Many people need coffee to start their day or give themselves a pick-me-up throughout the day. Whether you’re an experienced coffee drinker, or someone looking to learn more, you may find that you have a range of questions. You are not alone with this, there are common coffee questions that plenty of people have. This article will answer six common coffee questions, so let’s get started.
How Many Cups Can You Drink A Day?
The first question that is likely on the tip of your tongue is how many cups of coffee can you drink a day? It can be measured less in the number of cups you drink but in the quantity of the coffee itself. For example, you should ensure that you should aim for up to 400mg of coffee.
In general, this is a safe amount, but this could depend on each individual. Each person may have different sensitivity to coffee and caffeine, so you should keep an eye out for any signs that you may be having too much.
Some signs of having too much coffee include having tremors or headaches. You may also notice that you are having increased feelings of anxiety, with you feeling more agitated. You may also notice that your stomach is feeling more upset, and you may have noticed you are going to the toilet more. Signs such as this will show you that you may have too much coffee and need to cut back.
How Much Caffeine Is Typically In Coffee?
This is a question that is commonly asked when an individual has concerns regarding how much caffeine is in a cup of coffee. If we are talking about a typical cup of coffee, you will find that there is around 95mg of caffeine available. The purpose of brewing is to try and extract the highest amount of coffee in a bean.
The concentration of a branded coffee can differ depending on how it is brewed. If you brew in some different ingredients and flavor, then that can also see the amount of caffeine differ in a cup of coffee.
If you’re unsure how much caffeine is in the cup of coffee you purchase, then consider asking them directly. You will also be able to find out by researching online and reading nutritional guides directly from the providers. There is also confusion on the difference between lightly roasted coffee and dark roasted coffee. Dark coffee has a stronger taste, but the truth is that both have essentially the same amount of caffeine.
Is Coffee Acidic?
Some people are concerned about coffee and how it could affect their stomachs. In particular, they may have questions regarding the acidity of coffee. There are plenty of online resources from relevant industry experts on coffee who can help you answer the question, is coffee acidic? The short answer is that coffee is acidic, as most beverages are, but it’s not as acidic as you’d expect.
It’s important that you understand the difference between acid and acidity. Acid refers to the chemical compound itself, whereas acidity refers to the way that an individual experiences acid within foods and liquids. You may not know that acid is one of the essential building blocks of flavor, meaning that the acidity of coffee helps create the flavor profile of coffee that you’re familiar with.
The most typical type of acid in coffee is chlorogenic acid. This type of acid is an antioxidant that leads to several health benefits. For some individuals, acidic foods and drinks can cause concerns such as heartburn, acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease. To find out if coffee is leading to this, try cutting it out of your routine and diet for a short time. If you are still having problems, then it could likely be another type of food or drink that is the leading cause.
Can You Drink Coffee While Pregnant?
This is a question that many pregnant women have. They feel like they need coffee, and, more importantly, caffeine is something that they feel like they can’t live without. The good news is that you don’t have to cut caffeine out of your routine, but you do have to cut it down severely.
Experts say it is safe to consume up to 200 milligrams of caffeine a day, which is the equivalent of one 12-ounce cup of coffee. Moderation is key, and it’s important to note that you can get your caffeine fix in other means in lesser quantities, such as through a soft drink. It’s important that you stick to the regulations and don’t go over your limit.
You should ensure you are keeping your doctor up to date regarding your caffeine intake so that they know how much you’re having and if it is a safe amount of consumption. They will be best placed to give you relevant advice going forward and if there is anything that you are doing that you need to change.
How Many Calories Is In Coffee?
Fortunately, black coffee has zero calories. The only instance of calories existing in a cup of coffee comes from the other ingredients added to other types of coffee. For example, lattes, cappuccinos, and milk coffees will start adding calories to the cup.
For a coffee that has around 250ml of full-fat milk, it can add around 100 calories. This will increase when you add sugary syrups and additions such as chocolate and marshmallows. You should keep an eye on what you are adding to your coffees, especially if you are trying to cut down on calories.
Is Coffee A Laxative?
A final common question that many: is coffee a laxative? As you may have guessed, coffee has laxative effects on people. However, there isn’t any concrete evidence that shows that coffee has any further laxative effects on individuals than other beverages, aside from those that have IBS.
Those with IBS may find that they have to run to the toilet quite quickly after having a cup of coffee. The International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, also known as the IFFGD, suggest that overconsumption of caffeine should be avoided. This refers to pushing over 400mg of caffeine a day.