Turning a healthy coffee cup into a calorie bomb: the impacts of common additives

Regular coffee drinking benefits many people. However, those especially sensitive to caffeine may experience severe, uncomfortable symptoms, even after consuming a small cup of the brew. Interestingly, these unpleasant symptoms are often caused less by the coffee and more by the array of additives included. What sort of products are we referring to?

Coffee that includes sweeteners essentially transforms into a high-calorie dessert. Are you gaining weight or feeling sleepy? Are you experiencing digestive discomfort? Constantly consuming "improved" coffee - laden with tons of milk, whipped cream, syrups, fruit compotes, and excessive sweetness or detrimental "creamers" - might be the cause. These ingredients significantly increase the brew's caloric content. How much, you ask? A large caffe latte from a popular coffee chain contains 700 kcal. Drinking three such coffees exceeds an average adult's daily energy requirement.

They often include (artificial and unhealthy) syrups and whipped cream (usually aerosol-loaded and chemical-ridden). This large dose of sugar gives the body a short energy boost, which diminishes quickly, causing fatigue and sleepiness. Ever noticed these symptoms, particularly after enjoying a cup of coffee at work? It might be time to reassess your additive usage.

Many turn to instant coffee. Despite being a weaker version of traditional coffee, both possess similar health impacts. However, we shouldn't be deceived by "3 in 1" style coffees. They are also soluble but chock full of sugar, flavors, and a slew of e-numbers. What does such a coffee's composition look like?

"Sugar, glucose syrup, fully hydrogenated palm kernel oil, instant coffee 7.9%, tapioca starch, stabilizers (E331, E340, E452, E451), milk proteins, salt, emulsifiers (E471, E472e), flavors" - as noted on the product packaging.

There's no harm in adding a splash of milk or even a bit of sugar to your coffee if you otherwise struggle to enjoy it. Moderation is crucial, though. As you can see, it's easy to get carried away, compensating with more coffee. But remember, these additives don't simply vanish; they convert a healthy brew into a heavy dessert equivalent to an entire meal's caloric content.