Considered by many the drink of happiness, coffee has many benefits and, as winter approaches, it becomes even more necessary
It can be plain, with milk, with chocolate, hot, warm or even iced. Whatever it is, 9 in 10 Brazilians love coffee.
Besides being tasty and having a unique aroma, it brings countless benefits. According to nutritionist Maria Contri, moderate consumption of coffee (four to five 1.5 oz cups a day) is no harm. “What we recommend is that people with gastric problems, sensitivity to caffeine, pregnant women and children consume it less”, she said.
Coffee brings several benefits as it is nutritionally rich. Besides caffeine, it also has a high concentration of polyphenols, which prevent or help decrease action from free radicals.
Speaking of caffeine, which is a stimulant and therefore used by athletes and people who exercise, there are studies which demonstrate it can increase fat burning: “Caffeine increases adrenaline blood levels so there is an increase in fat cells break in the body”, commented Contri.
Studies also show that it enhances alertness and improves memory and concentration. Because of caffeine and these benefits, coffee is considered a natural antidepressant. According to Dr. Maria Contri, caffeine stimulates our central nervous system, and so it helps increase the production of neurotransmitters of the hormones that cause the feeling of well-being, like serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline.
And with the arrival of cold days, there’s nothing better than coffee – plain, with milk, or chocolate – to get you warm.
How about a Mocaccino?
Ingredients:
2 teaspoons instant coffee
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons chocolate powder
Milk
Instructions:
Mix sugar, coffee, and drops of milk and stir until it turns yellowish.
Add chocolate and mix well.
Finally, add boiling milk.
If you prefer, replace sugar with condensed milk.
(Source: Maria Contri – Nutritionist)
