The type of coffee we consume is something very personal. Most drinkers do not appreciate the taste and aroma of a good cup of coffee, so they add sugar, sweeteners or milk to nuance the flavor. However, it is doubtful which one is the healthiest. Just black coffee might have more benefits than we think.
Investigating each option to find out if the chosen coffee is doing you any good is essential. Whether you like to drink it alone or with milk, it is interesting to know the nutrients that each one provides to decide which is better depending on when we drink it.
The scientific effect of milk in black coffee
For those who enjoy milk in coffee, there is no question that it is added for flavor rather than for positive benefits. There is a lot of research on the effects of milk in coffee, with most arguing that it may hamper some of the benefits of this ancient beverage.
However, there are several scientific reports showing that coffee can help boost memory and even potentially reduce the risk of developing certain types of liver cancer.
Nestlé has done a lot of in-depth research on the subject. They were the original group of scientists who discovered that polyphenols are released for a long time into the body’s bloodstream after drinking plain coffee. They then continued their research to include non-dairy creamer and plain milk, to see if adding it to coffee had any effect on polyphenols.
Polyphenols are very important antioxidants, necessary to help minimize cell damage and prevent cell degradation. After the study, the results showed that adding milk to coffee does not greatly affect the time it takes for polyphenols to reach the blood. So adding milk or drinking coffee alone will not affect the antioxidant reaction associated with polyphenols.
But which one is better for health?
Although milk is good for your health, drinking it whole increases your calorie intake. Even drinking too much semi-skimmed milk can also lead to unwanted weight gain. If you are trying to lose weight or maintain weight loss, it is advisable to avoid milk in coffee, drink skimmed or in little quantity.
A cup of coffee only has 2 calories, while if we add milk and a sugar cube, we are increasing our calorie intake to approximately 57 calories. That’s a big difference, especially if you drink three or more cups a day. If you are prone to gaining weight, you could benefit from eliminating dairy from coffee.
On the other hand, there are those who defend that drinking coffee only increases energy and even clarity because dairy products are not added. However, if we drink coffee at night, we will be awake for hours. Adding a little milk lessens these stimulating effects, but only slightly.
Also, drinking milk with your coffee helps with acid reflux . Remember that coffee only has high PH levels, so it is acidic. If we suffer from heartburn, it is better to drink coffee with milk to balance the PH levels.
