the aggressiveness of acids. You can add to the finished drink not only cow, but also, which will reduce:

  • coffee acidity,
  • its destructive effect on tooth enamel,
  • reduce the risk of heartburn
  • reduce tooth staining.

Manufacturers in the process of technology add dyes to all types of instant coffee so that its color matches the natural one. Even the most expensive freeze-dried coffee contains a proportion of dyes that affect the whiteness of teeth. In this regard, coffee with milk somewhat protects the teeth from the deposition of dyes on the enamel. But in any case, experts recommend brushing your teeth after a cup of coffee.

There is a risk of harm from excessive coffee consumption, in other cases, even a single overdose of coffee drinks can lead to:

  • increased heartbeat;
  • dizziness;
  • weaknesses;
  • nausea;
  • decreased clarity of vision;
  • loss of consciousness or orientation.

These symptoms can occur when using a product with a caffeine content of at least 600 mg, which causes an excess of adrenaline and increased pressure on the vessels.

Numerous studies show that the systematic use of a drink in large quantities cannot contribute to the occurrence of diseases, but can lead to an exacerbation of chronic pathologies.

When drinking a drink, care should be taken when:

  • chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system and pancreas;
  • during pregnancy and lactation;
  • regular psychological overload, in order to avoid excessive excitation of the nervous system.

Coffee for women and men

For a more vulnerable and sensitive female body, even 3 cups of coffee a day will have a noticeable effect:

  • reduce the risk of ovarian cancer by 20%;
  • eliminate headaches caused by weather changes or pressure drops.

The use of the drink during pregnancy is a controversial issue. The increase in the tone of the muscles of the uterus caused by the drink can lead to premature birth. On the other hand, its moderate consumption prevents the risk of fetal death.

Experts still cannot come to an unambiguous opinion about the impact of coffee drink on men. Some of them believe that as a result of its excessive use in the body of the stronger sex, the female hormone, estrogen, accumulates, which negatively affects potency.

Other scientists have the exact opposite opinion. Their argument is based on the stimulating effect of the product and, as a result, an increase in sperm motility, which leads to the activation of sexual desire and an increase in the likelihood of fertilization.

For the elderly, moderate coffee consumption in the absence of contraindications reduces the risk of sclerosis and reduced thinking functions.

The widespread opinion about the benefits of coffee for weight loss is not based on sufficient evidence. Indeed, it improves metabolic processes, but does not contain ingredients that burn fat. For the figure, the benefits of the drink appear only against the background of active physical exercises.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers:

How much instant coffee can you drink per day?

When consumed up to 4 cups a day, the drink will have a positive effect on the body. With an increase in dosage, the stimulating effect of the product stops, and the destructive effect begins to appear.

How many calories are in a teaspoon of the drink?

A teaspoon of instant coffee in dry form contains from 5 to 6 kcal. When sugar, cream and other ingredients are added to the drink, these data increase.

How much caffeine does a cup of coffee contain?

A cup of instant coffee contains 60–100 mg of caffeine at the rate of 10 g of powder per 150 of water.

Which coffee is better?

If we consider this issue in terms of composition and quality, then freeze-dried coffee is better, in which the composition of useful properties is richer, there are slight differences in caffeine content compared to powder or granulated coffee. It has a somewhat peculiar taste and smell, slightly different from natural. Many people like it, but true connoisseurs do not recognize this coffee.

And if we talk about the usefulness of the drink, then a drink made from grains is considered by gourmets to be the best. Natural coffee has the greatest healing effect on the body, allowing you to feel vivacity and energy, unsurpassed aroma and exquisite taste.

Instant coffee, the benefits and harms of which are now known, is a product that is not quite common, due to production technology and a high content of caffeine. It also has a beneficial effect on the body, but its excessive use can lead to undesirable consequences.

Be attentive to your health!

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Billions of cups of coffee are consumed daily by society around the world. More than half enjoy instant coffee. The second part wrinkles its nose in disgust, and prefers natural grain.

Let's consider the most popular questions that arise among consumers of instant coffee: what it consists of, how it is made, what harm it causes to health, and to whom this drink is contraindicated.

Instant coffee - a surrogate. How to explain the concept?

Each manufacturer has its own special cooking technology, the details and subtleties of which are not disclosed. When drinking their favorite drink, few people understand that every 100 g of coffee contains up to 80% of additives and, at best, these are grains that do not correspond to the highest grade - not standard. This mixture is not considered to be natural, it also noticeably loses in taste. To be sure that the product is 100% natural, it is recommended to buy coffee beans and grind them yourself.

By itself, the raw material does not have the notorious coffee aroma, thanks to which the drink is known in every corner of the world. The smell is achieved by adding numerous flavors to the composition, which also affect the taste. This confirms the version that there are a lot of chemistry in the composition. An instant coffee drink with a fragrant natural smell, in fact, with its chemical addition, exacerbates the already unhealthy properties for the body.

What is the composition of instant coffee and what is the technology of its production

The most popular because of its cheapness and high caffeine content is the Robusta variety. For the preparation of more expensive instant drinks, high-quality, expensive Arabica is often added to a cheap variety.

Defective grains are always used. They are purified from the shell, rich in caffeine, which in turn is used in the production of medicines and drinks with high energy properties.

The cleaned grains are processed. They are roasted and crushed, hot water is added and heated under high pressure. After 3 hours, the infusion is cooled, the water is drained.

Coffee is made in two ways:

  1. Low-temperature (sublimation) - the substance is subjected to freezing and then the grains continue to grind. The resulting mass is loaded into a vacuum to evaporate excess moisture. This method is applicable to the production of expensive varieties of coffee, and the best, highest quality beans are used for it.
  2. High-temperature - under the action of high temperatures, a powder is obtained from the mixture. The resulting substance is either steamed to form granules, or left as is.

The beginning of love for this drink is born from the aroma, taste perception and association with relaxation. Over time, any five-minute or smoke break is accompanied by a cup of coffee. When the moment of addiction comes, it becomes necessary to inhale the aroma and again feel the taste of an invigorating drink. The morning does not come, the mood does not get better, the body refuses to start a new day without the usual dose of energy drinks. This passion leads to physical problems.

Which systems are affected by a hot drink:

  1. Central nervous system. First of all, the nervous system falls under the negative influence. The cumulative effect leads to addiction. Not having received his portion, a person becomes irritable and feels tired, sleepy. A dependency appears that corrects behavior over time. Lack of the product leads to depression and anxiety. Some experts see the symptoms as similar to drug addiction.
  2. Digestive system. Coffee can oxidize the body. This provokes the appearance of diseases of the stomach and digestive organs, gastritis, ulcers.
  3. A soluble drink adversely affects the liver and pancreas.
  4. barrier function. Morning coffee taken on an empty stomach leads to intoxication of the body. This also applies to any time of the day. If there is no possibility of a snack, it is recommended to refuse the drink. A safer time is considered to be the use of an invigorating elixir 30 minutes after a meal.
  5. urinary system. The drink leads to dehydration, as it is a diuretic. In good coffee houses, coffee is served along with a glass of water, so that the coffee lover can replenish the water balance 15 minutes after drinking a cup.
  6. The cardiovascular system. A negative effect on the heart muscle was noticed. Instant coffee is able to disturb a healthy organ, especially if you drink a cigarette with it.

Composition

It is important to understand that the composition of coffee does not inspire confidence - in it only 20% of the substance is extracted from coffee beans, and the remaining 80 are presented as:

  • Coloring pigments.
  • preservatives.
  • Flavorings.
  • stabilizers.

Contraindications

Due to the dubious composition of instant coffee, it is advisable to reduce the consumption of the drink for everyone, but it is especially dangerous:

  1. Pregnant women and women during lactation. When using a product of dubious quality, there is a risk of fetal fading, and a negative effect on its development has also been noticed. In newborns, neuralgic problems acquired in the womb are observed.
  2. People with heart disease, hypertension. Soluble drink leads to tachycardia and increased pressure. When walking there is shortness of breath.
  3. People with kidney disease. Most coffee packs have an intoxicating aroma and taste, but you should not count on a good caffeine content. Drinking an unlimited number of cups in order to achieve vigor, you can cheer up for 20 minutes and get a cluster of kidney stones.
  4. People of the older age category, the elderly. A cheap, low-quality drink can disrupt sleep and provoke hypertension.
  5. Children. In the younger age group, coffee should not be present in the diet, but if for some reason this happened, you must be prepared for excessive excitability and aggression, imbalance.

Given the above, it is worth reconsidering your views on coffee. It is not necessary to give up the habit of drinking a delicious drink, it is necessary to instill a love for a high-quality and healthy, 100% natural product. If the need to drink the express option is ineradicable, then at least switch to the organic form. It will lose in smell and taste, but it certainly does not have “chemistry”.

What are the pros, and is there any benefit from instant coffee

Store shelves with multi-colored packages, jars, packages are being emptied at an enviable rate. There is always a demand for coffee. This can be explained by availability, ignorance of information and habit. In some cases, even laziness to read the composition plays a decisive role.

Hardly found pluses are ease of preparation, long shelf life, pleasant smell. It is worth noting that, nevertheless, it invigorates, and the aroma pleasantly relaxes and gives a good mood. There are also psychological moments. It is not coffee that is important, but the ritual of coffee drinking itself. The habit of getting a portion of amenities with awakening can cross out all the negative aspects.

We smooth out the cons

It should be noted right away that milk can smooth out the harmful effects on the body, only natural, grain coffee. That is, this rule for an instant drink does not apply.

If the adoration of the drink is more important than health, then it is necessary to try to smooth out its negative impact on the body. Basic Rules:

  1. Do not consume on an empty stomach. It would be ideal if the coffee ritual takes place half an hour after the meal.
  2. Drink a glass of water a quarter of an hour after coffee.
  3. Reduce the volume of cups and the number of drinks per day.
  4. Replace with organic coffee, and even better - with natural ground coffee.

People by nature are dependent on habitual favorite things, culinary addictions. Often, even knowing about the dangers of the product, it is absorbed with pleasure. But when eating something, it is important to know the measure. The recommended measure for instant coffee is one to two cups a day.

Interesting fact! Exceeding two cups a day reduces the blood supply to the brain and testicles in men. Before going to bed, coffee intake is stopped 2-3 hours in advance, for those who are too susceptible to caffeine - 4-6 hours. This is due to the fact that under the influence of caffeine, deep sleep can be disturbed - the time of active production of testosterone.

Video: how to choose instant coffee

There is a constant debate about the benefits and harms of instant coffee. This is an easy-to-prepare product that differs significantly in properties from natural. It is worth understanding how it works and what changes in the body are possible with the regular use of an instant drink.

The beneficial properties of instant coffee are explained by the presence in its composition of a number of trace elements and vitamins, although in very small quantities. Among the main ones are the following:

  • vitamin PP. It has a beneficial effect on the nervous system. It provokes the expansion of cerebral vessels, saturates it with oxygen. In addition, it takes part in the breakdown of fats, as well as carbohydrates, converting them into energy spent on maintaining body temperature, the respiratory process and physical activity;
  • vitamin B2. Promotes the conversion of proteins, carbohydrates and fats into the energy necessary for the full functioning of the body;
  • phosphorus. With its help, bone density increases, and porosity decreases;
  • calcium. It is necessary for the formation of bones, ensuring their integrity. Thanks to this trace element, the fragility of the nail plates, teeth and bone tissues is reduced;
  • iron. Penetrating into the body, combines with oxygen and forms hemoglobin;
  • sodium. It helps to create pressure in the interstitial fluid, which is necessary for the supply of nutrients to the cells.

Positive points

The benefits of instant coffee are minimal. In fact, this drink does not have a positive effect on the human body. Its main and only advantage is the speed of preparation. For many, this factor is decisive when choosing a soluble or natural product. Also, the purchase of such a product is due to a lower cost compared to ground coffee beans.

Why is instant coffee bad?

To understand whether instant coffee is harmful, you need to understand the features of its production technology. When coffee beans are processed, they lose almost all useful components. To make up for the properties that were lost in this case, flavor and aroma enhancers, preservatives and a number of other substances of chemical origin are added to the product. Naturally, such components will not make the drink more useful.

It is noted that there are no more than fifteen percent of natural grains in instant coffee.

It is based on nut powder and chemical derivatives. Therefore, when it is used, an allergy is often noted, which manifests itself in the form of a rash on the skin.

The fast food product is divided into several varieties:

  • powder;
  • sublimated;
  • granulated.

Products are made in different ways, respectively, differ in properties and composition.

Powder

This is the cheapest type of instant drink. Naturally, its effect on the body will be far from the same as that of a natural product. Roasted beans are crushed and subjected to treatment with hot water, which is supplied under pressure. After that, filtration is performed, and the drops of the obtained extract are converted into powder.

Granulated

The manufacturing technology of the product is practically no different from powder. In this case, only one additional step is necessary. The bulk mass obtained as a result of hot water treatment is exposed to hot steam. Due to this, the powder is collected in lumps. So it is possible to obtain granules.

Sublimated

The sublimated variety of products is the highest quality and most expensive. Dangerous properties, in comparison with powdered and granulated, in this type of coffee are minimal. This is due to the fact that raw materials are processed using a completely different technology. Therefore, the taste of the drink is most similar to natural.

Initially, an extract is obtained from coffee beans. Subsequently, it is frozen and dehydrated, maintaining a low temperature. The hardened mixture, which can be obtained as a result of such manipulations, is broken into small particles.

Influence on systems and organs

The danger of instant coffee is that it can harm the body. It is worth knowing what impact it has.

Nervous system

To understand why instant coffee is harmful, you need to understand what effect it has on the nervous system. When it is used, the activity of the brain increases. The drink tones, invigorates. However, if you drink more than three cups a day, it leads to increased irritability, insomnia. For men, the harm of a soluble product also lies in the risk of reducing potency.

Heart and blood vessels

There is a clear relationship between all organs and systems of the body. Therefore, under the influence of an instant drink, not only the central nervous system works more actively, but also the heart. Instant coffee is especially harmful to people suffering from high blood pressure and heart pathologies. Therefore, they strongly do not recommend drinking it.

Negative changes in the heart and blood vessels are also possible in a healthy person if he consumes soluble drinks in excessive amounts.

gastrointestinal tract

The negative effect of the powder, sublimated and granulated product on the gastrointestinal tract was noted. This is due to the presence in its composition of substances that increase acidity. This causes the development of gastritis, stomach ulcers, exacerbation of gastrointestinal pathologies. Also, the appearance of diseases of the pancreas is not excluded. Possible liver problems.

These negative changes tend to occur in people who drink coffee on an empty stomach.

Treating yourself with a cup of your favorite drink without much harm to health is allowed only after at least half an hour after a meal.

Decrease in trace elements

If a person drinks an instant drink regularly, there is a loss of trace elements important for health. Women are at an increased risk. It is possible to prevent the onset of pathological changes and the development of pathologies. To do this, coffee lovers should periodically resort to taking vitamin complexes.

Addiction

If you drink a lot of coffee, there is an addiction. A person gradually gets used to the effects of caffeine, increases the dosage.

To get rid of such problems, you need to stop drinking coffee drinks. True, this should be done gradually, reducing the strength and the number of cups drunk.

Impact on appearance

Doctors unanimously talk about the dangers of instant coffee products and claim that it provokes premature aging. This is due to the dehydrating effect of the drink. It is noted that it leads to the appearance of cellulite. There are also negative changes in tooth enamel. It becomes dark, a brown coating forms.

Harm to pregnant women

Instant coffee is especially harmful to women during pregnancy. During this important life period, the use of any coffee drinks, even natural ones, is prohibited. This is due to the fact that, even if you drink only a few cups a day, the female body may not be able to cope with the task assigned to it. At times, the risk of spontaneous miscarriage and premature birth increases. A particular danger is noted from the fourth month of gestation.

Instant coffee drink does not have a positive effect on the body. Its composition is not much similar to a natural product. With frequent use, health problems appear. Therefore, doctors strongly do not recommend abusing this type of coffee. It is allowed to drink occasionally. This is the only way to avoid unwanted changes.