Filter, espresso, instant… what is the best coffee for your health ?

Le café présente d’indéniables bienfaits pour la santé.

En plus d’être la boisson la plus consommée en France, après l’eau, le café présente d’indéniables bienfaits pour la santé. Mais la façon dont vous le boirez, en filtre, en dosettes ou bien au lait, a-t-elle une importance ?

Are certain coffees to be avoided ? Dr Astrid Nehlig, emeritus research director at Inserm and author of the book "Coffee and Health, Everything on the multiple virtues of this beverage, helps us to see things more clearly.

"Coffee often receives negative press", tells us Dr Astrid Nehlig. However, its virtues have long been highlighted. "In addition to the little morning boost, it has cognitive virtues. It reduces reaction time, it improves concentration", lists the scientist. "In the long term, it also stimulates digestion, helps prevent Parkinson's disease and, to a lesser extent, Alzheimer's disease.

Are all coffees equal ?

But that's not all: "Its major advantage is to prevent type 2 diabetes in all populations; it would help prevent liver and endometrial cancer; finally it protects the cardiovascular system (in particular from the risk of heart attack and stroke.)"

However, are all coffees equal ? For Astrid Nehlig, "This is quite difficult to answer as few studies have been carried out on the subject. But according to what has been published, whether it is filter coffee, espresso, coffee in pods, capsules, or instant coffee, all are equal ".

On the other hand, some should be avoided. "This is the case for Turkish coffee or even French press coffees. In fact, the grind is in constant contact with water. However, lipids are more concentrated in coffees where the grounds remain in contact with water for longer. The risk of hypercholesterolemia is then real."

Filter or espresso, which is stronger? ?

Because it is thicker and richer in taste, espresso is often considered higher in caffeine. However, this is not the case. "An espresso is between 60 and 80mg of caffeine", warns Dr. Astrid Nehlig. On the other hand, in filter coffee, the water takes the time to infuse the grounds and thus take on caffeine molecules. A classic cup will therefore be more "loaded" than that of an espresso.

With milk ?

Another question, should you pour milk into your coffee ? And does this impact the effects on health ? To the first question, we would be tempted to answer that everyone does what pleases him. The second, on the other hand, is important. A study conducted by the University of Copenhagen in 2023 showed that milk proteins combined with coffee antioxidants doubled the anti-inflammatory properties of the beverage!

Arabica or Robusta ?

Here again the question is important. According to the scientist, "robusta contains twice as many antioxidants… but also twice as much caffeine, says the specialist. However, the antioxidants balance the caffeine content. The important thing is not to exceed 200mg of caffeine in one dose and 400mg per day. On the other hand, robusta is much more bitter and, in my opinion, often considered to be significantly less good in terms of taste than arabica."