Good afternoon, dear readers! Who does not like to pamper yourself in the morning with a cup of aromatic and invigorating coffee. The abundance of instant drinks on store shelves allows you to save your time. It is not necessary to grind and cook the grains, just put a spoonful of granules or powder and pour boiling water.

But is instant coffee really useful - a quick drink. To clarify all the nuances, it is necessary to consider the composition of instant coffee, its types, as well as the manufacturing method. Today in the article, instant coffee benefits and harms, questions about the beneficial effects on health, its harmful effects and contraindications.

Benefits and harms of instant coffee

To produce a soluble drink, manufacturers use grains that do not have a marketable appearance (color, shape), which are sometimes called an illiquid product. Although this does not affect the chemical composition and beneficial properties.

Chemical composition and active substances of grains

The unique chemical composition of coffee beans is due to more than 1000 elements contained in them, which influence not only the quality of the drink, but also give it a taste and aroma.

Heat treatment of grain leads to a change in its quality characteristics. In addition, manufacturers increase the aromatic and taste indicators of the drink with:

• coffee bean oils or their synthetic analogues;
• preservatives;
• stabilizers;
• carbonic acid;
• dyes.

A high-quality soluble product is made on the basis of the main component - coffee extract, which should be indicated on the package. Otherwise, the product may contain numerous additives. In some cases, their content reaches 80%.

The main ingredients of coffee are:

• Caffeine  . Belongs to the class of alkaloids and is a bitter whitish or colorless crystal. In different types of coffee, its amount is different and averages 1.18%. Roasting practically does not change its percentage, which after processing is 1.05%;
• Squirrels. In almost all common varieties of the product (Arabica, Robusta, Liberica, etc.), the same amount of protein substances is found - up to 13%;
• Carbohydrates.  Carbohydrates in coffee beans make up more than 50% of their total mass. The amount of sucrose ranges from 6 to 10%, cellulose from 5 to 12%, pectin substances from 2 to 3%. Also, grains contain arabinogalactan, galactose, mannose, arabinose, fructose, glucose, etc.

Heat treatment leads to profound changes in the composition of carbohydrates. So in instant coffee, glucose is contained in an amount of 1.25%, fructose - 1.1%, arabinose - 0.15%, galactose - 0.1%. The roasting process leads to caramelization of certain types of sugars, which determines the brown color of the product;

• Tannin.  The raw product contains 3.6-7.7%. However, frying leads to its reduction to 0.5–1.0%;
• Chlorogenic acids.   They are represented in the crude product by ten compounds and make up about 10%. During frying, they participate in various reactions and undergo thermal destruction, which leads to a decrease in their number by about 2 times.

The content of multivitamins and heterocyclic alkaloids (theophylline, glucoside, theobromine, trigonellin and nicotinic acid) is observed. Watch a video of instant coffee from Galileo:

The nutritional value  The product is directly dependent on its type. On average, 100 g of coffee contains: 0.2 g of protein; 0.6 g of fat; 0.1 g of carbohydrates; up to 5 mg of calcium; 0.6 mg of vitamin B3; 9 mg potassium; 7 mg of phosphorus; 2 mg of iron.

Types of instant coffee, what is their difference

The inventor of the instant drink is considered to be the Japanese scientist Satori Kato, who lived in America. The discovery dates back to 1901. The industrial production of the drink was put in 1906 by the English chemist George Constant Washington.

However, the product brought popularity to the Second World War, during which both military personnel and civilians liked the quick and convenient preparation of the drink.

To date, sales of instant drink is in second place after oil. For industrial purposes, two varieties of coffee tree are grown - Arabica and Robusta.

The modern food industry presents several types of instant coffee, which differ in the method of production and, as a result, in their taste and effect on the body.

Initially, roasting, grinding and brewing coffee beans for several hours using sealed vessels until a thick coffee syrup is formed. Further, the cooking technology is different.

• Powdery.   It is the oldest, cheapest and most common of all types of instant drinks. After brewing, the coffee syrup is cooled and filtered. To obtain fine powdery grains, the extract is exposed to hot air, which leads to the evaporation of the liquid.

It is made from the remains of raw materials or low-quality grains, contains no more than 5% caffeine, numerous additives and does not have good quality. However, the drink has an acceptable pricing policy, which makes it popular.

• Granulated. Its production differs from powder production in the final stage, during which the grains under the influence of hot steam treatment stick together and are transformed into granules.

Such processing of grains leads to a deterioration in the aroma and taste of the drink, but gives it a more saturated color and good solubility. The granules contain more caffeine than the powder, which gives it an advantage over the powder. There are no visible impurities in high-quality granulated coffee; brown granules do not stick together.

• Sublimated. It is made by technology different from the above. The coffee concentrate obtained during brewing is instantly frozen and dried in a vacuum, bypassing the transition to a liquid state. There is evaporation of water and the formation of dry matter, which later crumbles into small granules.

This technology is quite long and expensive, but the quality of raw materials is not always high enough.

Freeze-dried coffee has a color, taste and aroma not different from freshly brewed. The beneficial substances contained in coffee beans are not lost during processing. The price of the freeze-dried version is 30–50% higher than granular and powdery, but the taste of the drink fully justifies it.

The light quality of the sublimated product is indicated by light brown large granules, which have a dense texture. They dissolve in water in a short period of time with the formation of a thin white film. Detected powder at the bottom of the package indicates poor quality.

About beneficial and harmful effects on health

To date, experts have not come to an unambiguous conclusion about the benefits and health hazards of instant coffee. The drink has a double effect on the body, which leads to the need to analyze its properties.

How does it affect the nervous system

The use of instant coffee contributes to an increase in brain activity by an average of 10%, thanks to the natural psycho-stimulant caffeine contained in it. The ingredient provokes the expansion of the vessels of the brain, which significantly speeds up blood circulation and some biochemical processes.

Acceleration of transmission of nerve impulses through neurons increases nervous excitability and, as a result, causes vigor, energy, and increased attentiveness.

The benefits of the drink are undeniable for intense mental activity, long-term driving, as well as for people over the age of 50 years. It helps to increase attention and response, stress tolerance and performance. It is able to improve mood and eliminate the depressive state (due to the property of the product stimulate the production of serotonin "hormone of happiness" in the body).

The property of the drink to relieve headaches (except for pain with hypertension) is a scientifically proven fact.

However, an overdose can lead to nervous exhaustion and overexcitation, tremor of the extremities and other unpleasant symptoms. In addition, the emergence of dependence, in strength resembling alcoholic or nicotine, requires a careful approach to the amount of drink drunk.

How does it affect the digestive system

The product in its composition contains organic acids (malic, citric, oxalic, chlorogenic, etc.), which stimulate the production of gastric secretion, which in turn leads to an acceleration of the digestion process. This property is positive, however, in the presence of stomach ulcers, gastritis, pancreatitis and other diseases, it can lead to their exacerbation.

When alcohol is abused, coffee prevents cirrhosis. The tannins contained in the product saturate the body with vitamin P and activate metabolic processes with the participation of vitamin C. The tannins properties of tannins allow you to use a coffee drink to treat stomach ulcers. Tannins add a bitter taste to the drink, which can be eliminated by drinking coffee with milk.

How the heart and blood vessels react to coffee

The product contains numerous components that affect the cardiovascular system. The use of a drink in large quantities leads to a short-term increase in blood pressure and tachycardia.

This property can cause irreparable harm in diseases of the heart and blood vessels. However, one cannot but note the positive product on the vessels. A reasonable dose of the drink strengthens the vascular walls and improves microcirculation.

Effects on the respiratory system

Some Health Facts

Moderate consumption of coffee has a positive effect on health:

• stimulates the central nervous system;
• activates the brain;
• stimulates muscle activity;
• increases muscle tissue tone;
• reduces stress and improves mood;
• activates metabolism;
• reduces appetite;
• improves digestion;
• normalizes microflora in the oral cavity and intestines;
• enhances the effect of antibacterial and painkillers;
• reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease;
• has anti-allergic effects;

prevents and inhibits the development of cancer cells.

Some facts about the harm to the body

Soluble types of coffee contain more acids, in comparison with natural (grain). So in them there are about 5.800 g of amino acids and 0.418 g of fatty per 100 g of powder. This affects the acidity of the gastric juice, causing heartburn, in addition, they negatively affect the health of the teeth, thinning tooth enamel. Evidence of this is the increased sensitivity of the teeth to hot and cold, to sour.

Coffee with milk.   Coffee with milk helps to reduce the effect of acids on teeth, since milk has an alkaline environment, which to some extent smoothes out the aggressiveness of acids. You can add to the finished drink not only cow, but also, which will reduce:

• coffee acidity
• its destructive effect on tooth enamel,
• reduce the likelihood of heartburn,
• reduce the degree of staining of the teeth.

Manufacturers in the process of technology add dyes to all types of instant coffee so that its color matches the natural one. Even the most expensive freeze-dried coffee contains a fraction of dyes that affect the whiteness of teeth. In this regard, coffee with milk somewhat protects teeth from the deposition of dyes on enamel. But in any case, experts recommend brushing your teeth after a cup of coffee.

There is a risk of harm from excessive consumption of coffee, in other cases even a one-time overdose of coffee drinks can lead to:

• increased heart rate;
• dizziness
• weaknesses;
• nausea
• decreased vision clarity;
• loss of consciousness or orientation.

These symptoms can occur when using a product with a caffeine content of at least 600 mg, which causes an excess of adrenaline and increased pressure on the vessels.

Numerous studies show that the systematic use of a drink in large quantities cannot contribute to the onset of diseases, but can lead to an exacerbation of chronic pathologies.

When using a drink, care should be taken when:

• chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system and pancreas;
• during pregnancy and lactation;
• regular psychological overload, in order to avoid excessive excitation of the nervous system.

Coffee for women and men

For a more vulnerable and sensitive female body, even 3 cups of coffee per day will have a tangible effect:

• reduce the risk of ovarian cancer by 20%;
• eliminate headaches caused by changes in weather or pressure drops.

Drinking during pregnancy is a controversial issue. An increase in muscle tone of the uterus caused by the drink can lead to premature birth. On the other hand, its moderate use prevents the risk of fetal death.

Specialists so far can not come to an unequivocal opinion about the impact of a coffee drink on men. Some of them believe that as a result of its excessive use in the body of the stronger sex, female hormone - estrogen accumulates, which negatively affects potency.

Other scientists have the exact opposite opinion. Their argumentation is based on the stimulating effect of the product and, as a consequence, increased sperm motility, which leads to increased sexual desire and an increased likelihood of fertilization.

For the elderly, moderate consumption of coffee in the absence of contraindications reduces the risk of sclerosis and a decrease in thinking functions.

The widespread opinion about the benefits of coffee for weight loss, is not justified. Indeed, it improves metabolic processes, but does not contain fat-burning ingredients. For the figure, the benefit of the drink is manifested only against the background of active physical exercises.

Frequently asked questions and answers to them:

How much instant coffee can I drink per day?

When consumed up to 4 cups per day, the drink will have a positive effect on the body. With increasing dosage, the stimulating effect of the product ceases, and the destructive effect begins to appear.

How many calories does a drink contain in a teaspoon?

A teaspoon of instant coffee in dry form contains from 5 to 6 Kcal. When sugar, cream and other ingredients are added to the drink, this data increases.

How much caffeine does a cup of coffee contain?

A cup of instant coffee contains 60–100 mg of caffeine based on 10 g of powder per 150 water.

Which coffee is better?

If we consider this issue in terms of composition and quality, it is better - freeze-dried coffee, in which the composition of the beneficial properties is richer, there are slight differences in caffeine content, in comparison with powder or granulated. It has a somewhat peculiar taste and smell, slightly different from natural. Many people like it, but real connoisseurs do not recognize this coffee.

And if we talk about the usefulness of the drink, then the drink made from grains is considered the best gourmet. Natural coffee has the greatest healing effect on the body, allowing you to feel vigor and energy, an unsurpassed aroma and exquisite taste.

Instant coffee, the benefits and harms of which are now known, is a product that is not quite ordinary due to production technology and high caffeine content. It also has a beneficial effect on the body, however, its excessive use can lead to undesirable consequences.

Be attentive to your health!

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The debate about the dangers and benefits of such a world famous drink as coffee has been going on probably since its opening. And the opinions of scientists at the same time diverge, some of them insist on its exceptional usefulness for human health, and their opponents argue that coffee is a real evil, comparable to poison. In this article we will talk about the soluble form of this drink and try to determine whether it is really so harmful to our body.

Manufacture

Instant coffee is actually an extract. There are three types of such product: granular, powder and sublimated. The difference between them is only in the final stage of production.

Initially, coffee grains are crushed and boiled in special tanks. The resulting concentrate is then dried under high pressure. The finished powder is just a powder coffee - the cheapest in production.

For the manufacture of granular coffee, the powder is further steamed, resulting in the formation of granules. The freeze-dried product is obtained after freezing (dehydration) and subsequent crushing into small particles.

Various grains, for example, barley, are usually added to powder coffee; therefore, the percentage of pure product in such a mixture rarely exceeds 15%. This production is absolutely legal, but the manufacturer must indicate the composition on the package.

Quite a lot of fakes are also found among coffee bags, if you want to buy a quality product, give preference to freeze-dried coffee. It will never be cheap, because expensive varieties are used for its manufacture.

In order to check the quality indicators of the selected drink - just prepare it. High-quality coffee will dissolve in hot water completely, without the slightest residue. If anything remains at the bottom of the cup, these are various additives.

If you have already thought about the futility of instant coffee and plan to refuse it, remember that the negative qualities of this product are more related to powder and granular types. If you have the opportunity - buy a freeze-dried drink from one manufacturer, making sure that it is natural.

Caffeine

Many people drink instant coffee only because they are confident in the beneficial properties of caffeine. This substance is able to drive away drowsiness and add vigor, and you can not argue with this in any way. However, many emphasize another property of caffeine - the ability to accelerate the breakdown of fats and reduce appetite. But, unfortunately, such properties are characteristic only for classic brewed coffee, and instant coffee cannot boast of them in any way.

It is important to consider that caffeine is able to raise blood pressure. Therefore, if you suffer from hypotension - low blood pressure, then having a cup of aromatic coffee, you will feel much better. But with hypertension, such a consumption can be fraught with a sharp jump in pressure indicators and even the development of a hypertensive crisis.

In addition to caffeine, instant coffee contains a special substance - benzopyrene resin, and its amount directly depends on the degree of roasting of beans. This substance negatively affects the functioning of our body.

Contraindications

Future mothers need to be especially careful in matters of consumption of instant coffee, since the high intake of caffeine in the body can harm the developing fetus. Statistics confirm that those lovers of a fragrant drink who regularly drank it during pregnancy often give birth to babies with reduced body weight.

Instant coffee is also dangerous if a person has any ailments of the cardiovascular and genitourinary system, kidneys and gastrointestinal tract. It is not worth drinking in old age, since it can not only exacerbate various dormant diseases, but also provoke insomnia and even cause the development of peptic ulcer or gastritis. The latter properties are explained by the fact that caffeine affects the mucous membranes of the stomach in an irritating manner.

The consumption of caffeinated substances causes severe nervous excitement in children, as they have a negative effect on the emerging nervous system.

Effect on the figure

Instant coffee contains many preservatives and some of them can trigger the development of cellulite. Most nutritionists advise you to completely abandon this drink at the weight loss stage in order to achieve the most effective result.

Scientists are still working on questions about the dangers and benefits of instant coffee. In addition to the benefits for patients with hypotension, this drink has another noticeable plus - it provokes the synthesis of endorphin, the so-called hormone of happiness. This effect is achieved by increasing the concentration of serotonin in the blood. In addition, instant coffee can be very easily prepared, and in our crazy time it is also a significant positive quality.

So, the usefulness and harm of instant coffee can only be assessed applicable to each individual person. Much depends not only on needs and desires, but also on the physical and emotional state. When consuming coffee, you need to remember moderation, then you can get the most out of it and the least harm.

More than half of the total amount of coffee that is drunk in the world every year is an instant drink. Moreover, people constantly talk about whether it is harmful or not. They are interested in issues such as: what is the composition of this product, what is the technology of its manufacture, who should not drink it and why. Below you can learn more about this type of coffee.

How to make instant coffee and what is it?

It is important to note that this is a drink made from coffee beans, which, with the help of various technological processes, are transformed into a substance dissolved in water. Instant coffee may take the form of granules or powder. After adding boiling water, a drink is obtained that, by all characteristics, is similar to grain coffee. It is important to note that some manufacturers of instant coffee, in addition to dehydration, also carry out decaffeination - a decrease in caffeine content.

According to the technology for making the beverage, the coffee beans are first thoroughly roasted, ground and poured with hot water. The resulting concentrated drink must be dried. For this process, choose one of several popular methods:

1. Freeze-ride After processing, freeze-dried or frozen coffee is obtained. It is produced by the method of "freeze drying." Cold-processed coffee crystals are completely dehydrated by sublimation in a vacuum space. This complex process perfectly preserves the components of the extract. However, due to the difficult and energy-intensive processing method, it is much more expensive compared to other varieties of instant coffee drink.
2. Spray ride. This is a popular powder coffee, which is obtained using the "spray drying" method. The coffee extract is carefully sprayed in a stream of hot air. As a result, it dries and we get coffee powder.
3. Aggregation. Thanks to this method, granulated or agglomerated coffee, which is popular all over the world, is obtained. It is important to note that it is made using the spray drying method with aggregation. This unique process is the wetting of coffee powder in order to subsequently produce granulated coffee.

It is important to note that there is at least one instant coffee manufacturer that offers customers a product in the form of a concentrated liquid from which coffee can be made.

What is the calorie content and BJU of instant coffee?

The nutritional value of instant coffee

How much coffee is instant coffee and is there caffeine in it?

Often instant coffee is preferred to grain for quite objective reasons. And it's not only the cost, but also the amount of caffeine. Some people mistakenly believe that it is much less in granular or powder coffee, therefore, it is more useful. But this is by no means the case. The thing is that it is in the drink in question that this substance is as much as in natural grain. For comparison: if just prepared coffee has about 90 mg per 100 ml, then instant coffee has about 68 mg.

However, there may be even less caffeine in a brewed drink, because if you cook it quickly in a Turk and bring it to a boil once, then the concentration of this substance will be less high. But when brought to a boil about two times, the coffee turns out to be more saturated, aromatic and, accordingly, harmful.

By all parameters and properties, caffeine is a rather complex substance that can affect the general condition of a person in the most negative way. It activates the nervous system, gives vigor, but, despite this, it can provoke the occurrence of arterial hypertension. Despite this, coffee is indicated for hypotonics, as it is famous for its ability to influence low blood pressure.

This delicious drink is also able to improve mood due to its content of serotonin. This substance is also called the "hormone of happiness." It is not recommended to abuse coffee, as more than two cups a day can provoke dependence on caffeine. And with a complete rejection of the drink, the body will be in the so-called state of withdrawal. During this period, a person feels apathy and aggression, lethargy and drowsiness. In addition, headaches may appear.

Instant coffee contains a fairly large amount of caffeine and all kinds of dyes. But manufacturers of a cheaper product save on it at all and try to replace natural coffee with other components. It should be noted that the natural product does not contain any preservatives or flavorings.

One of the most fatal effects on the body is an increase in the acidity of the stomach. It is for this reason that doctors forbid this drink to their patients who suffer from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

If you drink it wisely, you can, on the contrary, improve the performance of the stomach and intestines. Some overweight women believe in its ability to accelerate metabolism, which helps get rid of centimeters at the waist and hips. But experts from the field of beauty argue that excessive consumption of coffee reduces skin tone, as a result of which it becomes flabby and cellulite forms on it.

He also washes an impressive amount of vitamins, nutrients from the human body, and he also loses vital water. If a person constantly drinks this drink for five or more years, then he becomes completely dependent on him. His skin also acquires a dull, dehydrated and painful appearance.

Tip. In order not to get an undesirable dependence on coffee, doctors recommend drinking it no more than one cup per day.

Freeze-dried and instant coffee: what is the difference between them?

At the moment, in supermarkets you can find several varieties of instant coffee. This is a drink in the form of powder, granules and a freeze-dried variety. The most expensive is the latter. It can be recognized by compressed, slightly shining particles. This type of drink retains all the qualities of coffee beans.

* To view the full table on a mobile phone, move left-right

Is instant coffee harmful to the body?

To understand the negative aspects of this unique drink, it is necessary to speak on the basis of two main aspects: psychological and physical. It is important to note that with regular use of instant coffee, addiction to it occurs. For many, this drink is associated with rest, relaxation, pleasure, so when you stop using it, a person becomes completely dissatisfied. And this signals that a person has a certain dependence on coffee. That is why, in order to fill this void, a person begins to drink more and more. Over the years, the current situation has fundamentally worsened - in the morning it is difficult for him to wake up and give up another cup of a fragrant drink. A little later, certain physical health problems begin to be traced.

All varieties of instant coffee are dangerous enemies of all organs and systems of the body. First of all, the vulnerable nervous system suffers. Some medical professionals argue that coffee does provoke a drug-like addiction. A person is not able to start working without a cup of an invigorating drink, he becomes irritable, aggressive. Pronounced deviations in behavior appear. Over time, not receiving the next dose of coffee, he falls into a serious condition called depression.

As for the health of internal organs, many people know that the type of coffee in question is capable of oxidizing the body. Subsequently, certain diseases of the stomach, liver, pancreas and intestines appear. A person can get diseases such as gastritis and ulcers. In addition, the drink negatively affects the state of the gallbladder. Also, experts do not recommend drinking coffee on an empty stomach. Because of this, intoxication of the body may appear. In order for instant coffee to do no harm, you need to drink it after eating.

Do not forget that this product is able to dehydrate the body. The drink has a strong diuretic effect. Against the background of constant use of the drink, leaching of calcium from the human skeleton is traced. Doctors recommend drinking a glass of clean water about ten minutes after a cup of coffee.

Everyone knows that coffee, especially instant coffee, should not be drunk for those who have problems with the heart and blood vessels. It is also especially harmful if you drink it while smoking a cigarette or other tobacco product.

In fact, which coffee is healthier: ground or instant, and how do they differ?

Many people think that natural ground coffee is more beneficial. But is it so, let's see a comparison of these drinks in the table:

From this information we can conclude that ground coffee is much more useful, since all useful substances and vitamins are stored in it.

Tip. Some brands of elite instant coffee can boast of preserving vitamins, minerals and some useful substances in its composition. This is due to the use of special technologies. But such coffee is even more expensive than ground coffee and cannot be found in our supermarkets.

Can I drink expired instant coffee? Expiration date

Many people wonder how and for how long instant coffee can be stored. Still relevant is the question: is it possible to drink a drink with an expired shelf life and what consequences it can lead to.

The duration of storage of instant coffee directly depends on the type and conditions. With this type of drink, things are much better. Typically, the average shelf life of instant coffee is two years. This is due to the fact that during its manufacture the product is processed using high temperature conditions. Moreover, an impressive percentage of the oils available in natural coffee simply disappears from the drink during the manufacturing process.

It is important to note that the natural components in the product in question are replaced by analogues of chemical origin. But, nevertheless, the opened packaging should not be stored for longer than 20 days. During this time period, all components that are natural simply disappear from the coffee. You can increase the shelf life when moving the drink into a special hermetically sealed container. In such a container, it can be stored for 90 days.

Instant coffee with milk: the benefits and harms of a popular drink

There are several ways to make instant coffee with milk. Moreover, it is the recipe that can affect the benefit or harm of the drink.

It should be noted that the benefits of coffee with milk will be greater if you drink it without sugar. It is in this component that the harm that it can cause to the human body lies. In other words, two natural products: coffee and milk cannot harm your health. For this reason, this drink can be considered useful.

It is recommended to drink to people who suffer from low blood pressure. In addition, it will help to quickly restore strength and feel a surge of vigor. Caffeine has the ability to flush calcium from the body, but milk will help restore its balance. For this reason, the combination of these products is called very successful.

As for the harm of the drink, coffee can negatively affect the performance and condition of the heart and blood vessels. It is not recommended to abuse coffee. It is also forbidden to use it for people who have lactose intolerance.

Can instant coffee be pregnant or not?

As noted earlier, some experts attribute coffee to the category of narcotic substances, since it provokes addiction. Women who are in an interesting position only endanger their lives when they decide to have a cup of aromatic drink. In addition, the fetal life at this point is also at risk.

The constant use of coffee leads to a lot of problems. It leaches calcium from the fetus, which prevents the formation of its musculoskeletal system. But the negative impact of the drink can provoke complications in the mental development of the unborn child.

Few people know, but in a soluble drink there is a high concentration of benzopyrene resins. And this, as you know, increases the risk of miscarriage.

Tip. Do not forget that any instant coffee, even from the elite category, can cause irreparable harm to an unborn child. Therefore, do not endanger his life.

The main symptoms of an instant coffee allergy

Intolerance to caffeine and other components of instant coffee deserves special attention. Many people do not even have a clue that they may have intolerance to this product. Therefore, they do not exclude it from their own diet. Allergies can occur both spontaneously and constantly occur. The only way out of the situation when an allergy to this drink was diagnosed is a complete rejection of it.

As for the symptoms, it resembles a reaction to certain foods. Among the most common signs of intolerance to this product are the following:

• the appearance of itchy spots on the skin, urticaria;
• shortness of breath, coughing, sneezing;
• bloating, hiccups, digestive problems.

In addition, an allergic reaction can manifest itself in the form of unpleasant chills, pain in the heart muscle, and migraine. Even with an irritant, a person can even react to the smell of coffee: as a rule, he sneezes and chokes him. These symptoms are quite alarming. It is very important to pay attention to them, since this can be a rather alarming sign. If a strange reaction to a drink appears, it is necessary to abandon its use and consult a personal doctor. He will prescribe special anti-allergenic drugs that will relieve the symptoms of the disease. Do not forget that it is impossible to cure coffee intolerance.

It should be noted that an allergy to a product such as instant coffee can occur completely suddenly and be taken by surprise. Moreover, it does not happen once. It can become a recurring phenomenon. Typically, manifestations of intolerance directly depend on the type and type of coffee. It is a soluble drink that provokes the most severe allergic reactions. After using it, blisters, flaky spots, rashes, and redness may appear on the skin. Usually they appear on the face and head. Often, patients note swelling, severe pain in the abdomen, diarrhea, and shortness of breath. These symptoms indicate the appearance of allergic gastroenteritis. In more severe and dangerous cases, an allergic reaction to instant coffee is accompanied by fever, fever, and Quincke's edema.

A person may experience allergy symptoms not because of a component such as caffeine, but because of the presence of impurities, dyes, flavors, and other chemical components in the drink. Abuse of instant coffee can cause serious gall bladder problems.

Often people have an aversion to the smell of a drink. Moreover, it can provoke not only nausea, but also vomiting.

Tip. When allergies occur, you need to start taking strong antihistamines. An allergic patient should always have Suprastin at hand. After this, it is recommended to consult your doctor.

Can I give my mom instant coffee?

Caffeine is harmful to newborns, so it should not enter their body along with breast milk. This is due to the fact that the internal organs of the child are simply not able to absorb this substance. For this reason, you can get a lot of problems. But, this only applies to cases when newly mummies abuse this drink.

With moderate use of coffee, there will be no problems. Among other things, a substance called caffeine is found not only in drinks, but also in foods such as chocolate, black and green tea. Moreover, it is green tea that has more caffeine than coffee. But, nevertheless, lactation is not the reason for rejecting it.

Unfortunately, when drinking coffee while breastfeeding, there is a chance of an allergy in the baby. It is important to carefully monitor the condition of the baby, especially in the first hours after feeding.

Coffee for a nursing mother should be only high-quality and natural. If you prefer a soluble drink, then it should not be cheap. Powdered and granular coffee is not recommended at all for obvious reasons. If this rule is neglected, then the life and health of the infant can be seriously endangered. The consequence of the use of low-grade coffee can be: a strong allergic reaction, itching and urticaria in the baby.

It is advisable to refuse this drink in order to completely eliminate the likelihood of undesirable consequences.

From this article we can conclude that it is better to give preference to natural coffee. It is advisable to simply buy grains and grind them yourself. Only in this case, you can be sure of the quality and benefits of this product. But instant coffee should be completely abandoned. It contains the minimum percentage of natural grains, instead of which there are dyes and flavorings that can harm the body and provoke the appearance of a strong allergic reaction. As you can understand from all the information above, during pregnancy and breastfeeding, any type of coffee should be completely abandoned.

Dear readers, hello! Today instant coffee is in every home. Perhaps a very small number of people will be typed who do not like this fragrant and awakening drink. Many people prefer strong black coffee without sugar, someone loves sweet with cream, and true gourmets try it in combination with various spices and additives (with cinnamon, cognac, lemon, and salt). Instant coffee is very easy to use at home. It is enough to warm the water, put in the cup the required number of spoons of coffee, pour boiling water and the tasty drink is ready. But few of us think about how it acts on our body, is beneficial or harmful, and is there caffeine? In this article I will tell you in detail which coffee brings great health benefits, who is harmful and what it is made of.

It is believed that the inventor of instant coffee was New Zealander David Strang. In 1890, he not only invented this drink, but also patented it. There are other data in which the inventor of coffee is (in early 1901) a scientist from Japan Satori Kato. After the invention, progress did not stand still, and already in 1906, a chemist from England developed the first coffee for serial production and sale. Since then, it has spread all over the world, and has become a favorite drink of modern humanity.
  Do you know, dear readers, that the well-known brand of Nescafe coffee has been the most famous and widespread brand since 1938. It appeared thanks to the joint efforts of the famous company Nestle and the government of Brazil.

Instant Coffee Health Benefits

Scientists from ancient times constantly study all aspects of the influence of coffee on the human body as a whole. Instant coffee can bring both great benefits and great harm to health. The influence of this drink directly depends on the individual characteristics of the body of each person. It's no secret that the main substance of coffee is caffeine, the use of which significantly raises blood pressure. From this it follows that it can cause hypertension, but a person with low blood pressure can relieve lethargy, give strength and increase pressure. Let's look at the harm and benefits in order and in more detail.

Benefit

The body benefits from taking coffee. According to some reports, this drink contains antioxidants and vasodilators. Drinking coffee with milk can eliminate heartburn. Most people are afraid to drink black coffee, as it tends to stain tooth enamel. There is a way out - drink instant coffee with the addition of milk (enamel will not acquire a yellowish tint).
  Black strong coffee is very useful for people whose work is related to thinking, as it increases acumen, improves vitality, eliminates lethargy and increases pressure.

Harm

Unlimited consumption of coffee can cause significant harm to the body. Since this delicious drink is able to dehydrate the body, the condition of the skin suffers because of this. The skin looks dry and flabby. Instant coffee can not be attributed to natural products, so it can undermine the health of the body as a whole.
The main harm that coffee can cause is an increase in blood pressure, leaching of nutrients, and irritation of the gastric mucosa. It is harmful to women during pregnancy, as well as to children. Also, you should not drink this drink to people suffering from sleep disorders, because caffeine increases nervous excitability.

Calorie instant coffee

100 grams of instant coffee contains approximately 120 kcal. If you monitor your weight, then do not drink it more than 1 cup per day. 1 teaspoon contains 6 kcal, from here you can calculate the calorie content of the prepared drink, based on how many teaspoons of dry product you use to make coffee.

The nutritional value of instant coffee per 100 g. dry product:

• Proteins - 15 g;
• Fats - 3.5 g;
• Carbohydrates - 7 g.

In addition to fats, proteins and carbohydrates, coffee contains riboflavin, niacin, calcium, sodium, phosphorus and iron.

How to make instant coffee

The technology for making instant coffee is very simple: the beans of the coffee tree are first roasted, then ground and processed with boiling water. It turns out concentrated freshly brewed coffee. But they dry it in various ways:

• Freeze-dried is obtained by freeze-drying. The obtained frozen crystals are dehydrated in vacuo. This type of coffee is considered the most delicious and healthy, but its price is much higher than other methods;
• Powder is made by spraying a concentrated drink. In hot air, it dries quickly in powder form;
• Granulated is an ordinary powder coffee that has undergone an aggregation process (the powder is wetted to obtain granules).

The price of powdered coffee is the lowest, granular coffee is more expensive, but freeze-dried is the most expensive type of instant coffee.

Recently, more and more assortment of instant coffee appears on store shelves every day. You can even buy a soluble drink, where after adding boiling water, you get coffee with foam. This drink will appeal to people who love a delicate and mild taste.

How much coffee is instant coffee

Although instant coffee is made from natural coffee beans, there is almost no instant coffee. The thing is that for its manufacture using raw materials of low quality and poor grade.

There are two types of coffee: arabica (expensive variety) and robusta (cheap variety). So for a soluble drink, they usually take robusta. After various treatments, the finished product is completely devoid of the most important in coffee - coffee oils. It is they who give coffee that very natural and unsurpassed taste and aroma.

The instant drink is enriched with various additives that help the powder acquire the taste and aroma of real coffee.

Instant coffee - which is better

Of course, many readers have a question: which is better to buy coffee and how much it costs. It is clear that nothing can compare with natural ground black coffee brewed in a Turk. But judging by the polls, most people prefer to drink instant coffee. The best coffee is freeze-dried. It should cost at least 300 rubles. Quality cannot cost a little. It is proved that expensive brands of coffee contain twice as much caffeine, so their taste is noticeably different from a cheap drink. If we talk about batch coffee, such as a 3-in-1 bag, then there is no coffee at all, only flavors and artificial additives.

Today even ground coffee is produced in instant. This drink has a richer taste and aroma.

How to make instant coffee

There are many recipes for making instant coffee. It is also prepared with ice, cinnamon, cognac, vanilla, cream and milk, and so on.

How to choose the right instant coffee

Well, the last tip. How to choose instant coffee.

Good coffee is always packed in a tin or glass jar. Pay attention to the granules - they must be even, there should be no powder at the bottom. Responsible manufacturers always indicate on the label the degree of roasting beans, a variety of coffee beans.
  If 100% natural coffee is indicated, do not take it. Right and right - 100% arabica.
  You can check the quality of coffee at home. Just pour a spoonful of coffee in cold water. If the coffee is of high quality, then it will dissolve quickly, without leaving various impurities.

Dear readers, now you have learned that instant coffee can bring both health benefits and harm. And whether to drink it or not, the choice is yours.

By definition, instant coffee, the benefits and harms of which cause a heated debate among scientists, marketers and nutritionists, is a drink made from coffee beans, which, through special technology, are converted into soluble powder, or, more correctly, into granules.

There are not many large manufacturers of instant coffee in the world, and each of them has its own secret of processing raw materials to produce a drink.

In general, the technology looks like this: first, the refined grains are fried, mixed with water and heated for a while. Then the suspension is separated from the grains and processed in two ways:

• In the high-temperature method, a powder is obtained from it, which is either left in this form, or poured with steam to obtain granules;
• With the low-temperature method - sublimation - excess moisture is removed by freezing, crushing and placing in a vacuum

The resulting mixture contains, as a rule, a large proportion of dyes, preservatives, flavorings, unlike natural coffee beans: 80-90% of the mixture can be made up of similar additives. The remainder is low-quality grains of the robusta variety - cheaper and more caffeinated than relatively high-quality arabica. Therefore, most often, after drinking such a drink, a person does not feel cheerfulness, but rather the desire to sleep.

History of Instant Coffee

According to various sources, the first instant coffee was made in Chicago by an American of Japanese origin Satori Kato in the period from 1899 to 1901. Coffee was intended for soldiers and therefore did not go into wide production.

Thanks to Max Morgenthaller, a Nestlé chemist and technologist who improved Satori technology, instant coffee went onto industrial rails. The first time the novelty appeared on the shelves under the name "Red E Coffee" in 1909. And only in 1938 the world famous brand Nescafe was formed, close to the top of world coffee domination.

Types of Instant Coffee

The choice of instant coffee is limited to three types (and in most Russian stores - one or two):

• sublimated;
• granular;
• powdery

The first is considered to be the most “quality” of them, since due to its structure it preserves the quality of the initial raw product a little more.

Freeze-dried instant coffee, its benefits and harms are more shifted towards benefits, are more expensive in production, since the technology of its production is quite costly and fundamentally different from the other two types. Ground coffee is mixed with water, then frozen, separated from the liquid, resulting in "tiles". Then the latter grind again. With this production method, the properties of grains are best preserved, allowing to minimize the addition of preservatives, dyes, flavorings.

Powdered coffee cheap in every sense: low-cost production, not rich aroma, achieved by flavorings, “liquid” due to the abundance of dyes color. So that the buyer can pour it into his cup, finely ground grains under vacuum are passed through a liquid and dried, increasing in volume and turning into powder.

Granulated coffee  - the same powder, but it has undergone steam treatment twice and is reminiscent of fine granules with an even worse smell and taste than powdered instant coffee, but better soluble.

The benefits of instant coffee

Even such an ambiguous product as instant coffee, the benefits and harms of which are still not clearly defined, has undeniable advantages.

Firstly, speed: the time taken to pour out the contents of the bag and fill it with water and carefully prepare natural coffee beans differs by an order of magnitude.

Secondly, simplicity: cooking technology is also much easier.

Thirdlystorage: grains require compliance with more difficult storage conditions and may remain less usable than soluble powder.

Fourth, the combination of the first three points with the smell of a soluble product, for a non-connoisseur almost identical to coffee beans, gives the feeling “why complicate your life?”

Other advantages are not so indisputable

• Like any caffeinated drink, instant coffee can improve the well-being of people suffering from hypotension;
• By increasing the blood serotonin content - the hormone of happiness - instant coffee invigorates and improves mood;
• Since a cup of coffee contains virtually no calories, it is considered to be a diet drink that helps to lose weight;
• A kind of cult, actively supported by the media and coffee maker giants, glorifies the morning ritual of “a cup of coffee to help wake up”

Cons of instant coffee

The harm of instant coffee is scientifically proven.

Scientists have found that preservatives, which contain all types of instant coffee without exception, have an extremely negative effect on the course of metabolic processes. Even the alleged dietary benefits are offset by the risk of cellulite in the most unnecessary places.

If a person suffering from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, and especially the stomach, begins to drink instant coffee on an ongoing basis, then from the very first days he will feel a sharp deterioration in well-being. The substances that make up this product negatively affect the gastric mucosa and lead first to the development of gastritis, and then to peptic ulcer. This is due to a sudden increase in acidity and an acceleration of digestion. By the way, because of the latter, weight loss can be noted in the early stages. But in the near future 2-4 kilograms lost will turn into the same diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and, as a result, deterioration and general lethargy of the skin.

If a person stubbornly continues to eat instant coffee, Since this product causes a certain addiction, and not one cup a day, it methodically dehydrates its body, simultaneously depriving it of iron, potassium, calcium and other vitamins, minerals and useful substances necessary for life. And together with a depressing condition of the skin, it can become like a chronic patient or an alcoholic (swelling, bags under the eyes are attached).

But is it?
  To reduce the cost of production, companies are replacing a drink devoid of coffee in the production process of coffee oils with synthetic or, at best, not so valuable natural oils.

In the end, what good can be extracted from grains undergoing several hours of hydro- and heat treatment?

It is widely known that deep roasting in grains increases the content of benzopyrene, a resin harmful to the human body.

Caffeine, which was originally the goal of buying a drink, will not necessarily be natural, and its percentage may be greater than in a regular cup of coffee from beans.

Some nutritionists attribute coffee - and instant coffee, respectively - to drugs, which is true only one third. Of the three addictions that the drug should cause - physical, psychological and addictive - coffee drinks correspond only to the latter.

Who should not be categorically

1. For elderly people: hypertension, coupled with insomnia - two bosom friends of caffeinated drugs;
2. People with heart disease, gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary system, kidneys. Violation of metabolic processes can trigger a sudden deterioration and the transition of the disease to the acute stage;
3. To the children. This is due to the effect of coffee on the nervous system, which in children is not yet formed;
4. Pregnant women. If you want coffee strongly, then you should choose a quality cereal drink in an amount of not more than one or two cups. In large doses, the use of coffee will lead to impaired normal metabolism in the body of the expectant mother;
5. It is categorically contraindicated for drivers, since it may not cause vigor, but an irresistible and inconspicuous desire to fall asleep right behind the wheel.

In search of a compromise

If you want coffee very much, and in the nearest store or at hand there is only a soluble drink, it is advisable to perform a quality check.

To begin with - evaluate the appearance of the contents of the bag. Coffee powder should dissolve without precipitate in water - and the faster this happens, the higher the quality of the product. Granulated coffee should be uniform, with the same size of granules.

Smell and taste should not have the shades of "chemistry" as much as possible.

If you have to drink instant coffee in the morning, it is highly recommended to eat something before that, add milk to the cup with the drink and drink a glass of water after 15-30 minutes. Thus, the harm of instant coffee is partially neutralized: increased secretion of gastric juice and leaching of calcium from the body.

Total

Every day in the world more than two billion people drink coffee, of which 50% prefer instant coffee. Whether instant coffee is harmful, everyone decides for himself. A person makes his choice based on needs and opportunities, but it is better to give preference to more natural products, rather than surrogate substitutes for the original drink. After all, as they say, you cannot buy a new life and you will not return your lost health.