Espresso is an Italian invention and it comes from the word ‘express’ which means fast. When it was first invented, espresso was used as an alternative to the long-established Turkish coffee because it could be made very quickly in comparison to the Turkish version.
Espresso became popular in the last few decades. It is believed that it was first introduced to the Western world by Italian immigrants who had moved to America. But what is the secret behind the popularity of espresso? And why do people like drinking it?
People prefer drinking espresso because it has been popularised to have more flavour and texture than other types of coffee and the significant caffeine dose it brings. Simultaneously, other people drink espresso for the culture behind it, as it is known as a “European coffee”
When you ask most people why they prefer espresso, you will find several reasons. One of the more prevalent reasons is that it provides a much-needed boost of energy. Another reason is that it tastes good and provides a rich flavour, which appeals to many coffee drinkers out there.
Another reason espresso is so widely consumed is its versatility; most good coffee drinks start with an espresso. From an espresso, you can make a latte, cappuccino, macchiato, etc. Besides that, there are many variations of espresso that you can make, giving you a wide selection of drinks.
For true espresso enthusiasts, one of the biggest reasons they enjoy it is the whole process of preparing it. While you can make espresso with an automatic machine with a click of a button, most espresso enthusiasts would rather go hands-on with a manual espresso machine, turning drinking espresso into a whole multi-step experience.
Does Espresso Benefit Your Health
Espresso does have some health benefits related to its chemical composition which contains a high amount of caffeine and antioxidants. These health benefits can include anything from mood improvement to a reduced risk of diabetes. Here is a list of the more common health benefits:
- Mood stimulation.
Caffeine in espresso is a potent stimulant. It can boost your mood throughout the day. Espresso also helps those suffering from depression, boost brain function, and takes away exhaustion.
An espresso cannot substitute professional help, but it can certainly help.
- Aids in weight loss.
Espresso can improve physical performance, making workouts less straining. This can push you to work harder. It also helps to prevent muscle soreness that comes with a tougher workout.
Add to that the fact that espresso is low in calories, which makes espresso a great help to your weight loss efforts.
- Reduced risk of strokes and diabetes.
Diabetes is becoming more and more common, so it can be a relief to find out that espresso helps reduce the risk of diabetes.
It can also be a healthier choice than other types of coffee; Instead of being loaded with sugars and creams, espresso can be consumed as is, getting rid of the extra calories and fats so you can get your energy boost without risking your health.
- High intake of antioxidants.
Recent studies show that coffee contains a wide variety of antioxidants. Espresso is a concentrated punch of those useful antioxidants in a tasty package. It contains hydrocinnamic acids, polyphenols, cafestol, etc.
Is It OK to Drink Espresso Every Day
For an average healthy person, drinking espresso on a daily basis is completely fine. The caffeine and other components found in espresso do not pose any health risks when consumed daily. Besides, most researches show that caffeine wears out within 3 to 5 hours of consumption.
How Much Espresso Per Day is OK
To be safe, it is recommended to drink less than 6 shots of espresso per day. That amount contains around 400mg of caffeine, which is the maximum amount to be consumed daily by an average healthy adult. Half of that amount should be safe for children, the elderly, and pregnant women.
With that being said, caffeine tolerance can vary from person to person. Each person’s ability to consume coffee depends on a number of factors such as weight, what you have eaten, and your body’s hormones. To know more about your body’s tolerance for caffeine, it is best to check with your doctor.
Are There Any Negative Effects of Espresso
Espresso can start to have some negative effects when you drink too much of it. After numerous studies, drinking a safe amount of espresso daily will have nothing but positive effects on your health and body, but going overboard will cause some serious issues. Insomnia, anxiety, and digestive issues are a few.
When it comes to caffeine, its amazing energy-boosting qualities can turn into issues if consumed near bedtime. The presence of caffeine in your system by the time you sleep can cause insomnia and restless sleep. It is recommended to slow down (or cut off) caffeine consumption 5 hours before your usual bedtime.
Another side effect of excessive caffeine consumption is anxiety. Caffeine increases alertness by blocking the influence of adenosine, a hormone that makes you feel tired. Too much of this can lead to your brain depending on caffeine leading to anxiety and jitteriness.
Too much caffeine consumption may also cause your heart to beat faster, it may even alter your heartbeat rhythm. This phenomenon is called atrial fibrillation, and it has been often linked to young people who consume energy drinks with extremely high doses of caffeine.
Can You be Addicted to Espresso
While you can technically get addicted to espresso (or coffee in general), it all depends on your definition of addiction. Caffeine stimulates your central nervous system, and regular consumption can cause some mild physical dependencies. However, It does not affect your health and social life the same way an alcohol addiction might.
Caffeine is considered by many to be one of the few socially accepted drugs. The chemical substance directly stimulates the brain, because its structure has a relaxing effect on your central nervous system.
Caffeine works in two steps. At first, it prevents the brain cells from expressing tiredness, then it stimulates the body to release other stimulants and helps to enhance their effect. This leads to a feeling of alertness, focus, and energy.
When you suddenly stop the caffeine intake in your body, you can suffer a number of withdrawal symptoms. Such as headaches, irritability, and trouble concentrating. Tiredness is the most reported symptom, this is due to the body’s dependency on caffeine to boost the effect of natural stimulants.
However, coffee addiction is not as serious a problem as other addictions. A few shots of espresso per day will not hurt. But, you do need to be careful with how much coffee you consume. It is best to limit your coffee consumption to 5 to 6 cups per day.
Is Espresso the Healthiest Coffee
Espresso is considered by many to be a healthier alternative to regular coffee. The main argument behind this is that the healthy parts of a coffee bean (oils and minerals) are usually filtered out when making regular coffee. While they are fully used in espresso.
As a result, espresso provides a more concentrated health boost than regular coffee.
What Is the Difference Between Espresso and Coffee
There are many differences between espresso and regular coffee, like the type of roast, grind size, and time to brew. Because of these elements and more, espresso is thicker and more powerful than regular coffee. Here is a table of the differences between espresso and coffee.
Conclusion:
Espresso has been around for centuries and it’s no wonder why people like to drink it. It has a delicious flavour, it’s quick, and it provides energy – all of which are qualities that people like to have in their coffee. Espresso also has a social aspect that many other coffees don’t have because of its strong aroma and taste.
Add Your Heading Text Here
Paul Mason
coffee blogger
Interested to know more about Hot Coffee? Got a question about our content or perhaps want to make a suggestion? The feel free to contact us today.
We’ll be more than happy to take a look at any comments, requests or queries that you may have. Thanks for your time, and we hope that your next cup of coffee that you enjoy is the best one that you’ve had, every time!
