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None of us want to do without coffee. But how much coffee is healthy and what kind of damage occurs with excessive consumption?

Many myths rank about the effect of coffee on our health. Reason enough to take a closer look

Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world. With us in Germany, too, every German citizen drinks an average of around 149 liters of coffee a year. With such a high consumption, the questions quickly arise how much coffee is healthy and whether any health problems can arise. To do this, the coffee must be checked for its ingredients and their effects have to be looked at more closely. Since most of us drink several cups of coffee during the day, the result should be more than interesting.

The favorite drink of par excellence: the coffee! With over 800 aroma fabrics in just one coffee bean, it convinces with a real variety of flavors and great properties. In addition to the coffee acid and numerous bitter substances, there are unmistakable beverage variations, which give every coffee lover unique moments of pleasure. It is not surprising that most of us reach for the first cup of coffee in the morning. The person contained in the coffee quickly displaces any morning tiredness and keeps us fit for the rest of the day. Above all, the well -known afternoon depth is combated with the help of the guard. In addition to classic black coffee, many also drink milk creations such as a latte macchiato or cappuccino. The selection is almost infinite – but how much coffee is healthy for us? As so often, many factors play a role here. In addition to the ingredients and coffee variation, it is mainly important to the mass of the coffee we recorded.

Coffee: sick maker or power donor?

Whether coffee is healthy or unhealthy, the spirits often differ. It is clear that it is a popular drink worldwide, which is taken several times a day by many people. The ingredients of the pleasure drink are very versatile. With more than 800 aroma substances, acids, caffeine (alkaloids), minerals, protein and much more, coffee provides our body plenty of input. Most of these ingredients are absolutely harmless to us and also convince with valuable nutrients. It only becomes problematic with an increased supply of caffeine or with too many bitter substances. But how much coffee is healthy in the end? In particular, we take a closer look at the caffeine content.

For most, caffeine is the must-have in coffee. It ensures that after a short time we feel awake and cheer, can think and work more efficiently and help us through daily morning fatigue as well as the afternoon depth. Unfortunately, it is the caffeine that can harm our body. Medical studies set a limit of 400 milligrams of caffeine a day. As long as this value is not exceeded, the guard is absolutely harmless to us. Converted into coffee, this corresponds to about four cups of filter coffee. Around 71.3 percent of all Germans move within this limit and remain below the four cups mentioned.

So the question is less how much coffee, but much more how much caffeine is healthy. Since we also take other foods and drinks in addition to the daily coffee, we have to keep an eye on the caffeine intake throughout the day. In addition to filter coffee, for example, a cup of espresso with 50-60 mg caffeine, a 0.33 liter dose of cola with 10 mg caffeine, a dark chocolate with up to 115 mg caffeine and a 250 ml energy drink with 80 mg caffeine. In addition, you have to take a closer look at all kinds of coffee creations. Not every coffee contains the same amount of caffeine. If additives are used, they can bring an extra caffeine into play.

If you do not exceed the daily maximum dose of 400 milligrams of caffeine, you don’t need to worry about health consequences. With a larger intake, over a longer period of time, however, there is getting used to in the brain. The consequences can be insomnia and concentration disorders. Coffee and the associated caffeine are completely harmless in moderation. Anyone who does not exaggerate it with daily consumption can calmly indulge in the enjoyable taste of the coffee bean and does not have to worry about any health risks. If the desire for coffee gets a little larger, it is advisable to grab for decaffeinated coffee – this is usually offered in all shops and cafés and offers a great alternative to caffeinated coffee.

Attention risk groups!

The border of 400 milligrams of caffeine a day is usually a good clue for all coffee lovers. However, there are some risk groups that react a little more to coffee and have to hold back accordingly. Especially people with high blood pressure or those who suffer from insomnia must be careful with daily caffeine. Even pregnant women can have problems with excessive coffee consumption. Their organism is directly connected to that of their babies and passes on the caffeine unfiltered. Incidentally, this also happens when breastfeeding small children! Nobody has to do without coffee. A few cups of the pleasure drink per week are perfectly fine and should not cause health problems.

When dosing coffee, you always have to look very closely. Measuring spoons can easily distort the taste. We will show you what you have to be aware of.

The dosage affects the taste

The taste and wholesomeness of a freshly prepared coffee depends on many factors – including the dosage. How much brewing time do I give the coffee and of course what is the quality of the beans used? However, what many coffee lovers like to overlook: The dosage of the coffee powder also has a significant influence on the coffee quality: If there is too little powder, the coffee quickly tastes bland and not aromatic, but too much powder can make it taste bitter and sour. We have therefore put together some tips on how to dose your coffee correctly.

Measuring spoons are too imprecise

If you buy fresh beans for your coffee in a roastery, if you are lucky you will also get a measuring spoon with it. That’s well intentioned, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be an advantage – at least for the taste of our coffee beans. Because here the mistake is in the details: Depending on the type of coffee, the size, structure and density of the beans vary. This means that a scoop of one type of coffee can contain many more grams of coffee powder than the same scoop of another type. So if you want to be on the safe side, you should weigh the coffee powder instead of measuring it with a spoon. Because: When it comes to coffee powder, the volume is unfortunately no help. It can therefore be weighed neither by spoon nor by cup.

Dose coffee correctly: Always pay attention to the weight

So we see that good coffee quality depends, among other things, on weight. The best and most accurate way to determine the coffee powder is with a conventional kitchen scale.

Now, of course, it depends on which type of coffee you have chosen and which method of preparation you prefer – whether filter coffee, stamp jug, coffee from the fully automatic machine or from the coffee machine. Mild coffee also likes to tolerate a stronger dosage in order to develop the full taste with all aromas. Stronger varieties should be dosed rather cautiously at the beginning. However, the rule here is: the proof of the pudding is in the eating. You can find your preferred starch and bean relatively quickly. So nothing stands in the way of perfect coffee enjoyment.

Many coffee lovers don’t want to do without their daily cup of coffee, even during pregnancy. But how much coffee is allowed?

Is Coffee Healthy During Pregnancy?

Women pay particular attention to their diet during pregnancy. After all, the unborn child and the mother should not lack for anything. It is all the more important to know food and its effects. This also applies to coffee and in particular the caffeine contained in coffee. According to studies and experts, the consumption of the drink is not prohibited in principle, but should be restricted. The European Food Supply Authority recommends a maximum of around 200 mg of caffeine per day for pregnant and breastfeeding women, which is equivalent to just over one cup (200 ml) of filter coffee. Typically, up to 400 mg of caffeine per day would be fine for an adult. There are no restrictions such as only drinking coffee up to a certain point in pregnancy or not drinking coffee shortly before the due date.

Lighter birth weight

Coffee is made up of more than 1000 substances, all of which can have different effects on the body. Caffeine has a particularly large impact. Researchers from Norway have found that regular coffee consumption can have an impact on the child’s birth weight. Children born to high-consumer coffee drinkers had a lighter weight at birth than children born to women who abstained from coffee. This is harmless in healthy children. However, if the baby is born prematurely, every gram of birth weight can make a difference.

Restless babies in the womb

Babies are nourished in the womb via the placenta. This also passes caffeine on to the child when the pregnant woman drinks coffee. In general, caffeine has the following effects on the body: Caffeine stimulates the heart rate and metabolism for a short time. Caffeine can have similar effects on the unborn child. This can cause the fetus to become restless in the womb. In addition, regular coffee drinking can lead to the mother producing more urine, sleepless nights and headaches after the caffeine has been filtered out of the system. Because the fetus lacks a liver enzyme, it takes nearly 20 times as long to break down caffeine. In addition, the absorption of iron from food is inhibited.

There is so much caffeine in cappuccino, latte macchiato and co.

Pregnant women should make sure that their total caffeine intake does not exceed 200 milligrams of caffeine. But caffeine cannot only be ingested by consuming black coffee. Caffeine is also found in latte macchiato, cappuccino, tea and cola. To give you an overview, we have put together a list of caffeinated drinks for you:

Filter coffee: Up to 80 mg of caffeine per 100 ml
Espresso: Up to 110 mg of caffeine per 100 ml
Cappuccino: Up to 30 mg of caffeine per 100 ml
Cocoa: Up to 11 mg of caffeine per 100 ml
Black Tea: Up to 50 mg caffeine per 100 ml
Cola/Cola zero: Up to 10 mg caffeine per 100 ml
Cola light: up to 12 mg caffeine per 100 ml
Club-Mate: up to 20 mg caffeine per 100 ml
Energy drink (varies depending on the variety): up to 32 mg caffeine per 100 ml (Red Bull)

What coffee alternatives are there for pregnant women?

To be on the safe side, many pregnant women avoid coffee. For those who find it difficult to wait more than nine months to enjoy it, we have various coffee alternatives:

Decaffeinated coffee: The number 1 alternative is the decaffeinated version of the classic. Our tip: For quality reasons, choose a decaffeinated coffee with an organic seal of approval. However, you should also watch the amount here, as excessive consumption of decaffeinated coffee can lead to stomach upset.

Muckefuck: Another alternative is the so-called Muckefuck. The drink with the unusual name is mostly made from grain and contains no caffeine. It is also referred to as “fake coffee” because although no coffee beans are used, the drink tastes slightly like coffee due to the chicory ingredient. Chicory (or “common chicory”) is a plant that often grows along roadsides.

Fruit and vegetable juices: If you don’t get out of bed well in the morning, you can use a freshly squeezed fruit or vegetable juice. The numerous vitamins are also a good freshness kick.

After childbirth: can breastfeeding women drink coffee?

Women should also limit their coffee consumption while breastfeeding. The infant can continue to absorb caffeine through breast milk. According to the German Society for Nutrition, however, breastfeeding women can safely consume a little more caffeine than pregnant women. The guide value is around 300 mg per day, which corresponds to around two cups (200 ml each) of filter coffee. According to the Professional Association of Pediatricians in Thuringia, there is no precise research into how much coffee is “safe” for breastfeeding mothers and their children. However, we already know that too much coffee can cause sleep disorders in babies. Caffeine can also cause stomach pain and bloating in babies. Breastfeeding women should therefore continue to pay attention to how much caffeine they consume per day.

A cup of coffee in the morning for the perfect start to the day or an enjoyable cappuccino in the afternoon as a little break – for many Eropeans, coffee is simply a part of life. And even during pregnancy, many expectant mothers do not want to do without the popular pick-me-up. But is coffee even allowed during pregnancy? And what effects does the caffeine in coffee have on the unborn baby?

The popular hot drink gives you an energy boost and makes you feel good. The reason for this is the dose of the stimulant caffeine contained in the coffee. It increases heart rate and blood pressure rises. We feel more awake. In women who drink coffee during pregnancy, the blood flow to the placenta also decreases. The caffeine can pass through the placenta unfiltered and enters the bloodstream of the unborn baby. As a result, the baby absorbs as much caffeine as its mother. Side effects such as an increased risk of premature birth or miscarriage and low birth weight can result.

Enjoy coffee in moderation during pregnancy

But the good news for all expectant mothers is that you don’t have to do without a cup of coffee completely. A caffeine dose of around 200 milligrams per day is safe for the baby. That equates to about two to three cups of filter coffee a day. Nothing stands in the way of morning coffee during pregnancy.

It is important to remember that caffeine is also found in other foods and beverages. This includes, for example, cola, black or green tea or chocolate.

Conclusion

Expectant mothers do not have to give up coffee completely during pregnancy. However, unborn babies consume the same dose of caffeine as mothers. It is therefore advisable to reduce coffee consumption during pregnancy and only enjoy it in moderation. It is crucial that pregnant women are only allowed to consume around 200 milligrams of caffeine per day. Since caffeine is not only found in coffee, but also in other drinks and foods, the specified dose can quickly be exceeded. A cup of decaffeinated coffee is a good alternative. Pregnant women can also use mint tea or a glass of fresh juice to get their circulation going.

Anyone who eats vegan does something for the climate – and not a little: An ecologist from Oxford University has calculated how much greenhouse gas a single vegan person saves each year. The amount corresponds to several flights.

The meat industry is one of the most polluting sectors of all – this has been known for a long time. Livestock breeding and animal husbandry cause high greenhouse gas emissions, and an extremely large amount of agricultural land is lost for animal feed and animal farms. No wonder, then, that a diet without meat, milk, eggs and other animal products is more sustainable.

How much the vegan lifestyle actually brings, however, may surprise many. In 2019, the ecologist Joseph Poore from the British Oxford University calculated for the Spiegel magazine how many greenhouse gases a vegan in Germany is responsible for per year.

Vegans save eight flights

According to Poore, every person in Europe produces an average of eleven tons of greenhouse gases every year. Anyone who lives vegan saves two tons every year, including 670 kilograms of CO2. According to Der Spiegel, two tons of greenhouse gases correspond to about eight economy class flights between London and Berlin.

In his calculation, Poore assumed, among other things, that the production of vegan food requires significantly less agricultural land. Plants and trees that bind carbon dioxide can grow on the area, which is free thanks to Veganer:innen.

It is worth giving up animal products

The British ecologist and his colleagues published a comprehensive study on the subject last year. For the analysis, the research team evaluated data from 40,000 farms in 119 countries. According to the study, giving up meat and dairy has the biggest impact on our carbon footprint.

Even the animal products that have the least impact on the environment still cause more environmental degradation than the most unsustainable vegetables and grains. (More details from the study here).

The current calculation of the greenhouse gas savings of vegans shows once again why it is worth eating fewer or no animal products. However, for those who are used to eating a lot of meat or dairy products, the transition can be difficult.