Here's What Happens When You Drink Espresso Every Day
Everyone loves their morning coffee, and everyone has their own version of what they consider their coffee drink. Some like it black or with milk, others drink lattes and may add flavors or sweet syrups. Many even drink the trendy Bulletproof coffee, which has butter and MCT oil in it. However, all of these different types of coffee affect the body differently. One example is espresso. There are health advantages for the daily latte and espresso drinkers that most people are probably not even aware of.
The difference between espresso and regular coffee is in the preparation process. Espresso is usually made using hot water and high pressure, which requires more finely ground beans than regular coffee. Espresso is then served as a shot, or, for a latte, a shot with steamed milk (via The Kitchn).
Studies have already shown that drinking coffee has health benefits as long as you don't drink more than six cups a day. Those benefits include decreased risk of stroke, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. With espresso, a concern for many is the amount of caffeine they are consuming.
In general, the more caffeine in your coffee, the more likely you are to have side effects from the caffeine. The standard serving of espresso for most coffee shops is two shots. Those two shots actually have less caffeine, at approximately 150 milligrams, than a regular 16-ounce cup of coffee, at 330 mg (via Huff Post).
The caffeine and acid content of espresso
When it comes to caffeine, every person is different. Everyone metabolizes caffeine differently, which results in various effects on the body. This is why some people can drink coffee late at night and still sleep while others can't. Among the potential effects of caffeine are insomnia, anxiety, and feeling jittery.
Another concern with espresso is the level of acidity. It seems logical to think that a more concentrated form of coffee would have more acid. However, just as the assumption about espresso having more caffeine is wrong, the idea of espresso being more acidic is also incorrect. Espresso is actually less acidic than regular coffee.
Acid levels are a major concern for many, as those with acid reflux or other esophageal or intestinal issues can trigger them if they consume foods or beverages that are too acidic. Again, espresso is the better choice for everyday consumption, as a study found that espresso, as well as other dark roasted coffees, may be less irritating because they contain a compound called N-methylpyridium that is only produced during the roasting process, which inhibits the production of stomach acid.
Health benefits of espresso
There are also health benefits to espresso. A study from the University of California found that drinking the equivalent of two espressos enhanced memory consolidation. This then improved long-term memory in the subjects. However, the study did not find improvements for those who drank more than two cups (via Lifehack).
Espresso has also been found to improve attention span. This is thought to be the result of a neurochemical interaction. Espresso, as well as coffee, causes an increased concentration of dopamine in the brain, particularly the areas linked to attention. These benefits are short term, however, and overdoing the espresso can instead result in making you jittery, causing the opposite effect and making it more difficult to concentrate.
On its own, without added sugars and flavors, espresso can help with weight loss. It is low in calories and helps to improve exercise performance, according to a study that was published in the Medicine and Science in Sports Journal. The study found that the caffeine made workouts feel less strenuous by lowering the perceived level of exertion by more than five percent. In addition, the espresso reduces the level of muscle pain the body perceives.
Potential downsides of espresso
When drinking multiple cups throughout the day, keep in mind that too much coffee can have a negative effect on your health. One of the crazier symptoms, no pun intended, is it can cause you to hear things, essentially giving you aural hallucinations. A study conducted by the University of Melbourne gave participants more than five cups of coffee and had them listen to white noise. The researchers told participants that the song "White Christmas" might be played within the white noise. They were to press a button if they heard the song. The participants who were very stressed in addition to consuming the coffee more commonly pressed the button. However, the researchers did not actually play the song at all (via Daily Mail).
It is also important to remember that caffeine is addictive, and withdrawal can cause headaches and irritability. Excessive amounts can increase your risk for osteoporosis, cause liver damage, and raise your blood pressure (via Business Insider).
Drinking espresso every day is healthy as long as you don't overindulge. Enjoy your espresso consumption in moderation and you will be able to enjoy the positive health effects without having to worry about the negative ones.