As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Read full disclosure here
This is for all coffee lovers out there. Even if you are not a coffee lover, you will definitely enjoy reading about the health benefits and side effects of black coffee.
When it comes to drinking coffee, you are probably not thinking about the health benefits and side effects of coffee. You basically enjoy the taste, aroma, and alertness that it gives.
While some people love coffee, others don’t even go near it due to the belief in its negative impact on health. I am here to tell you coffee is not that bad and it has great health benefits, especially black coffee.
There are different types of coffee. There is black coffee, decaf, espresso, latte, cappuccino, macchiato, americano, flat white and so on. The way you brew your coffee affects the beneficial effects.
What Is Black Coffee?
Black coffee is simply coffee that is brewed without added sugar, milk or flavourings. Just the pure coffee taste with hot water is black coffee. It is loaded with antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic and anti-cancer effects. The key compounds you will find in black coffee are caffeine, chlorogenic acids (polyphenols), cafestol, and the diterpenes, cafestol and kahweol. Additionally, black coffee is rich in magnesium, vitamin B3 and potassium.
Because black coffee is without added sugar, milk or flavourings, it gives you premium benefits while enjoying coffee.

Health Benefits Of Black Coffee
Coffee contains countless chemicals that affect the body depending on how many cups you take per day, how you brew your coffee at home, the coffee beans used and how it is roasted.
1. Lowers The Risk Of Cancer
In the year 1991, the World Health Organization listed coffee as a carcinogen. By the year 2016, it was exonerated as research shows that coffee actually reduces the risk of cancer among those who drink coffee regularly.
Drinking 6 cups of coffee a day shows no detrimental effect in relation to cancer occurrence. In fact, the presence of polyphenols in coffee has been shown to prevent cancer in animal studies. Coffee also appears to reduce inflammation as seen in many forms of cancer.
2. Reduce The Risk Of Type II Diabetes
Studies have shown that habitual coffee drinkers have a lower risk of developing type II diabetes compared to non-drinkers. The presence of minerals such as magnesium and polyphenols improves the effectiveness of insulin and glucose metabolism in the body. Consumption of decaffeinated coffee also has similar effects as caffeinated coffee.
3. Lowers The Risk Of Heart Diseases
A study from Circulation Journal showed that drinking 4 cups of coffee per day reduces the risk of stroke as well as heart disease compared to non-coffee drinkers. Also drinking decaffeinated coffee showed the same correlation.
The study also confirmed that other components of coffee other than caffeine were responsible for the protective effects.
4. Acts As An Anti-Depressant
Drinking coffee increases alertness, attention and improves your mood. It also reduces anxiety and lowers the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts. The naturally occurring polyphenols in coffee act as antioxidants to reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory cells to protect neurological cells.
5. Protects Risks Of Neurodegenerative Diseases
As age progresses, there is an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s and dementia. Several studies from different journals have shown that drinking coffee protects the cells that produce dopamine in the case of Parkinson’s disease.
Although its protective effect on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia is limited, there are still some positive trends toward its protective effects.
6. Reduce The Risk Of Developing Gallstones
The most common type of gallstone is the formation of cholesterol. Drinking coffee stimulates gallbladder motility, enhances bowel movement and reduces cholesterol crystallization. The presence of caffeine in coffee is actually responsible for the reduced risk of developing gallstone disease
Please note that drinking coffee is of no help if you already have gallstone disease.
7. Weight Loss Maintenace
Black coffee contains chlorogenic acid which has a direct effect on suppressing appetite and increasing daily energy expenditure. Drinking black coffee alone may suppress appetite but when combined with regular exercise, it increases fat oxidation. This means that intake of coffee together with exercise burns fat quicker than taking black coffee alone.

Daily Dosage Of Coffee
Scientists have recommended that taking 3-5 cups of coffee a day is part of a healthy balanced diet. Pregnant and breastfeeding women are advised to aim for less than 200mg of caffeine daily, which is about 2 cups of coffee. As a general rule, 240ml or 8 ounces of coffee offers about 100mg of caffeine.
If you are sensitive to coffee, maybe try decaffeinated coffee. It offers similar beneficial effects to caffeinated coffee. It is important to remember how you brew. A little bit of sugar is okay if you don’t like the bitter taste of black coffee.
Side Effects Of Black Coffee
1. May Cause Insomnia
The caffeine in black coffee is a powerful stimulant, and while this can be beneficial in the morning, it can disrupt your sleep if consumed later in the day. Drinking black coffee in the afternoon or evening can lead to insomnia or reduced sleep quality, affecting your overall health and well-being.
2. Can Lead to Digestive Issues
While black coffee can stimulate digestion, it can also irritate the stomach lining, especially when consumed on an empty stomach. This can lead to symptoms such as acid reflux, heartburn, and stomach ulcers in some individuals. If you have a sensitive stomach, it’s best to consume black coffee with food.
3. May Increase Anxiety
The stimulating effects of caffeine can also have a downside, particularly for those prone to anxiety. High doses of caffeine can increase stress hormones like cortisol, leading to feelings of jitteriness, nervousness, and heightened anxiety.
4. Potential for Addiction
Caffeine is an addictive substance, and regular consumption of black coffee can lead to dependence. This means you might need to consume more coffee over time to achieve the same effects, and you may experience withdrawal symptoms like headaches, irritability, and fatigue if you suddenly stop drinking it.
5. Can Cause Rapid Heart Rate
In some individuals, high caffeine intake from black coffee can cause tachycardia, or a rapid heart rate. This can be uncomfortable and, in some cases, may lead to more serious cardiovascular issues. If you experience a racing heart after drinking coffee, it’s important to monitor your intake.
6. Potential Bone Density Loss
Excessive consumption of black coffee has been linked to reduced calcium absorption, which can potentially lead to a decrease in bone density over time. This is particularly concerning for older adults who are already at risk for osteoporosis. To counter this, ensure you’re getting enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet.
7. May Cause Increased Blood Pressure
While moderate coffee consumption is generally safe, drinking too much black coffee can cause a temporary spike in blood pressure. This is especially concerning for people with hypertension. If you have high blood pressure, it’s advisable to limit your intake or consult with your doctor before consuming black coffee regularly.
Too much black coffee may lead to anxiety, restlessness, insomnia and abdominal spasms. If you are sensitive to caffeine, you can make decaffeinated coffee. You will still get the same beneficial effects of black coffee as seen in caffeinated coffee. Furthermore, consumption of too much coffee may be hard to shake off leading to full-blown coffee abuse.
General Coffee Myth
Firstly, there is a whole belief that coffee leads the dehydration. Whilst coffee is a mild diuretic, studies have shown that moderate to high intake of coffee does not lead to an overall loss of body fluids and does not cause dehydration.
Secondly, contrary to popular belief that darker roasts have more caffeine than lighter roasts, the lighter roast has been shown to have a higher concentration of caffeine.
Conclusion
Black coffee is a powerful drink with numerous health benefits, from boosting metabolism and cognitive function to reducing the risk of certain diseases. However, like any powerful substance, it should be consumed in moderation. Understanding both the benefits and potential side effects of black coffee will help you make informed decisions about how it fits into your daily routine.
Enjoy your cup of black coffee, but remember to listen to your body and adjust your intake as needed to maintain your health and well-being. If you found this guide helpful, feel free to share it with fellow coffee lovers and let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates.
I love coffee!! I drink 2-3 cups a day and keep telling myself I should try to cut down to 1 but it’s so hard! I’m very happy to see coffee has benefits – it makes me not feel so bad about drinking it 🙂☕️
Same here, I tell myself to try and cut down sugar as that affects the benefits of coffee. And well, 2-3 cups is still moderate per day.
Great information, I love coffee but I don’t drink black coffee a lot. I had like few cups of it
This is great to see that black coffee has so many benefits. Makes me feel not so guilty about drinking so much of it when I’m at work!
This is great information! I’m not a coffee drinker, but my boyfriend drinks a few cups a day.
Wow who knew that coffee had so many benefits? I didn’t. Thanks for sharing.
It does 😉, thank you so much for reading
I always need a morning coffee to wake up. It’s good to know there are benefits to drinking it though.
Your post is packed full of useful information. Thank you for this.
I don’t like the taste of coffee, but I absolutely love the smell! I never knew about all these benefits though. Maybe I can give it another go!
I love coffee so much! It’s pretty bad how much coffee I drink haha! I love having my first cup with creamer then cups after that black. Thanks for sharing x
Lynn | https://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com
This is so interesting, I had no idea black coffee could help reduce gallstones, that’s actually quite amazing. I don’t like the taste of coffee, unfortunately, I’m a tea girl, but this is great news that I can share with friends who do love coffee, thank you!
I found this post to be very informative. I am not so much of a coffee fan but there seems to be lots of amazing benefits of black coffee. I should give it a try.
I am a coffee lover Rayo so I also loved this post! Bad thing is I used to love coffee so much that it gave me increased levels of stress and high pulses. I can’t love without the taste of it so I switched to decaffeinated and I was glad to read that it also has the same benefits. Thank you for sharing!
This was such an interesting read! I don’t actually drink coffee but after hearing about all these benefits maybe I should start! I never realised that it reduces the risk of cancer as well as other serious illnesses, that’s amazing. Thanks for sharing, I learnt a lot while reading this x
I am honestly staggered with the idea of drinking as much as five cups of coffee a day, but I love seeing a list of its wholesome benefits here so carefully explained! Coffee often gets a bad rap but, as with all things in life, it is about drinking it for a reason and drinking it responsibly.
Thanks for sharing!
This is awesome, because I love coffee. I like how it acts as an antidepressant.
~Michelle
https://michellescrazybusylife.net
I don’t drink coffee often but I do enjoy it occasionally but I can’t stomach black coffee sadly! It has some amazing benefits though x