Coffee is a beverage enjoyed by both health enthusiasts and connoisseurs, each group for different reasons. For most people, it's a daily staple, for some it's a drug, and for others, it's a delightful form of meditation. What secrets lie behind those mysterious coffee beans with their intoxicating aroma?

The earliest accounts of coffee are, of course, shrouded in legends. One such tale tells of a time around 850 AD, when a young Ethiopian goat herder noticed that his goats became unusually energetic after eating berries from a previously unknown evergreen shrub. Upon examining the plant, he discovered the berries, which he also tasted. He later spoke with a nearby monastery's abbot about the beneficial effects of the beans, who decided to try them himself. However, the abbot eventually called the plant a creation of the devil and threw the beans into the fire. This accidental roasting likely resulted in the first partial roasting of coffee and the release of its aromatic compounds. It was the aroma of the coffee that ultimately changed the abbot's mind. He decided to grind the beans and mix them with water, creating a stimulating beverage that he and the monks consumed in the monastery.

Coffee: Praised and Condemned

Experts say that coffee contains approximately 200 substances, the most notable of which are antioxidants (coffee contains even more than green tea or some types of fruit), caffeine, niacin (vitamin B3), and higher levels of potassium, phosphorus, iron, and magnesium. Therefore, high-quality coffee, properly prepared and consumed in moderation, acts as a fairly strong antioxidant, stimulates digestion, heart and brain function, deepens breathing, and increases blood pressure. In moderate amounts, it can relieve pain, and caffeine is even considered an antidote to alcohol. In the brain, caffeine increases the concentration of dopamine, the "happiness" hormone, which is why coffee also has antidepressant effects. It seems like all positives... but it's not quite that simple.

What coffee provides certainly doesn't come free. It takes something from us, and it largely depends on the form, quantity, and time of day in which we enjoy our cup. Among the known negative effects of coffee on the body, dehydration is a primary concern. Excessive coffee consumption can also cause nervousness, restlessness, lack of concentration, and a loss of fine motor skills. Let's also consider some of the less well-known, but equally important, information and connections...

Because coffee is primarily a stimulant, it's best consumed before intense activity, especially physical activity. It prepares the body for performance by initiating complex chemical reactions. As a result, we become more alert, faster, and stronger; our muscles are fully engaged, and we are in a "ready" state, prepared for action or flight. Thanks to caffeine, which promotes the production of glucose, the body's energy reserve, and thus prolongs the effects of adrenaline, we are able to maintain peak performance for longer. Adrenaline itself is broken down during physical activity. If we drink coffee while relaxing and not engaging in physical activity, it has the opposite effect. We quickly feel tired, both physically and mentally. Why? Because our body is expending energy breaking down and eliminating the stress hormones (primarily adrenaline) that are released in response to coffee consumption.

Experts disagree on the significant impact of coffee on the body's acid-base balance. Coffee acidifies the body, which is confirmed by many doctors and practitioners who advocate a holistic approach to health. When the body's acid-base balance is disrupted and becomes more acidic (lower pH), the body will do everything it can to restore the balance and maintain internal stability (homeostasis). What exactly does it do? It begins to leach alkaline elements like magnesium, calcium, zinc, and selenium from bones, tissues, and teeth, using them to restore the necessary pH level in bodily fluids.

Are you a fan of this delicious beverage? Is coffee your passion? For me, it is. For years, I have been searching for ways to minimize the negative effects of coffee and, conversely, to benefit from the good things that this intoxicating drink offers.

Preparation, quantity, and combination with other foods

Many doctors will tell you that 2 to 3 cups of coffee per day are acceptable, while some sources mention up to six cups. However, what exactly do we mean by a "cup"? There is a huge difference between a large Czech "turk" (coffee pot) and a small espresso, both in terms of caffeine content and the quality and health benefits of the resulting beverage.

First, the amount of caffeine in coffee depends on the preparation method. Coffee beans should be processed within a few weeks of roasting, according to connoisseurs. Coffee should not come into contact with boiling water. The typical temperature considered ideal for brewing coffee, from instant coffee to Turkish coffee and espresso, is around 80 degrees Celsius. If coffee is poured with boiling water, it will be degraded, and undesirable substances will be leached out, which will alter the taste, aroma, and quality of the beverage.

Also, the longer coffee is steeped, the more caffeine and other undesirable substances are released. Sometimes I still hear someone complain that a small espresso would kill them, so they prefer to have a Czech specialty, called "presso" or "pool," prepared. This is the opposite of the truth. If the espresso machine is properly calibrated, and the water has the correct temperature and pressure, a small espresso is the purest essence of what the coffee bean has to offer. Moreover, it contains a minimum amount of caffeine compared to other coffee beverages. Yes, it's true. If you crave a larger cup, Italians have long added a little warm water to a small espresso (30-40 ml) to create what is called an Espresso Lungo (long coffee) or an Americano (coffee in a larger cup). It is definitely not recommended to let water run through a dose of coffee into a larger amount. This will degrade the quality of the resulting beverage and your enjoyment of it, and will amplify its negative effects.

Coffee and milk – synergy or eternal conflict?

What about coffee and milk? It's hard to say where and under what circumstances the idea of coffee with milk originated. Italians enjoy what's called "Caffè Latte" as a breakfast item, and sometimes give it to children. They are right in that milk fills the stomach and becomes a food source, creating a false sense of fullness. It doesn't offer any other benefits. This statement may be disappointing to all lovers of Caffè Latte and Cappuccino. Research from recent years shows that this combination can be quite harmful, and from a certain perspective, even dangerous. It's not the milk protein, but the milk fat that doesn't agree with black coffee. The conflict between black coffee and milk fat has a very negative effect on the duodenum, which then contracts its smooth muscles and subsequently begins to shut down the pancreas. It also blocks the entire gallbladder. If our gallbladder isn't functioning properly for any reason, we're setting ourselves up for a host of other health problems.

So, how can we enjoy coffee in the healthiest way?

Definitely drink black coffee, properly prepared, ideally without sugar, and definitely not in combination with milk or dairy products. So, the combination of a popular pastry (like a "větrník") with coffee is probably off-limits. Considering our body's biological clock and organ function, it's best to consume coffee in the afternoon, after lunch, provided the meal didn't include dairy products, or later in the afternoon. Complement your delicious cup with a glass of water (even better if it's with lemon, to help balance the acid-base balance) and take a moment to pause. Set aside all your worries and work plans, and simply be present, observe, and allow yourself a moment for yourself. Meditate. After the coffee, you should experience the desired physical activity: a walk with your dog, an hour at the gym, a Pilates class...

For me, the moment with coffee is a MEDITATION. I stop and am simply an observer of everything that's happening. I drink coffee, and therefore, I am.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE WORLD OF COFFEE

  • The Arabica coffee plant, or Arabica, is the most valuable and also the most expensive type of coffee. It accounts for about 75% of global production and is highly valued for its delicious flavor with a noticeable acidity (which also depends on the roasting and further processing). The caffeine content in the bean is up to 1.5%. You can identify an Arabica bean by the curved groove in the middle.
  • The Robusta coffee plant, or Robusta, accounts for about 20% of global production. The flavor of roasted coffee beans is much more earthy and bitter. The caffeine content is higher, around 3%. You can identify a Robusta bean by the straight groove in the middle. Most coffee sold is a blend of Arabica and Robusta to balance acidity and bitterness. Mixing the right proportions and then roasting it properly to create a delicious beverage is a true art.
  • True Turkish coffee is prepared in a special mini-pot, called a "cezve," and is allowed to simmer 3-4 times along with sugar and spices (cardamom), but it is never allowed to boil.
  • Authentic Italian Espresso (30-40ml) or Ristretto (20ml) contains a minimal amount of caffeine due to the preparation method, but it retains a very distinct and delicious flavor.
  • You can also enjoy green coffee, which retains many more valuable compounds than its roasted counterpart.
Here's a tip from DIOCHI: If you can't resist having coffee with milk and sugar, here's a solution – try Gerocel drops or Gerocel capsules, which can help support the regeneration of the pancreas. *Article published with the kind permission of the magazine Sféra.* DIOCHI: [http://www.diochi.cz/] casopis-sfera.cz/ gnews.cz - HeK