Balancing your brew: Coffee's hidden impact on nutrient intake
Coffee is a must-have start to the day for many Canadians. Although the beverage provides energy, pairing it with certain products can lead to significant health concerns.
Coffee, often lovingly referred to by some as the "drink of the gods," is an essential part of the morning ritual. It's no surprise, as it stimulates the circulatory and nervous systems and also contains vitamins and beneficial elements like magnesium, potassium, and manganese. However, it's important to remember that improper food pairings can negate its positive properties.
A popular myth suggests that coffee flushes minerals out of the body. In reality, it limits their absorption, similar to other caffeine-containing beverages. Therefore, we should avoid consuming it with medications and dietary supplements.
Coffee and vitamin absorption
What else should we be cautious about? First and foremost, remember that coffee limits calcium absorption. People who regularly consume dairy products, such as yogurt, kefir, or cottage cheese, need to be aware not to drink coffee with these meals. Of course, we can drink coffee with milk, but it's advisable to limit the number of cups to a maximum of three per day.
It's best to wait at least two hours after a meal containing dairy or calcium supplements before enjoying your favourite beverage. This approach helps prevent disorders due to a deficiency of this element.
Effects of drinking coffee with legumes
The issue also affects products rich in iron and zinc. Legumes, such as beans or chickpeas, provide the body with essential active components. Experts caution that if you consume legumes to ensure adequate amounts of protein and iron, you should not combine them with coffee.
Coffee can limit the absorption of these valuable elements, which are necessary for the proper functioning of the body.
