If we are to name one of the most popular and most consumed drinks on the planet, then it is without a doubt that coffee makes the cut! (And this is setting all biases aside as a coffee shop owner!) In a fast-paced world where everyone is always on-the-go, some would rely on this caffeine-based beverage to elevate their energy and mood throughout the day.
If you are an avid drinker, then we bet you must know how it feels to be without your favorite caffeine fix running in your veins at the start of the day! It has been a staple drink for everyone and sometimes, you might find yourself thinking – what is there about it that makes it so good for most people, if not all?
As a dedicated coffee shop owner, we’re here to share with you some amazing all about coffee facts – from their pros to their cons to the different types to simply what makes them good!
Is coffee good or bad for you?
Before we delve deeper on all about coffee matters, let’s answer one of the most frequently asked questions. Whether it is good or bad, the answers can be a bit controversial; you can consider it like some sort of a split decision. There are actually two sides of the coin here. There are some health benefits that come along with drinking coffee, but at the same time, there are also some effects you might need to watch out for or be more careful about.
To gain more clarity, we have consolidated a list of pros and cons.
Coffee Pros
So let’s start off first with the positives. It is known to offer a lot of benefits, whether it’s for health or simply to increase one’s productivity level.
Pro # 1: Increases brain activity and metabolism
According to Healthline, it has the highest source of caffeine among all beverages. It is a well-known stimulant that can trigger the release of hormones like dopamine and norepinephrine, which are both known to increase brain activity, hence, causing you to feel more alert than usual. So this explains why drinkers are extra perky when they get a dose of caffeine for the day. However, do note that, this boosting effect is only short-term, and it continuously reduces when you drink everyday because your system eventually becomes tolerant to it.
Pro # 2: Packed with antioxidants and nutrients
Believe it or not, it contains a lot of essential nutrients like vitamin Bs, potassium, and magnesium to name a few. It’s also packed with antioxidants, which is essential in combating against free radicals in your body.
Free radicals are known to damage essential proteins and DNA which can result to a number of diseases, including cancer. Antioxidants are a great substance to battle against this, and you can find loads of it in coffee.
Pro # 3: Lowers the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and Type 2 Diabetes
Another great health benefit we will discuss all about coffee, is the reduced risk of cognitive diseases like Alzheimer’s Disease (which results to the deterioration of the brain and eventually, dementia) and Parkinson’s Disease. Studies have shown that the caffeine helps increase energy metabolism in the brain, which strengthen its capacity for stronger memory function and capacity.
On another note, it also shows that it can reduce the risk of Type 2 Diabetes. It is known to elevate blood sugar levels because of the effects of insulin. By regularly drinking it, you are lowering of getting the disease.
Coffee Cons
Coffee, in general, is good, but just like anything that is taken excessively, it can have some downsides to it. We’re not sharing these to scare you away, but we would like to take this opportunity to provide helpful information so as to make your coffee experience a healthy and enjoyable one.
Con # 1: Can be addictive and can give you withdrawal symptoms
Caffeine is the substance that makes you crave for more coffee. Some frequent drinkers can’t get enough of having just one cup of joe in a day, so don’t be too surprised if you hear that they are already on their 5th cup for the day. Coffee addict much? You bet! And this is where you may want to consider holding that sip, if you ever resonate with this. Having too much coffee everyday can make you become too dependent on it. Moreover, your body will be tolerant to the increased effects of caffeine. So no matter how many cups of coffee you drink just to help you stay awake, your body will already be immuned to it.
Excess intake can also lead to co-dependency. When you miss a cup, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as brain fog, mood swings, and headaches.
Con # 2: Excessive caffeinated intake can cause anxiety
One of the unwanted side effects of excess caffeinated intake would be anxiety. Have you ever heard of instances where someone gets so jittery or easily nervous and they blame it on the coffee? There are cases where a person can be highly sensitive to caffeine intake, which then results to palpitation and anxiety attacks. So to refrain this from happening, make sure to regulate your coffee intake.
Con # 3: Excessive caffeinated coffee can disrupt your regular sleeping pattern
Disrupted sleep is very important so as to help your body recuperate from exhaustion. So if your body is loaded with caffeine prior to getting that good night’s rest, you might have trouble making your way to dreamland. This is especially if you are highly sensitive to the effects of caffeine. The purpose of coffee is to keep you alert and awake during the day, but your excessive intake can lead to insomnia. So in order to restore your regular sleeping schedule, it is recommended to reduce your caffeine intake by early afternoon.
Types of Coffee
There are a various types of coffee drinks and we have listed down some of the most common ones that are frequently offered in coffee shops.
Decaffeinated
Despite its reputation that coffee contains caffeine, there is actually a caffeine-free option, that will take out the energy booster effect. This is for those who may want to enjoy a hot cup of coffee before getting a good night’s sleep.
According to the National Coffee Association (NCA) USA, 97% of caffeine is removed from the coffee, leaving only 2mg of caffeine in a decaffeinated coffee. If you’re wondering whether a decaffeinated coffee is good for your health, it most certainly is and can even be a pat of your diet.
Americano
Often mistaken as just another plain black coffee, a cup of Americano actually has a more distinguished taste from the regularly brewed coffee. To get that distinct flavor, Americano is extracted from an espresso shot diluted with water. Some enjoy drinking it as is, but if you want to add a few spoonful of creamer and sugar, you are free to do so as well!
Espresso
Often used as a base for many coffee drinks, espresso is better known as a coffee-brewing method from Italy. It is highly concentrated coffee extract served in a small shot. It is know to have a richer and stronger flavor.
Latte
What happens when you combine espresso and steamed milk?
You have what you would call a cafe latte, or most commonly known as a latte. You can enjoy this drink either as a hot or cold beverage. Instead of just combining espresso and steamed milk together, some shops would also do latte art for a more enjoyable experience!
Macchiato
A macchiato is an espresso-based drink that is “stained” or “marked” coffee as per the translation of its name origin. It is combined with foamed or steamed milk, without overpowering the bold taste of espresso. You can drink it as it is or add some flavor to it to make it more enjoyable to your liking. Caramel Macchiato is a popular variety of this drink.
For All About Coffee, head on to Symphony Coffeehouse!
To experience the best of the best coffee shops in Portland, Symphony Coffeehouse is among the places that you should visit! Not to brag, but we are a family-owned coffeehouse that loves to give to our Beaverton community, and we’d like to think that our coffee shop menu adds life and vibrancy to it.
If you are looking for a great coffee fix, you can count on us to make that happen as we’re very knowledgeable all about coffee. After all, we live and breathe for coffee for a living and what better way to share this experience with coffee lovers!
We serve our well-known Thornton coffee along with mouthwatering pastries and dishes that are sure to fill your stomach.
We are open from Mondays to Fridays from 6 AM – 5 PM and on Saturdays & Sundays from 7 AM – 5 PM.