Distraction for some, sweetness in the morning for others, adding milk to coffee separates the taste buds at breakfast. But is it a healthy habit for the body? We take into account.
While many say they can’t do without coffee in the morning, others insist on accompanying the black and bitter liquid with a hint of warm milk or even drowning in the milky ocean. No matter how greedy it is for these amateurs, is the drink good for the body? Cloud to hazel as a result latte, is there a risk of diluting the drink too much and erasing the stimulating effect of caffeine? Does it make sense from a digestive standpoint? A few answers.
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There are no known effects of caffeine
Consumed alone, the “little black” is full of well-known and well-documented benefits. According to Astrid Nehlig, honorary research director of the National Institute of Medical Research (Inserm) and an expert on the effects of coffee on health, the drink contains the well-known caffeine, a molecule with stimulating and protective properties against cognitive decline. There are also valuable antioxidants, polyphenols. “These have a hypotensive effect on the heart and also protect cells from aging, limit DNA breakage and reduce tissue inflammation,” says Astrid Nehlig.
And what happens when you add milk to it? To date, no studies have pointed to the possible harmful effects of caffeine, the specialist confirms. According to him, the initial dose of coffee, not the milk, will play a role in the stimulating effect of caffeine. And with or without it, care should be taken in any case to respect the recommended servings. Too much caffeine can lead to jitteriness, sleep disturbances, and cardiovascular problems. According to the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA), a healthy adult should not exceed the limit of 400 mg throughout the day (200 mg for pregnant women), which is the equivalent of four to five cups of filter coffee during the day.
Better anti-inflammatory effect.
The interaction of milk with the antioxidant properties of coffee is still a matter of scientific debate. Recent work from the University of Copenhagen, published on January 30, 2023 in the journal Science Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, make the argument that coffee with milk will have better anti-inflammatory effects than plain “little black.” After conducting an in vitro study, scientists found that the antioxidant power of coffee polyphenols is doubly effective when combined with the amino acids found in milk.
According to Astrid Nehlig, who was able to consult the research, this hypothesis has yet to be confirmed because it has not been studied in animals or in humans. On the other hand, the specialist sees a connection with the previous promising work. Studies by the Swiss Nestlé Research Center published in February 2010. “Researchers were interested in blood plasma composition after consuming different coffee recipes and found that adding whole milk did not alter the bioavailability of coffee polyphenols,” he says.
Satisfying, but not always digestible
After swallowing his hazelnut coffee or something latte, you can feel the hunger creeping in. Nothing could be more normal, because milk contains proteins with satiating properties, emphasizes Catherine Lacrosnier, nutritionist and author of the book. Anti-Inflammatory Foods – Naturally Healthy (1).
Only in other people, this feeling of satiety is accompanied by indigestion, bloating, nausea, even accelerated transit. For a nutritionist, these discomforts indicate lactose intolerance. “This sugar in milk is normally absorbed in the small intestine by an enzyme called lactase. However, the latter gradually decreases with age, and if you stop using milk, it disappears. Lactose is no longer digested as easily,” says Dr. Catherine Lacrosnier.
Coffee, by stimulating colon movements, is often blamed for causing this digestive discomfort. But we forget its beneficial effect on digestion. The doctor explains. “Thanks to the insoluble fibers contained in coffee, it improves the quality of intestinal microbiota. It improves biliary and pancreatic secretions, which promotes better digestion of macronutrients (lipids, proteins and carbohydrates).
An alternative to table sugar, but should be consumed in moderation
For those who consume milk as adults, like Scandinavian populations, and who don’t experience digestive discomfort, the liquid may even be active, the doctor notes. According to the expert, the sweetness of lactose provides a healthier alternative to table sugar and sweeteners.
Experts, however, recommend moderation among those who drink a lot of milk. “Scientific research is moving in the direction of food diversity,” Dr. Marie-Caroline Michalski, INRAE Research Director and dairy lipid expert, explained to us in a previous article. Studies suggest an average of 2 servings of dairy products per day for adults (3 to 4 for children and the elderly), such as a glass of milk, but also a yogurt or a slice of cheese, rich in enzymes and calcium.
In the video: the three rules of a healthy diet
Source: Le Figaro
