Sometimes, hot coffee isn’t the kind of beverage you want. For instance, you’re less likely to crave a hot beverage during the hot summer season.
All you’ll want during hot days is a cool beverage. As a coffee lover, you can simply switch to cold brew whenever you want a cold drink but you don’t want to forego coffee.
Basically, cold brew is made by soaking coarse ground coffee in cold water for at least 12 hours. Once the brew is ready, it’s strained with a fine-mesh sieve or a clean cloth.
The final product is a highly concentrated cold brew. It’s diluted to make it drinkable. The concentrated brew can also be refrigerated for later use.
Cold brew will keep your body cool while still offering numerous health benefits like hot coffee. In this article, you’ll get to know the benefits of drinking cold brew.
Benefits of Cold Brew Coffee
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Enhances mood
Cold brew contains caffeine like hot coffee. Research shows that consuming caffeine enhances mood, especially for anyone who’s deprived of sleep. After reviewing several studies on the effect of drinking coffee among depressed people, it’s evident that a single cup of coffee reduces depression by 8 percent.
Some studies suggest that consuming caffeine works as a nutritional-based supplement that boosts brain function and mood among older people. For instance, research shows that consuming 1.4 milligrams of caffeine for every pound of bodyweight enhances mood by about 17 percent for participants aged 63 to 74. Such a caffeine content can be found in about 2 cups of coffee.
Also, caffeine improved the ability of the participants to react to objects moving towards them. That’s to mean caffeine increases attentiveness and focus.
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Boosts metabolism and promotes weight loss
Metabolism refers to the process through which the body utilizes food to form energy. A higher metabolic rate results in burning more calories at rest. Cold brew is rich in caffeine like hot coffee. Caffeine is known to increase the metabolic rate at rest by about 11 percent. Caffeine boosts metabolism by increasing the rate at which the body burns fat. As a result, you’ll experience faster weight loss.
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Easier on the stomach
There’re several people who avoid coffee due to its acidity as it increases acid reflux, leading to stomach irritation. The acidic nature of coffee also causes heartburn and indigestion.
Research shows that cold brew is less acidic than hot coffee. The reason behind this is that brewing coffee at lower temperatures results in less extraction of coffee oils. Coffee oils contain acid. Thus, cold brew is less likely to irritate your stomach.
Also, cold brew contains crude polysaccharides, which are a form of carbohydrates that enhance the immunity of the digestive system. As a result, it reduces stomach irritation and other irritating issues related to high acidity in the stomach.
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Reduces the risk of developing neurodegenerative conditions
Cold brew benefits the brain in several ways. For instance, its caffeine content stimulates the nervous system. Also, it boosts the functioning of the brain. Research shows that consuming cold brew may protect the brain from diseases related to aging.
Research findings indicate that individuals who drink 3 to 5 cups of java daily during their mid-life enjoy a 65 percent reduced risk of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s in their old age. These neurodegenerative conditions result from the death of brain cells over time. Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s can cause dementia.
There’re several compounds making up coffee, including nonharman and harman compounds and phenylindanes that reduce the risk of these conditions.
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Reduces the risk of developing heart disease
Cold brew contains several compounds that help in reducing the risk of developing heart disease. These compounds include magnesium, caffeine, lignans, quinides, trigonelline, and phenolic compounds. These compounds work by increasing insulin sensitivity, stabilizing blood sugar levels, and lowering blood pressure.
Also, cold brew contains diterpenes and chlorogenic acids that act as anti-inflammatory compounds and antioxidants.
Research findings indicate that drinking 3 to 5 cups of java per day may reduce the risk of developing heart disease by about 15 percent. However, anyone who’s suffering from uncontrolled hypertension should reduce their caffeine intake as it can elevate their blood pressure levels.
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Rich in caffeine
Cold brew is a highly concentrated coffee. You’ll need to dilute it before drinking. A cup of cold brew contains approximately 200 milligrams of caffeine when undiluted. When diluted, its caffeine content is almost similar to that of a regular cup of coffee. However, the difference is insignificant. Regardless, caffeine boosts energy levels and keeps you awake.
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Reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes
When left untreated, type 2 diabetes can cause multiple health complications due to high blood sugar levels. You can reduce your likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes by drinking about 4 to 6 cups of cold brew coffee daily.
The chlorogenic acids in coffee, which are a form of antioxidants, are largely behind this reduced risk. Also, cold brew assists in regulating gut peptides, thereby controlling and slowing the digestion process. As a result, the blood sugar levels are stabilized.
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Reduces the risk of death
Cold brew reduces the risk of dying from certain diseases. It also reduces the overall likelihood of dying. Research shows that consuming more coffee lowers the risk of dying from respiratory disease, injuries, infections, heart disease, stroke, accidents, and diabetes. One of the main reasons for this benefit is the antioxidants in cold brew.
Also, antioxidants prevent the damage of body cells, thereby preventing conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. These conditions often reduce an individual’s lifespan.
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Easy to prepare
It’s very easy to make cold brew at home. You’ll only need to soak coarse coffee grounds in cold water for about 12 to 24 hours. Thereafter, you’ll filter the brew with a fine-mesh strainer. Dilute the cold brew concentrate before drinking it and refrigerate any extra concentrate in an airtight jar. You can refrigerate the concentrate for 1 to 2 weeks.
Final Words
If you’re looking for a hot coffee substitute during hot days, consider trying cold brew coffee. You can easily brew cold coffee at home. Besides, it offers several health benefits like hot coffee. Luckily enough, it’s less bitter and less acidic than regular coffee, making it a great choice for anyone sensitive to acidity. Besides, it can prolong your life, sharpen your brain function, and boost weight loss.
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