Coffee guide: Here is the most useful coffee
Coffee is useful, but the nutritional value depends on the brewing method. See here how to brew the best coffee so that you get the most out of each cup.
There is also evidence that coffee can protect against a variety of diseases. It shows, among other things, a large Danish study that summarizes the international research done in the area.
The conclusion is that coffee has a strong protective effect against the development of type 2 diabetes. Daily consumption of 3–4 cups of coffee seems to be able to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 25 percent or more. For every cup of coffee you drink – up to 6–8 cups a day – the risk of being affected by the disease is reduced.
If your coffee is going to be a health drink, you can influence yourself by the way you brew it.
French Press
What is it? A simple and good brewing method that gives a full and good coffee. Hot water is poured over coarsely ground coffee beans pressed down into the bottom of the jug.
Tip: Remove the foam on top with a spoon before pressing the coffee down.
Health effect: There is no danger in drinking a cup of French-pressed coffee sometimes, but excessive consumption should be avoided. The problem is that the coarse filter causes some harmful substances to follow in the coffee. A daily intake of 4–5 cups of French-pressed coffee may increase the risk of rising cholesterol levels and increase the blood content of homocysteine - which has a detrimental effect on blood vessels -.
Instant coffee
What is it? The powder consists of 100 percent coffee. The beans are roasted, ground and dissolved in high-temperature water. It provides a viscous coffee concentrate, which is then either freeze-dried or spray-dried to finished powder.
Tip: The powder should be consumed within 4-6 weeks after opening for optimum taste.
Health effect: Coffee connoisseurs do not have much respect for instant coffee, but purely for health reasons, there is no indication that it is worse than “real” coffee. Most of the harmful substances are filtered off during the drying process. However, the caffeine content is lower than in e.g. brewing coffee, which is a disadvantage if you are looking for the invigorating effect. However, it is good if you drink coffee in the evening.
Brewing coffee – The most practical choice
What is it? This is still the machine most people prefer, although new brewing methods have emerged.
Tip: Lime, deposits and old coffee residues in the jug go beyond the taste. One rule of thumb is to descale the machine after 40 brews.
Health effect: Most research on coffee’s disease prevention effects has been done on filter coffee. So there is a lot to lean on here. The filter limits the coffee fat and the harmful substances cafestol and kahweol. Filter coffee is also rich in chlorogenic acid and other substances that are believed to help protect coffee against type 2 diabetes.
Capsule Coffee
What is it? A real best seller in recent years. The coffee in the small capsules is available in countless flavors, and the machine makes a cup of coffee in no time.
Tip: Before brewing, rinse the machine thoroughly. Then the coffee gets the right temperature, and it avoids that the taste is affected by residues from previous brews.
Health effect: The health effect is more questionable as canned coffee contains 10 times more coffee fat compared to filter coffee. However, you need to drink many cups of coffee every day before the cholesterol level is affected. A study recently showed a high prevalence of bacteria and fungi in capsule machines, and lack of hygiene is a factor that negatively affects the health effect.
Espresso
What is it? Concentrated, flavorful coffee served in small cups. Many coffee drinks, e.g. coffee latte and cappuccino, have espresso as a base. Brewed in 92-95 degrees hot water with high pressure, which is pressed through a small compact amount of coffee.
Tip: Press the water through finely-ground coffee for 25-30 seconds.
Health effect: When it comes to the content of cafestol and kahweol, the espresso sits approximately in the middle of the field. The content of the potentially harmful substances is lower than in e.g. French-pressed coffee but higher than in filter coffee. Espresso is rich in antioxidants and the substance N-methyl pyridinium, which among other things. reduces gastric acid production. Espresso can, therefore, be quite gentle on the stomach.
Drip coffee
What is it? Paper coffee filter was invented by German Melitta Bentz in 1908. Since then, the brewing method with coffee filter has been a simple and practical solution. The method provides a very clear, clean and delicate cup of coffee, and many coffee lovers prefer hand-brewed filter coffee.
Health effect: A useful coffee with documented health effects. Like machine coffee, drip coffee is rich in substances that protect against diabetes, while the paper filter removes the cholesterol-raising substances.