Adding milk to coffee is good for reducing the bitterness in coffee and enhancing its texture. The compounds present in coffee soften the bitterness in the coffee cup. These coffee compounds are proteins that bind to other compounds called tannins (polyphenolic compounds) present in milk.
Tannin compounds have an astringent taste and are also very good for the body. The protein present in milk when bound to tannin molecules covers up its taste.
However, both the good and the bad aspects of adding milk to the coffee are seen. It all depends on the purpose for which you want to add milk to the coffee. Whether it’s because of reducing the amount of bitterness in the coffee or to achieve the health benefits the coffee has to offer.
In this article, we look at the pros and cons of using milk with your coffee, and the science behind milky coffee.
Is it Good to Add Milk to Coffee?
It is good to add milk to coffee because milk lowers the pH of coffee and helps prevent acid reflux. The pH level of Regular milk such as cow’s milk is about 6.7 which is slightly acidic. Adding this milk to coffee reduces the acidity of coffee but to a lower extent.
On the other hand, Almond milk is basic (alkaline) in nature. Adding Almond milk in coffee is a better option as compared to regular milk because it decreases the pH to a greater extent. It does this by the process of neutralization. Calcium, being one of the most important components of milk, also neutralizes some of the acids in the coffee.
Adding milk is also beneficial as it increases the nutritious food value of the coffee. Milk is a great advent of various vitamins and minerals. The most important among these are vitamin D and calcium.
Vitamin D maintains the concentration of calcium and phosphorus in the human body, which in turn keep your bones, teeth, and muscles strong and healthy. Calcium also helps to build and maintain strong bones. It is required for the proper functioning of some of our vital organs and systems like the heart, nerves, and muscles.
According to some studies, vitamin D and calcium are thought to protect the human body against cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Milk in coffee helps prevent esophageal cancer as it lowers the temperature of the coffee, making it safer in comparison with the hot one.
Is Coffee with Milk Good for Weight Loss?
Coffee offers weight loss benefits but, when adding milk to your coffee, reverses the weight loss effect of coffee and results in encouraging weight gain.
It is suggested to avoid using creamy milk for your coffee because it contains more fat and calories which may contribute to weight gain. If you are on a diet, try your coffee without milk.
Research shows that the people who drink milk coffee or creamy coffee with high-fat content, consume 69 more calories compared to a person who drinks black coffee. You are more susceptible to weight gain if you continue to take milk in your coffee.
According to NDTV, Caffeine plays a key role in accelerating weight loss by increasing the metabolism of the body which results in burning more calories. Intake of both green and black coffee burns calories in your body.
The benefits of caffeine are not restricted to burning calories but the certain compounds in coffee reduce sugar absorption in the small intestines.
Less sugar means it’s less available to be stored as fat which results in weight loss. Adding artificial sweeteners, milk, or sugar is deadly for your coffee if you are taking it for weight loss. It is best recommended to intake coffee without milk, sugar, or any artificial sweetener.
Are There Any Drawbacks to Using Milk in Coffee?
Besides its benefits, milk in coffee reduces coffee Chlorogenic acids (CGA) availability in your coffee. Chlorogenic acids (CGA) are known as a class of antioxidants that makes coffee beneficial for health.
Although there are many contradictions about levels of CGA and coffee, research has shown that coffee with milk or dairy products causes a 28% reduction in CGA levels and metabolites in urine but no significant changes were observed when CGA blood concentrations were measured.
However, non-dairy products such as non-dairy cream seemed to decrease the titers in the blood. Similarly, if we add dairy products or specifically milk in the coffee, it decreases the cardiovascular benefits of the coffee in the human body. The vascular function when studied by researchers seemed to be affected.
Similarly, another study showed that the beneficial antioxidants become less bioavailable after adding milk to the coffee. This is because the proteins in soy milk or dairy products start adding in the antioxidants in coffee.
This study on soy milk and other dairy products was not made on non-dairy creamers that contain sodium caseinate. However, if you still love to add milk to your coffee, there is no proven disadvantage. However, the beneficial components in coffee become less active and the beverage becomes less beneficial.
Health experts do not recommend milk in coffee due to high carbs and allergenic potential. Milk fat and protein can have worse effects if they start to create stable milk foams. Sometimes they form air bubbles which can have a toxic effect on your coffee.
According to analysis, cow milk has 4% to 5% of a complex combination of different types of fats. Milk fat globules which are made up of phospholipids, proteins, and glycerides together make a membrane around the fat which protects the fat from degradation and oxidation. Therefore, milk in your coffee can affect your digestive system.
Milk in your coffee can reduce the benefits of coffee because milk dilutes your coffee, resulting in less caffeine intake per sip.
Hi, I’m Jen Williams, chief editor and writer for ThirstPerk.com.
I’ve been drinking coffee and tea for most of my life, but it wasn’t until I started working at Thirstperk.com that I became an expert on the subject. I’m a total caffeine addict who has spent hours upon hours reading about and experimenting with the different types of coffees out there in my search to find the perfect cup of joe.
I’ve been a tea lover for as long as I can remember as well. I grew up in a house with a mom who loved to drink herbal tea, and I think that’s where my love for tea first began. These days, I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting teas to try, and I love experimenting with different brewing methods and flavoring combinations.