Could vending machine coffee be harming you?

Before you reach out for your next cup of machine coffee, it is important you keep some of these points in mind.

Love drinking coffee? Do you reach out for a cup to give you that extra boost ever so often? Well if you are one of those people who love to have this yummy brew from a coffee machine, then this post is for you. Coffee from a coffee machine may be a convenient alternative to traditional brews, but not everything about this kind of coffee is good. So, before you reach out for your next cup of machine coffee, some of its pros and cons may be worth considering.

How is coffee from a coffee machine different from normal coffee?

According to well-known dietician, Neha Chandna, coffee prepared in a vending machine is different from normal coffee only in the way it is processed. Filtered coffee is prepared by grinding roasted coffee beans and allowing boiling water and milk to flow into it. On the other hand, the major components that make your machine coffee are roasted coffee powder, milk powder, sugar and water. Also, the brewing time of machine coffee is much shorter than the filtered one.

Are there any side effects of drinking machine coffee?

• Neha says, Coffee from a vending machine is a stimulator that can make you alert and active but if you drink too much of it, this kind of coffee can cause anxiety and nervous instability.'
• Sometimes your machine coffee may contain added sugar and syrups, regular consumption of which can lead to weight gain. Being high in sugar it is also not advisable for diabetics.
• Additionally, drinking this coffee first thing in the morning may stimulate hydrochloric acid production in your stomach that may make it difficult for you to digest your meals and lead to acidity and heart burn. Other than that there are no major side effects of drinking machine coffee.

What are its benefits?

Machine coffee may offer you some health benefits, they are:

• Coffee prepared in an automatic coffee maker has very small amounts of cafestol, a substance that can elevate cholesterol. If you have a family history of heart disease or high cholesterol, a vending machine coffee can be a better option than filtered coffee. You can also make simple tweaks in your daily diet to keep cholesterol levels under control.
• It is commonly believed that caffeine might dehydrate you, but machine coffee may contribute towards your overall fluid intake as it has more water and less caffeine.

How many cups of machine coffee in a day are okay?

Our expert suggests consuming not more than 2-3 cups of coffee a day. Any more than that may disrupt your sleep cycles. For maximum benefits, drink black coffee as it keeps your cup low in calories. You may also like to read black vs regular coffee- which is better for your health.

In conclusion, machine coffee may not be all that bad for you but it is always best you limit how much you drink to avoid any side effects.

Image source: Getty Images

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