Coffee combined with yogurt creates a unique flavor, reduces drawbacks, and enhances benefits.
Yogurt is a food rich in beneficial bacteria that are good for the intestines and digestive system. Meanwhile, coffee is a beverage that helps us stay alert. So, what health benefits do these two foods offer when combined? Below are insights from nutrition experts.
Yogurt combined with coffee – (Photo: ST)
Associate Professor, Doctor Nguyen Thi Lam, former Deputy Director of the National Institute of Nutrition, shares that yogurt can be eaten directly. Additionally, we can combine yogurt with fruits, cereals, nuts, etc., to diversify nutrition. Combining yogurt with beverages like coffee also creates wonderful flavors.
The combination of yogurt with coffee reduces the stimulating effects of coffee. Yogurt contains many antioxidants that are beneficial for office workers. Since those who work in offices need to be alert and clear-headed for effective work, combining coffee with yogurt provides additional antioxidants that are good for health.
In response to the question “Is it okay to drink yogurt coffee every day?”, Associate Professor Lam stated that coffee is not a harmful beverage, and neither is yogurt. However, excessive coffee consumption, especially in the afternoon or evening, may lead to insomnia and affect work the next day. If consumed in the morning or at noon, with just 1-2 cups throughout the day, it poses no harm to health.
“Drinking coffee with yogurt will supplement beneficial bacteria for the body, which is very good for health. Coffee drinkers often suffer from constipation due to the high tannin content (a type of chemical compound that falls under a larger group known as polyphenols), which can tighten the intestinal lining, leading to constipation. Combining coffee with yogurt helps alleviate constipation,” Dr. Lam said.
For young children, Dr. Lam suggests combining yogurt with fruits such as strawberries, bananas, mangoes, jackfruit, and dragon fruit, or mixing it with smoothies to stimulate their taste buds.
Nutrition experts also analyze that coffee is usually made from roasted dark beans. There are some claims that burning coffee beans can impact health and cause cancer. However, experts indicate that studies have confirmed roasted coffee beans contain many polyphenols and do not produce carcinogenic substances. On the contrary, drinking coffee can help prevent stomach cancer and colorectal cancer.
Associate Professor, Doctor Lam Vinh Nien, Head of the Nutrition – Dietetics Department at Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy, states that coffee contains caffeine, a stimulant that helps people stay awake and work more effectively. Caffeine found in coffee is not classified as an addictive substance. There is no scientific basis to prove that drinking coffee is harmful to health.
However, Dr. Nien also notes:
- For adults, it is recommended not to consume more than 400mg of caffeine per day (equivalent to 2 small cups).
- Young children should not drink caffeinated beverages as they contain stimulants.
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult a doctor before consuming coffee, as caffeine can pass through the bloodstream and into breast milk.
Some conditions such as hyperthyroidism, sympathetic nervous system disorders, those with gastritis, and individuals with mental disorders should be cautious when drinking coffee.
