By definition, instant coffee, the benefits and harms of which are heatedly debated by scientists, marketers and nutritionists, is a drink made from coffee beans, which, through a special technology, are turned into a soluble powder, or, more correctly, into granules.
There are not many large instant coffee producers in the world, and each of them has its own secret of processing raw materials to obtain a drink.
In general, the technology looks like this: first, the peeled grains are fried, mixed with water and heated for some time. Then the suspension is separated from the grains and processed in two ways:
- In the high-temperature process, a powder is obtained from it, which is either left in this form or steamed to obtain granules;
- With the low-temperature method - sublimation - excess moisture is removed by freezing, crushing and placing in a vacuum
The resulting mixture contains, as a rule, a large proportion of dyes, preservatives, flavors, in contrast to natural grain coffee: 80-90% of the mixture can be such additives. The rest are low-quality Robusta beans, which are cheaper and more caffeinated than relatively high-quality Arabica beans. Therefore, most often, after drinking such a drink, a person does not feel cheerfulness, but, on the contrary, a desire to sleep.
The history of instant coffee
According to various sources, instant coffee was first produced in Chicago by Japanese-American Satori Kato between 1899 and 1901. Coffee was intended for the soldiers and therefore did not go into widespread production.
Thanks to Max Morgenthaller, a chemist-technologist at Nestlé, who improved the Satori technology, instant coffee entered the industrial rails. The first time the novelty appeared on the shelves under the name "Red E Coffee" in 1909. And only in 1938 the world-famous Nescafe brand was formed, close to the top of world coffee domination.
Types of instant coffee
The choice of instant coffee is limited to three types (and in most Russian stores - one or two):
- sublimated;
- granulated;
- powdery
The first one is considered the most "quality" of them, because due to its structure it retains the quality of the original raw product a little more.
Instant sublimated coffee, its benefits and harms are more shifted towards benefits, it is more costly in production, since the technology for its production is quite expensive and is fundamentally different from the other two types. Ground coffee is mixed with water, then frozen, separating from the liquid, resulting in "tiles". Then the latter are ground again. With this method of production, the properties of the grains are best preserved, minimizing the addition of preservatives, dyes, flavors.
Powdered coffee cheap in every sense: inexpensive production, poor aroma, achieved by flavoring agents, “liquid” color due to the abundance of dyes. So that the buyer can pour it into his cup, finely ground grains are passed through a liquid under vacuum and dried, increasing in volume and turning into a powder.
Granulated coffee- the same powder, but steamed twice and resembling small granules in structure with an even worse smell and taste than powdered instant coffee, but better soluble.
Pros of instant coffee
Even such an ambiguous product as instant coffee, the benefits and harms of which are still not clearly defined, has undeniable advantages.
Firstly, fast: the time taken to pour out the contents of the bag and fill it with water and to thoroughly prepare natural coffee beans differ by an order of magnitude.
Secondly, simplicity: cooking technology is also much easier.
Thirdly, storage: grains require more difficult storage conditions and may remain usable less than soluble powder.
Fourth, the combination of the first three points with the smell of an instant product, for a non-connoisseur of almost identical bean coffee, gives the feeling of “why complicate your life?”
Other advantages are not so indisputable.
- Like any caffeinated beverage, instant coffee can improve the well-being of people suffering from hypotension;
- By increasing the content of serotonin in the blood - the hormone of happiness - instant coffee invigorates and improves mood;
- Since a cup of coffee contains almost no calories, it is considered to be a diet drink that helps to lose weight;
- A kind of cult, actively supported by the media and coffee giants, glorifies the morning ritual of “a cup of coffee that helps wake up”
Cons of instant coffee
The harm of instant coffee has been scientifically proven.
Scientists have found that preservatives, which contain all types of instant coffee without exception, have an extremely negative effect on the course of metabolic processes. Even the imaginary dietary benefits are leveled by the risk of cellulite in the most unnecessary places.
If a person suffering from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and especially the stomach begins to drink instant coffee on an ongoing basis, then almost from the first days he will feel a sharp deterioration in well-being. The substances that make up this product negatively affect the gastric mucosa and lead first to the development of gastritis, and then to peptic ulcer. This is due to the sudden increase in acidity and the acceleration of digestion processes. By the way, because of the latter, weight loss can be observed in the early stages. But soon 2-4 kilograms dropped will result in the same diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and, as a result, deterioration and general lethargy of the skin.
If a person stubbornly continues to eat instant coffee, as well as. this product causes some kind of addiction, and not one cup a day, then he methodically dehydrates his body, simultaneously depriving him of iron, potassium, calcium and other vitamins, minerals and useful substances necessary in life. And coupled with the depressing condition of the skin, it can become like a chronically ill or alcoholic (swelling, bags under the eyes are attached).
But is it?
To reduce the cost of production, companies replace the coffee-oil-deprived drink with synthetic or, at best, less valuable natural oils.
After all, what can be useful from grains that undergo several hours of hydro- and thermal treatment?
It is a widely known fact that deep roasting of grains increases the content of benzopyrene, a resin harmful to the human body.
Caffeine, which is the original purpose of buying a drink, will not necessarily be natural, and in percentage it can be more than in a regular cup of coffee beans.
Some nutritionists classify coffee - and instant coffee, respectively - as a drug, which is only one-third true. Of the three addictions a drug is supposed to cause—physical, psychological, and addiction—coffee drinks fit only the latter.
Who cannot categorically
- For the elderly: hypertension coupled with insomnia - two bosom friends of caffeine-containing drugs;
- People with diseases of the heart, gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary system, kidneys. Violation of metabolic processes can provoke a sudden deterioration and the transition of the disease to an acute stage;
- Children. This is due to the influence of coffee on the nervous system, which in children has not yet been formed;
- Pregnant women. If you really want coffee, then you should choose a quality grain drink in an amount of no more than one or two cups. In large doses, drinking coffee will lead to disturbances in the normal metabolism in the body of the expectant mother;
- It is categorically contraindicated for drivers, since it can cause not cheerfulness at all, but an irresistible and imperceptible desire to fall asleep right at the wheel.
Looking for a compromise
If you want coffee very much, and in the nearest store or at hand there was only an instant drink, it is advisable to perform a quality check.
To begin with, evaluate the appearance of the contents of the bag. Coffee powder must dissolve in water without sediment - and the faster this happens, the higher the quality of the product. Granulated coffee should be homogeneous, with the same size of granules.
Smell and taste should not have shades of "chemistry", as far as possible.
If you have to drink instant coffee in the morning, it is highly recommended to eat something before that, add milk to the cup with the drink and drink a glass of water after 15-30 minutes. Thus, the harm of instant coffee is partially neutralized: increased secretion of gastric juice and leaching of calcium from the body.
Outcome
Every day in the world more than two billion people drink coffee, of which 50% prefer instant coffee. Whether instant coffee is harmful, everyone decides for himself. A person makes his choice based on needs and opportunities, but it is better to give preference to more natural products, rather than surrogate substitutes for the original drink. After all, as they say, you can’t buy a new life and you can’t return lost health.
Instant coffee was introduced over 100 years ago at the All-American Exhibition. It happened in Buffalo in 1901. The inventor of the very first technology was the Japanese chemist Sartori Kato, and his product was actually condensed coffee. Since that time, many people simply cannot imagine their morning awakening without a cup of aromatic drink.
Positive points
Yes, alas, these are moments, not useful properties, because this product does not bring any benefit to the human body. Its only advantage over its freshly ground bean competitor is its speed of preparation. This factor becomes decisive for many. What could be easier than tossing it into a cup of coffee and adding boiling water? After one or two minutes, it can be consumed. Also, the price becomes the basis of great popularity - it is lower than that of natural or ground coffee beans.
The harm of instant coffee
This topic should begin with the study of the technological production process. According to it, coffee is divided into:
- Powder.
- Granulated.
- Sublimated.
Now about each type separately.
Powder
This option has the lowest cost. Roasted ground beans are subjected to hot treatment with water (it is supplied under pressure), then filtering and spraying are performed. In this case, drops of the extract "magically" turn into a powder.
Granulated
Manufacturing is practically the same as the previous version, but at the end of the process one more step is added. The powder is exposed to hot steam and clumps. This is how granules are obtained.
Sublimated
This option is the most expensive and high quality when compared with the two previous varieties. The thing is that the process of processing raw materials to obtain such a product is completely different. Due to this, freeze-dried coffee tastes as close as possible to natural coffee.
First, a coffee extract is obtained, which is frozen and then dehydrated in a vacuum at low temperature. The resulting hardened mass is broken into small crystals. The mixture during this processing retains many useful substances, smell and taste properties that natural and ground coffee have. To the question: “Which species is less harmless”, there is only one answer - sublimated. And by the way, in the process of processing the beans lose almost half of the caffeine.
Soluble? Yes! But is it coffee?
When beans are processed, useful substances and essential oils are lost. In order to partially replenish the lost properties during manufacture, manufacturers supplement the soluble product with flavors, preservatives and other chemicals, and no one needs to explain what harm to the body from such additives. It often happens that after a couple of cups of instant coffee a person develops a rash, as an allergic reaction to the components of the product. Rashes can be on the neck, face and even on the hands, someone like ...
Only 15% of this instant drink is coffee beans.
The basis of the ready-made mixture of instant coffee is chemical derivatives, preservatives and nut powder.
Nervous system
Coffee is considered a good stimulant for the body. It awakens tone and increases brain activity. Only its frequent use leads to insomnia, irritability, and in men even to a decrease in potency.
Heart and blood vessels
The human body is a single interconnected system. Therefore, after a cup of instant drink, not only the nervous system, but also the heart functions more actively. It is not recommended for people who suffer from hypertension and heart disease.
Excessive consumption of instant coffee can provoke disturbances in the functioning of the cardiovascular system, even in completely healthy people.
gastrointestinal tract
Soluble types of drinks are harmful to anyone who suffers from gastrointestinal problems. Instant coffee contains ingredients that increase acidity. This can cause the formation of stomach ulcers (and exacerbation of gastric ailments), diseases of the liver and pancreas. Natural and ground coffee contains less of these substances.
It is better not to drink instant and natural coffee on an empty stomach.
Impact on appearance
Experts agree that instant coffee drinks lead to premature aging of the body. This is associated with a dehydrating effect.
Instant coffee contributes to the formation of cellulite.
In addition, coffee adversely affects the enamel of the teeth, which is manifested in the formation of plaque and darkening.
Harm to pregnant women
Is such coffee harmful to expectant mothers, there is only one answer - yes. They are strictly forbidden to drink any (ground, instant, natural) coffee. If a pregnant woman consumes three cups of coffee a day, then the probability of abortion increases by more than three times! This is especially dangerous in the second half of pregnancy.
Decrease in trace elements
Frequent consumption of instant coffee leads to the loss of trace elements important for the body. Women are at higher risk. To prevent various diseases, experts recommend that coffee lovers periodically take vitamin complexes.
Addiction
It occurs in both men and women. Caffeine becomes a drug for people, and many gradually increase the dose of the drink.
IMPORTANT! If a decision is made to get rid of such dependence, then you need to act “without sudden movements”. Doctors recommend reducing the strength and amount of coffee gradually.
How to choose the right instant coffee?
This is a problematic issue. When buying, you should be aware that the quality depends not only on which variety of beans was used for production, but also on the climatic characteristics of the region where they were grown.
In order not to make mistakes when choosing and not to regret the money spent, you need to know some of the nuances:
Package. It is worth paying special attention to it. Any damage, violation of integrity leads to the fact that the contents lose their aroma and taste properties.
Preference should be given to glass packaging.
Price. To produce a quality product, expensive technologies and raw materials are used. If the package says: “100% freeze-dried coffee”, then such a product will not be cheap. A good sublimated product is expensive.
instant coffee calories
Calorie content of instant coffee drinks can reach up to 7 kcal per 100 ml(and that's without sugar and cream). For comparison: in natural coffee only 2 kcal.
Instant coffee base without caffeine
The method of removing caffeine from beans is called decaffeination. The caffeine in the product then decreases by 5 times. Many people are confused by this fact. Is instant caffeine-free drink harmful? Yes, you can't call it harmless.
Such coffee becomes more sour, and does more harm to people suffering from gastrointestinal diseases. And in general, the decaffeinated version retains all the harmful properties of regular instant coffee.
So... What's going on? There is almost no benefit from such coffee, but there is only harm. But, in a situation of lack of time to mess around with a coffee machine or due to lack of funds to purchase it, many simply have no other choice. But everything is not so dangerous if not abused. Which product to buy, everyone will decide for themselves. Just don't forget about your health. For example, purchase a quality sublimated product.
More than half of the total amount of coffee that is drunk in the world annually is an instant drink. And people are constantly discussing whether it is harmful or not. They are interested in such questions as: what is the composition of this product, what is the technology of its manufacture, who and why should not drink it. Learn more about this type of coffee below.
How is instant coffee made and what is it?
It is important to note that this is a drink made from coffee beans, which, with the help of various technological processes, are transformed into a substance that is soluble in water. Instant coffee can be in the form of granules or powder. After adding boiling water, a drink is obtained that, in all respects, is similar to coffee beans. It is important to note that some manufacturers of instant coffee, in addition to dehydration, also carry out decaffeination - reducing the caffeine content.
According to the technology of making the drink, coffee beans are first carefully roasted, crushed and doused with hot water. The resulting concentrated drink must be dried. For this process, choose one of several popular methods:
- Freeze dry. After processing, freeze-dried or frozen coffee is obtained. It is made using the freeze-drying process. Cold processed coffee crystals are completely dehydrated by sublimation in a vacuum space. This complex process perfectly preserves the components of the extract. However, due to the heavy and energy-intensive processing method, it is much more expensive than other types of instant coffee drink.
- Spray dry. This is a popular powdered coffee, which is obtained using the "spray drying" method. Coffee extract is carefully sprayed in a stream of heated air. As a result, it dries up and we get coffee powder.
- Aggregation. Thanks to this method, granulated or agglomerated coffee, popular all over the world, is obtained. It is important to note that it is made using the spray drying method with aggregation. This unique process is the wetting of coffee powder in order to subsequently obtain granulated coffee.
It is important to note that there is at least one instant coffee manufacturer that offers customers a product in the form of a concentrated liquid that can be used to make coffee.
What is the calorie content and BJU of instant coffee?
Nutritional value of instant coffee
How much coffee is in instant coffee and does it have caffeine?
Often, instant coffee is preferred to grain coffee for quite objective reasons. And it's not just the cost, but also the amount of caffeine. Some people mistakenly believe that there is much less of it in granulated or powder coffee, therefore, it is healthier. But this is by no means the case. The thing is that it is in the drink in question that there is as much of this substance as in natural grain. For comparison: if freshly brewed coffee has about 90 mg per 100 ml, then instant coffee has about 68 mg.
However, the brewed drink may even have less caffeine, because if you cook it in a Turk quickly and bring it to a boil once, then the concentration of this substance will be less high. But when brought to a boil about two times, the coffee turns out to be more saturated, aromatic and, accordingly, harmful.
In all parameters and properties, caffeine is a rather complex substance that can have the most negative impact on the general condition of a person. It activates the nervous system, gives vigor, but, despite this, it is capable of provoking the occurrence of arterial hypertension. Despite this, coffee is indicated for hypotensive patients, as it is famous for its ability to influence low blood pressure readings.
This delicious drink is also able to improve mood due to the serotonin contained in its composition. This substance is also called the "hormone of happiness." It is not recommended to abuse coffee, as more than two cups a day can provoke caffeine addiction. And with a complete rejection of the drink, the body will be in the so-called state of withdrawal. During this period, a person feels apathy and aggression, lethargy and drowsiness. In addition, headaches may appear.
Instant coffee contains a fairly large amount of caffeine and various dyes. But manufacturers of a cheaper product do save on it and try to replace natural coffee with other components. It should be noted that the natural product does not contain any preservatives or flavors.
One of the most detrimental effects on the body is an increase in the acidity of the stomach. It is for this reason that doctors forbid this drink to their patients who suffer from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
If you drink it wisely, then you can, on the contrary, improve the performance of the stomach and intestines. Some overweight women believe in its ability to speed up metabolism, which helps to get rid of centimeters at the waist and hips. But experts from the field of beauty argue that excessive consumption of coffee reduces skin tone, causing it to become flabby and cellulite forms on it.
It also leaches an impressive amount of vitamins, nutrients from the human body, and it also loses vital water. If a person constantly drinks this drink for five years or more, he becomes completely dependent on it. His skin also becomes dull, dehydrated and painful.
Advice. In order not to get an unwanted dependence on coffee, doctors recommend drinking no more than one cup a day.
Freeze-dried and instant coffee: what is the difference between them?
At the moment, you can find several varieties of instant coffee in supermarkets. This is a drink in the form of a powder, granules and a freeze-dried variety. The last one is the most expensive. It can be recognized by compressed, slightly shining particles. This type of drink retains all the qualities of coffee beans.
*To view the full table on a mobile phone, move left or right
| Powdered coffee | Granulated coffee | Freeze-dried coffee |
|---|---|---|
Minimum cost | average cost | High price |
| To create it, coffee beans are carefully ground. Under the influence of vacuum, moisture passes through them, after which they are dried. Coffee turns to powder | Powdered coffee is moistened with steam. The grains are collected into granules. This manufacturing technique helps the drink dissolve better. But, unfortunately, the taste and aroma of it is not very attractive. | The coffee is ground to a fine powder. Then it is frozen with water. Further, using special equipment, they are separated from the liquid. After that, so-called coffee bars are obtained, which are ground again |
| The aroma is mild | Taste and aroma worse than other types | The taste and aroma are preserved, so this type does not require the addition of dyes and flavors. |
Is instant coffee harmful to the body?
To understand the negative aspects of this unique drink, it is necessary to speak from two main aspects: psychological and physical. It is important to note that with regular use of instant coffee, addiction to it occurs. For many, this drink is associated with rest, relaxation, pleasure, so when you stop using it, a person experiences complete dissatisfaction. And this signals that a person has a certain dependence on coffee. That is why, in order to fill this void, a person begins to drink more and more. Over the years, the current situation is radically aggravated - in the morning it is difficult for him to wake up and refuse another cup of aromatic drink. A little later, certain physical health problems begin to be traced.
All varieties of instant coffee are dangerous enemies of all organs and systems of the body. First of all, the vulnerable nervous system suffers. Some medical professionals claim that coffee really provokes an addiction similar to a drug one. A person is not able to start working without a cup of invigorating drink, he becomes irritable, aggressive. There are pronounced deviations in behavior. Over time, without getting another dose of coffee, he falls into a serious condition called depression.
As for the health of internal organs, many people know that the type of coffee in question is able to oxidize the body. Subsequently, certain diseases of the stomach, liver, pancreas and intestines appear. A person can get diseases such as gastritis and ulcers. Among other things, the drink negatively affects the condition of the gallbladder. Also, experts do not advise drinking coffee on an empty stomach. Because of this, intoxication of the body may appear. In order for instant coffee to do no harm, you need to drink it after eating.
Do not forget that this product is able to dehydrate the body. The drink has a strong diuretic effect. Even against the background of the constant use of the drink, calcium is washed out from the human skeleton. Doctors recommend drinking a glass of clean water about ten minutes after a cup of coffee.
Everyone knows that coffee, especially instant coffee, should not be drunk by those who have problems with the heart and blood vessels. It is also especially harmful if you drink it at the same time as smoking a cigarette or other tobacco product.
In fact, which coffee is healthier: ground or instant, and how do they differ?
Many people think that natural ground coffee is healthier. But is this true, let's see a comparison of these drinks in the table:
| Ground coffee | Instant coffee |
|---|---|
| It is made from whole coffee beans. If you wish, you can purchase beans and grind coffee yourself. In addition to the grains themselves, the composition of the drink may contain flavors. | It contains only 15% grains. The rest is stabilizers, dyes, flavors and other chemical additives. For its manufacture, the most inexpensive grains are used. |
| It contains more fatty acids, which are an excellent prophylactic that prevents the appearance of cancer cells. It contains about 115 mg of potassium | Potassium in this drink is about 69 mg |
| Magnesium, which is part of the product, allows the vessels to narrow and expand, thereby normalizing blood pressure. Its content in the drink is 7 mg | Magnesium in this type of coffee is about 6 mg |
| Contains antioxidants that slow down the aging process and keep the skin young and fresh | It has preservatives that negatively affect the metabolism inside the cells. Cellulite appears due to the regular use of this drink. |
| There are about three hundred trace elements and vitamin PP, without which the normal course of redox processes is impossible. Another product is good for hair and skin | In this coffee, all the vitamins are boiled down and eliminated, they simply do not exist. |
From this information, we can conclude that ground coffee is much more useful, since it retains all the beneficial substances and vitamins.
Advice. Some brands of elite instant coffee boast the preservation of vitamins, minerals and some useful substances in its composition. This is due to the use of special technologies. But, such coffee is even more expensive than ground coffee and cannot be found in our supermarkets.
Can I drink expired instant coffee? Drink expiration date
Many people wonder how and for how long instant coffee can be stored. The question still remains: is it possible to drink an expired drink and what consequences this can lead to.
The duration of storage of instant coffee directly depends on the type and conditions. With this type of drink, things are much better. As a rule, the average shelf life of instant coffee is two years. This is due to the fact that during its manufacture the product is processed using high temperature conditions. Moreover, an impressive percentage of the oils present in natural coffee simply disappears from the drink during the manufacturing process.
It is important to note that the natural components in the product in question are replaced by analogues of chemical origin. But, nevertheless, the opened package should not be stored longer than 20 days. During this time period, all components that are natural simply disappear from the coffee. You can increase the shelf life by moving the drink into a special hermetically sealed container. In such a container, it can be stored for 90 days.
Instant coffee with milk: the benefits and harms of a popular drink
There are several ways to prepare instant coffee with milk. Moreover, it is the recipe that can affect the benefit or harm of the drink.
It should be noted that the benefits of coffee with milk will be greater if you drink it without sugar. It is in this component that the harm that it can cause to the human body lies. In other words, two natural products: coffee and milk cannot harm health. It is for this reason that this drink can be considered useful.
It is recommended to drink for people who suffer from low blood pressure. In addition, it will help to quickly restore strength and feel a surge of vigor. Caffeine has the ability to flush out calcium from the body, but milk will help restore its balance. For this reason, the combination of these products is called very successful.
As for the harm of the drink, coffee can negatively affect the performance and condition of the heart and blood vessels. It is not recommended to abuse coffee. It is also forbidden to use it for people who have lactose intolerance.
Can instant coffee be pregnant or not?
As noted earlier, some experts classify coffee as a drug because it is addictive. Women in an interesting position only endanger their lives when they decide to drink a cup of aromatic drink. In addition, the life of the fetus at this moment is also at risk.
Constant coffee consumption leads to a lot of problems. It leaches calcium from the body of the fetus, which prevents the formation of its musculoskeletal system. But the negative impact of the drink can provoke the appearance of complications in the mental development of the unborn child.
Few people know, but in an instant drink there is a high concentration of benzopyrene resins. And this, as you know, increases the risk of miscarriage.
Advice. We must not forget that any instant coffee, even from the elite category, can cause irreparable harm to the unborn child. Therefore, do not put his life in danger.
The main symptoms of an allergy to instant coffee
Intolerance to caffeine and other components of instant coffee deserves special attention. Many people have no idea that they may have an intolerance to this product. Therefore, they do not exclude it from their own diet. Allergies can appear both spontaneously and manifest constantly. The only way out of a situation where an allergy to this drink has been diagnosed is to completely refuse it.
As for the symptoms, it resembles a reaction to certain foods. Among the most common signs of intolerance to this product are the following:
- the appearance of itchy spots on the skin, urticaria;
- shortness of breath, cough, sneezing;
- bloating, hiccups, digestive problems.
Among other things, an allergic reaction can manifest itself in the form of an unpleasant chill, pain in the heart muscle, migraine. Even in the presence of an irritant, a person can even react to the smell of coffee: as a rule, he sneezes, chokes him. It is these symptoms that are quite alarming. It is very important to pay attention to them, as this can be quite an alarming sign. If you experience a strange reaction to the drink, you must stop drinking it and contact your personal doctor. He will prescribe special anti-allergic drugs that will relieve the symptoms of the disease. We should not forget that there is no cure for coffee intolerance.
It should be noted that an allergy to a product such as instant coffee can occur quite suddenly and be taken by surprise. Moreover, it does not happen once. It may become a recurring phenomenon. Usually manifestations of intolerance are directly dependent on the variety and type of coffee. It is the instant drink that provokes the most severe allergic reactions. After its use, blisters, flaky spots, rashes, and redness may appear on the skin. They usually appear on the face and head. Often, patients note swelling, severe pain in the abdomen, diarrhea, and shortness of breath. These symptoms indicate the appearance of allergic gastroenteritis. In more severe and dangerous cases, an allergic reaction to instant coffee is accompanied by fever, fever, and Quincke's edema.
A person may experience allergy symptoms not due to a component such as caffeine, but due to the presence of impurities, dyes, flavors and other chemical components in the drink. Abuse of instant coffee can cause serious problems with the gallbladder.
Often people have an aversion to the smell of the drink. Moreover, it can provoke not only nausea, but also vomiting.
Advice. If an allergy occurs, you need to start taking strong antihistamines. An allergic patient should always have Suprastin on hand. After that, it is recommended to contact your doctor.
Is it possible for a nursing mother to have instant coffee?
Caffeine is harmful to newborns, so it should not enter their body along with mother's milk. This is due to the fact that the internal organs of the child are simply not able to absorb this substance. It is for this reason that you can get a lot of problems. But, this applies only to those cases when newly-made mothers abuse this drink.
With moderate coffee consumption, there will be no problems. Among other things, a substance called caffeine is found not only in drinks, but also in foods such as chocolate, black and green tea. Moreover, it is green tea that has more caffeine than coffee. But, nevertheless, lactation is not a reason for abandoning it.
Unfortunately, when drinking coffee while breastfeeding, there is a possibility of allergies in the baby. It is important to carefully monitor the condition of the child, especially in the first hours after feeding.
Coffee for a nursing mother should be only of high quality and natural. If you prefer an instant drink, then it should not be cheap. Powdered and granulated coffee is not recommended at all for obvious reasons. If this rule is neglected, then the life and health of the baby can be seriously endangered. The consequence of drinking low-grade coffee can be: a severe allergic reaction, itching and hives in a baby.
It is advisable to refuse this drink in order to completely eliminate the likelihood of undesirable consequences.
From this article we can conclude that it is better to give preference to natural coffee. It is advisable to simply buy grains and grind them yourself. Only in this case, you can be sure of the quality and benefits of this product. But instant coffee should be completely abandoned. It contains a minimum percentage of natural grains, instead of which there are dyes and flavors that can harm the body and provoke a severe allergic reaction. As can be understood from all the information above, during pregnancy and breastfeeding, you should completely abandon any kind of coffee.
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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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 not 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.
For a long time, instant coffee has entered a person's life and for many has become an indispensable and convenient drink. Thanks to the speed and ease of preparation, and most importantly, the invigorating effect, instant coffee has replaced the custard analogue from the lives of many modern people. And this is despite the fact that the instant drink is much inferior to the custard in terms of taste and loses the beneficial properties of natural coffee during processing.
Poor quality beans may be used to make instant coffee.
What is instant coffee? It is indeed made from coffee beans, which are first roasted, then ground, treated with boiling water, after which the resulting mixture is dried. Depending on the drying method, powder, freeze-dried or granulated instant coffee is obtained. It would seem that there is nothing special in the cooking process: the same coffee beans, only they have already been crushed and processed for quick brewing. However, the product may still not be as high quality as the manufacturers are trying to present it to us.
The fact is that grains of not the best quality are often used to make instant coffee. After all, the best grains are sold unchanged or ground for making brewed coffee. Sometimes even instant coffee is made from waste products from the production of a brewed drink. The caffeine content in instant coffee from different manufacturers varies greatly, and sometimes it is the same as in brewed coffee.
During the production process, many different substances contained in coffee beans are lost. They have a very complex chemical composition, only about 800 components are responsible for the coffee taste and aroma. In the process of making instant coffee, many of them are destroyed, therefore, to improve the smell, natural coffee oils are added to the powder at best, and at worst, synthetic components.
Now in stores you can find instant coffee with the inscription “organic product” on the package, the composition of such a drink is as close as possible to natural, it does not contain artificial components, and good coffee beans must be used for its production. Such instant coffee, of course, is much more beneficial for the body than regular coffee, but its price also differs several times in a big way.
Are there any benefits to instant coffee?
Considering how instant coffee is made, its benefits can be questioned. Nevertheless, people around the world drink it because they get the desired effect from its use. The drink tones the body, gives vigor, improves mood, helps to wake up faster in the morning and cope with drowsiness during the day. This is precisely the property of the drink that is useful for many. All these effects are the result of the stimulating effect on the body of the caffeine contained in coffee.
But what happens to the body after eating it? Caffeine has a stimulating effect on the nervous system, enhancing the processes of excitation in the brain. Hence the tone and cheerfulness that a person feels after drinking a cup of coffee. In parallel, his pulse and respiration become more frequent, and arterial pressure slightly increases. Such changes will not affect the well-being in any way and are invisible to a healthy person who, having “recovered” after sleep, is going to work in a hurry.
This coffee effect may be beneficial for people suffering from hypotension. A cup of instant coffee will help to quickly improve the condition of low blood pressure. However, it should be remembered that the effect of such a “medicine” is limited in time.
Caffeine somewhat improves metabolism and stimulates intestinal motility, so many drink coffee for the purpose. The calorie content of instant coffee is very low, about 75 kcal per 100 g of powder. It turns out that if you follow the recommendations for preparing the drink (2 g of powder is put in 150-200 ml of hot water), a cup of instant coffee contains less than 2 kcal. But it is hardly worth using this property of coffee to get rid of excess weight. Use in moderation will not have a significant effect, and abuse is fraught with negative consequences.
The harm of instant coffee
Coffee is not recommended for people with high blood pressure. The harm of instant coffee is primarily due to its caffeine. Many mistakenly believe that instant coffee contains much less of this substance than brewed coffee, but this is not so. Even decaffeinated drinks still contain caffeine.
First of all, instant coffee, of course, is contraindicated for people suffering. It should be noted that drinking coffee does not lead to development, but it can aggravate the course of an existing disease.
It is not recommended to use instant coffee for people suffering from hypertension. If for a healthy person an increase in blood pressure by 6-8 mm Hg. Art. turns out to be insignificant, then with severe arterial hypertension this may be enough for the development of a hypertensive crisis.
Instant coffee is also contraindicated. In this disease, blood flow is disturbed due to cholesterol plaques formed on the walls of blood vessels. In addition, the vessels lose their elasticity and become more brittle. Increased blood pressure, increased heart rate and vasoconstriction under the influence of caffeine can lead to a heart attack or stroke. For the same reason, this drink should not be consumed by people with organic heart disease (cardiomyopathy, defects in valves, septa, large vessels, etc.).
Given the stimulating effect of caffeine on the nervous system, you should not drink coffee with insomnia and increased excitability. The last cup of coffee should be drunk no later than 3-4 hours before bedtime. It is not recommended to drink coffee while taking sedatives and drugs for insomnia. Given the immaturity of the nervous system, you should not give coffee to children.
The tonic effect after drinking one cup of instant coffee lasts for 3-6 hours, so it is advisable to drink the next cup of this drink at least after this time.
A few hours after drinking coffee, many begin to feel sleepy again and note a decrease in performance. This is due to the fact that after excitation, inhibition processes begin in the nervous system, and therefore a person needs a new cup of drink to cheer up. It has been proven that over time, the body's sensitivity to caffeine decreases, in other words, addiction develops. In order to achieve the desired effect from drinking coffee, you have to increase its amount or strength. For this reason, it is not recommended to drink coffee daily, at least on weekends it is advisable to take a break.
Caffeine stimulates gastric secretion, so you should not drink instant coffee on an empty stomach. This substance also has a diuretic effect, while the body loses other minerals along with the liquid, which can be dangerous if coffee is abused.
It is better to completely abandon both instant and brewed coffee. Caffeine crosses the placental barrier and is excreted in breast milk, so when it enters the blood of a child, it acts on him in the same way as on an adult. Abuse of coffee during pregnancy increases the risk of fetal hypoxia, increases the likelihood of miscarriage and premature birth.
As we can see, instant coffee can do more harm than good. So if you can’t refuse instant coffee, then you should not drink more than 3-4 cups (150-200 ml) daily. If you want to enjoy the real coffee taste and aroma, then it is better to spend a few minutes preparing natural brewed coffee, which should not be abused either.
Galileo program on the topic "Instant coffee":
