Cold brew coffee has low caffeine and high antioxidant capacity? Research results slap it in the face again!

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The idea that cold brewed coffee has lower caffeine content or higher antioxidant capacity is actually a myth. This is because temperature is more conducive to the solubility of many molecules and can change the structure of coffee powder, allowing many small molecules that were originally tightly held by coffee to be released. No matter what kind of coffee, as long as you drink it in moderation, it can be both relaxing and healthy.

Is it hot or cold brewed coffee that has more antioxidants? Most people would think it is cold brewed coffee, but scientific experiments have proven this to be wrong... Recently, a new research report tells us that hot brewed coffee has more antioxidants than cold brewed coffee.

This study published in Scientific Report tells us many facts about cold brew coffee, proving that many previous concepts of cold brew coffee in the coffee or food industry are actually misunderstandings. The following are the comparative results of the study after hot brewing and cold brewing of five origins (Brazil, two Ethiopian coffees, Colombia, Myanmar, and Mexico):

1. pH value (hot brew is slightly lower): The pH value of all four hot brews is lower than that of cold brew.

2. Acidity (hot brewing is higher): Hot brewing has more titratable acid than cold brewing

3. Coffee chlorogenic acid (high in hot brew): After analysis, hot brewed coffee contains a higher level of coffee chlorogenic acid

4. Antioxidant power (hot brewed coffee has higher antioxidant power): After analysis, hot brewed coffee has significantly higher antioxidant power

Except for the second point which is similar to the traditional understanding of cold brew coffee, the third and fourth points can be said to subvert the general public’s understanding of cold brew coffee. So in fact, hot brewed coffee contains more chlorogenic acid, an antioxidant with many functions, and its antioxidant capacity is also higher!

The author explains that this may be because temperature is still conducive to the solubility of many molecules, allowing them to dissolve from coffee into water; in addition, high temperature will also change the structure of coffee powder, allowing many small molecules that were originally tightly held by coffee to be released.

If caffeine is also taken into account, the misunderstanding of cold brew coffee is even more questionable. Because cold brew coffee is most often claimed to contain relatively low caffeine. In fact, in another study, it can be seen that a cup (355ml) of cold brew coffee contains about 207 mg of caffeine, while a cup of hot brewed coffee contains 142.5-495 mg of caffeine per cup, and espresso contains 75-225 mg of caffeine. So the caffeine content of cold brew coffee is just in the middle. In fact, the caffeine content has a lot to do with the bean type, origin, brewing method and machine model, and the variation can be said to be quite large. So it is not easy to say that cold brew coffee contains relatively low caffeine.

In fact, many masters' opinions on cold brew coffee are just misunderstandings. Just listen to them and don't take them too seriously. In short, no matter how you drink coffee or what kind of beans you drink, as long as you drink it in moderation, you can enjoy the leisure taste and have the effect of health preservation. So don't mistakenly think that cold brew coffee has a lower caffeine content or higher antioxidant capacity, and drink too much at once. Isn't it great to drink coffee happily and healthily?

Recommended reading:

Debunking 4 Myths About Cold Brew Coffee! Science Proves Hot Brew Coffee Is Better!

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