Coffee is one of the world's most popular beverages, enjoyed by millions daily. However, despite its widespread consumption, many myths and misconceptions about coffee persist. Let's debunk some of these common coffee myths and uncover the truth behind our beloved brew.
Myth 1. Coffee Dehydrates You
Reality: Contrary to popular belief, moderate coffee consumption does not lead to dehydration. While caffeine has a mild diuretic effect, the water content in coffee more than compensates for any potential fluid loss. Regular, moderate coffee intake can actually contribute to your daily fluid requirements.[1]
Myth 2. Dark Roast Coffee Has More Caffeine
Truth: This is a widespread misconception. In fact, lighter roasts may contain slightly more caffeine by weight. The roasting process doesn't significantly affect caffeine content, but it does impact the bean's mass. Longer roasting times result in a slight reduction of caffeine.[2]
Myth 3. All Coffee Has the Same Amount of Caffeine
Fact: Caffeine content can vary significantly between different coffee types and brewing methods. Factors such as bean variety, roast level, grind size, and brewing technique all influence the final caffeine content.[3]
Myth 4. Coffee Helps You Sober Up
Reality: While coffee may make you feel more alert after drinking alcohol, it does not actually reduce blood alcohol levels or reverse alcohol's effects on judgment and coordination. Only time can truly sober you up.[4]
Myth 5. Decaf Coffee is Completely Caffeine-Free
Truth: Decaf coffee still contains a small amount of caffeine. The decaffeination process typically removes about 97% of the caffeine, leaving around 7mg per 8-ounce cup.[5]
Myth 6. Coffee Stunts Your Growth
Fact: This long-standing myth has no scientific basis. Your height is primarily determined by genetics and nutrition, not coffee consumption.[6]
Myth 7. You Should Use Boiling Water on Coffee Grounds
Reality: Water above 200°F (93°C) can extract bitter oils from coffee grounds and may scorch them. This can result in a burnt taste in your coffee.[7]
Myth 8. Coffee is Bad for Your Health
Truth: Moderate coffee consumption (up to 3-5 cups per day) has been associated with various health benefits. Coffee is rich in antioxidants and has been linked to a reduced risk of certain diseases, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes.[8]
Myth 9. It is safe for Pregnant Women to Drink up to 200 mg of Coffee a day
Fact: While research has suggested that pregnant women should limit their caffeine intake to about 200 milligrams per day, which is roughly equivalent to one cup of coffee, increasing evidence is suggesting that these women should not be drinking coffee at all.[9]
Footnotes:
[1] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3886980/
[2] https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/food-features/coffee/
[3] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8228209/
[4] https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20130611-does-coffee-sober-you-up
[5] https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/caffeine-in-decaf
[6] https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/does-coffee-stunt-growth#caffeine-and-growth
[7] https://homecoffeeexpert.com/why-does-my-coffee-taste-burnt/
[8] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6003581/
[9] https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15502783.2024.2323919#d1e517