Coffee is darkly coloured, bitter, and slightly acidic and it has a stimulating effect on humans, mainly due to its caffeine content, coffee brewing has been around for generations broadly enjoyed all over the world. When people think of coffee, caffeine is the first thing that comes to mind because they mostly drink it to increase mental alertness. But is drinking coffee good for you?
Studies have shown that it contains antioxidants and other substances that may prevent conditions more common in women, including Alzheimer’s disease and heart disease. It is one of the most popular drinks in the world and can be prepared and presented in a variety of ways.
Here are the types of coffee available on the market
Black Coffee
This type of coffee is made from plain ground coffee beans that are brewed hot. It is usually served without adding sugar, milk or flavourings.
Espresso
The word “Espresso” is a word borrowed from Italy to mean “coffee brewed by forcing hot water through finely-ground darkly roasted coffee beans.” In Italy, this word means “made for one serving” or “made at the customer’s request,” to distinguish it from coffee brewed in a pot. It is believed that a shot of espresso is stronger than the same amount of coffee. It’s also the base for popular coffee-shop drinks like lattes and cappuccinos.
Latte
A latte begins with the same base- a single or double shot of espresso. This espresso is then combined with several ounces of steamed milk to create a creamy beverage. The latte is then topped with a layer of foam but coffee shops have come up with endless customizations. Skilled baristas often swirl the foam into latte art!
Cappuccino
A cappuccino starts with a bottom layer of one or two shots of espresso, the second layer of steamed milk is added on top, followed by a thick and airy layer of foam to give the drink a lavish texture. A cappuccino boasts of a much stronger espresso flavour than a latte due to having less milk and more foam than a latte. It can be served hot or cold.
Instant Coffee
This type of beverage is derived from brewed coffee beans that allow people to instantly prepare coffee by adding hot water or milk to coffee solids in powdered or crystallized form and stirring.
Health benefits of coffee
- Your liver will thank you.
Both regular and decaf coffee seem to have a protective effect on your liver. Research shows that coffee drinkers are more likely to have liver enzyme levels within a healthy range than people who don’t drink coffee.
- Your DNA will be stronger
Dark roast coffee decreases breakage in DNA strands, which occur naturally but can lead to cancer or tumors if not repaired by your cells.
- Your odds of getting colon cancer will go way down.
One in 23 women develops colon cancer. But researchers found that coffee drinkers — decaf or regular — were 26 percent less likely to develop colorectal cancer.
- You’re not as likely to suffer a stroke.
For women, drinking at least one cup of coffee a day is associated with lower stroke risk, which is the fourth leading cause of death in women.
- You’re less likely to develop heart failure.
Drinking one to two cups of coffee a day may help ward off heart failure when a weakened heart has difficulty pumping enough blood to the body.