How much caffeine is in a cup of coffee?
Each of us knows approximately what effect caffeine has on the human body. Coffee is the most popular drink rich in this element. The component invigorates and gives strength, due to which coffee is often drunk in the morning to quickly wake up and stimulate the nervous system.
The modern market offers a huge variety of drink from exotic grains, in connection with which many are interested in the content of caffeine in coffee of various types.
What is caffeine?
Caffeine was discovered in 1819. The work was carried out by the French researcher Runge. The scientist extracted colorless crystals from the coffee extract, which had a silky texture and a faint bitter aftertaste. These particles, soluble in water, had a strong stimulating and stimulating effect on the body.
Alkaloid (caffeine) is found not only in the fruits of coffee varieties of trees, but also in cola nuts and tea tree leaves. Caffeine is actively used in the medical field. The element is easily dissolved in water and alcoholic beverages. Drugs that contain the above component, effectively fight headaches and other ailments.
In the field of medicine and pharmaceuticals, caffeine is called trimethylxanthine. Chemical formula - C8H10N4O2. But also in pharmacies you can find diuretics and stimulants of the heart, developed using this component.
Effect on the body
Consider how caffeine affects our bodies.
- The excitation of the central nervous system, due to which there is a feeling of cheerfulness, comes a surge of strength. The component stimulates the production of serotonin, dopamine and adrenaline.
- Stimulation of the cardiovascular system.
- Relieves weakness and drowsiness.
- Cheers up.
- Toning tool that will help cope with apathy.
- Regular consumption of a caffeine-containing beverage will help to be active throughout the day.
- Palpitations due to the release of hormones in the blood.
Features and danger
It is worth noting that caffeine is addictive by analogy with drug addiction. An organism that receives a constant dose of vigor from the outside begins to weaken after weaning from coffee. To use coffee does not affect the body negatively, it is necessary to know the measure in use.
If a person cannot start his day without a cup of coffee, this indicates addiction. Naturally, the effect of caffeine is not as strong as that of other drugs, but it acts on the body in the same way.
An excessive amount of caffeine in the body has the opposite effect. Instead of a surge of strength, you will feel lethargy and fatigue. To avoid an excess of this component, you should know how much caffeine is in a cup of coffee, in 1 teaspoon of a product or other container.
What affects the amount of ingredient?
The concentration of caffeine in a drink depends on various factors.
Sort
The variety of beans plays an important role in the caffeine gradation of coffee. Based on taste, Arabica is more valuable and expensive compared to Robusta, but the concentration of the invigorating component in its composition is much lower. A robusta drink contains about 200 milligrams of a component in 170 milliliters of drinks, and the arabica mug contains about 110 milligrams.
Roasting
The next factor that affects the caffeine content is the degree of roasting during cooking. It is believed that the stronger the grains were roasted, the stronger the aroma of the drink, and its taste is stronger and brighter, respectively, the concentration of caffeine is higher. Experts claim that it is not. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures on coffee destroys the molecules of a given substance.
Grinding
Even the mechanical processing of the grains affects the content of the above element. The degree of grinding depends on the method of making coffee.In order to brew coffee in Turkish, it is necessary to thoroughly grind the grains to such an extent that they resemble dust. Coffee for drip-type coffee maker is not so necessary to grind.
Experts note that the highest concentration of caffeine in the drink will be finely ground. This is because the component will be easier to wash with water.
Method of cooking and brewing
The time spent brewing the drink and the method of preparation also affect the special invigorating effect. It should be immediately noted that the amount of water used in the cooking process does not reduce the concentration of caffeine. Coffee connoisseurs know that from one amount of coffee, it is possible to brew different beverages along the strength.
If you want to get the most effective stimulating drink, brew coffee as long as possible. The longer the brewing time, the higher the caffeine content of the drink. Thus, coffee from the press, infused for a certain amount of time, has an increased concentration in its composition as compared to beverages prepared with steam.
Content of substance in various types of drink
Natural brewed coffee
This is the most popular drink among fans. This method of brewing is the most common method of preparation in the world due to its simplicity. One cup of this coffee contains from 70 to 140 mg of component. The average is 95 mg (0.095 grams).
Espresso
This beverage is prepared by passing steam and hot water under high pressure through finely ground grain. The content of the invigorating component in coffee is high compared to a regular drink, but because of small portions, the stimulating effect is reduced. One standard cup of 30-50 milliliters contains about 60 mg of the component. If you need to cheer up as soon as possible, make a choice in favor of double espresso. In it, the content will be 2 times more due to the increased portion.
Espresso based drinks
Coffee houses offer customers a huge variety of drinks with the addition of various elements such as syrup, cream, honey, nuts, milk and more. Most of them are made on the basis of the well-known espresso, which is considered a classic drink.
These types include the following recipes: American, macchiato, cappuccino and latte. When preparing them, use milk, and there is no caffeine in the composition of this product. Thus, the concentration of the component in the drink remains unchanged. A small portion of coffee will contain about 60 mg, double - 120.
Instant Drink
For the preparation of instant product brewed natural coffee is used. In this segment of the food industry, the sublimation technique is used. As a result, granules are formed which dissolve quickly. To make coffee, it is enough to dissolve a teaspoon or a tablespoon of products in a cup of water.
The caffeine content ranges from 30 to 60 milligrams per 237 milliliter cup.
Decaffeinated coffee
Given the fact that coffee stimulates the nervous system and circulatory system, loading the body, its use should be limited to people with heart disease and other ailments. To enjoy the drink without the negative effects choose coffee without caffeine.
Despite the name, this product still contains an insignificant concentration of this component in the composition. A small cup of coffee contains up to 3 milligrams, a large portion - 7 milligrams.
Using the above data, you can calculate the concentration of caffeine in 100 g of coffee of various kinds, a teaspoon of coffee, as well as the content of this component in drinks of different sizes.
Recommendations of specialists
Most of the drinks, which are especially popular with young people, are caffeine. This ingredient is necessarily present in the energy sector.One cup of this caffeine drink contains much more than a standard mug of regular coffee. In addition to the main element, the composition contains additional chemical additives.
Specialists in the field of medicine strongly recommend to treat the use of such beverages with caution and not to exceed the daily norm. Information about this should be indicated on the packaging.
The admissible one-time share of caffeine ranges from 100 to 200 milliliters. During the day you can eat no more than one gram of this element. Otherwise, problems with the heart, liver and other organs cannot be avoided. Accordingly, it is allowed to drink 2 to 3 cups of coffee per day.
Ways to reduce the content of an element in a drink
There are several effective methods by which you can reduce the proportion of caffeine.
- When preparing a drink in the Turk, the percentage of the stimulating element will fall by 20-30%. This is a simple and effective way to quickly reduce concentration.
- Add milk or lemon to the drink. As a result, the strength of the drinks will be reduced by 10-20%, depending on the composition of a component in the drink.
- Use Arabica to make coffee. In this variety of caffeine is less by 10-15% than in various mixtures and blends.
Caffeine in instant drink
Instant coffee has become widespread throughout the world, given its ease of preparation. To make a drink, just pour the product with hot water and mix thoroughly.
Coffee of this type is divided into 3 groups.
- Powder. The most affordable type of coffee. The product is obtained from finely crushed grains, thoroughly roasted by heat treatment under high pressure. The extract is dried, and the powder mass is packaged in packages and sent to stores.
- Sublimated. This technique is significantly different from the rest. Initially, the grain undergoes the process of freezing, after which it is dried by vacuum.
- Granulated. In the sphere of production, the same technique is used as in the production of powdered coffee, however there are certain differences. Using steam, granules are obtained from the powder. Hot steam treatment gives coffee a special taste and aroma.
The composition of the stimulating element soluble drink is not significantly different from the ground. If in a mug of natural coffee, the concentration is about 18 milligrams of caffeine, then in the soluble product of this component is only 12 mg less.
Remember that for a richer taste and smell, various impurities are added to instant coffee.
Should I worry about the caffeine content?
Each product has a certain negative or positive effect on the body, depending on its concentration in the body. As part of coffee there are many antioxidants that have a positive effect on health and general well-being. However, an excessive amount of caffeine causes many problems, including: disturbed sleep patterns, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, pain in the heart area, and so on.
It is worth noting that this component affects each person individually, but, despite the state of health, it is not allowed to exceed the allowed daily allowance (from two to three cups). The effect of drinking is highly dependent on genetic predisposition.
In the next video you will find useful information about caffeine and its content in various types of coffee.