The discovery of coffee beans dates all the way back to the 15th century, and with a legacy that long, coffee was bound to gather a few misconceptions along the way. So today, we are going to break down the top seven coffee myths that have been stirring the coffee world for far too long. The desire to grow and learn is an innate part of being human. Dispelling rumors and digging for the truth is a way for us to not only learn about the world around us but become better versions of ourselves. So, let's clear up the most common coffee myths once and for all because coffee beans are far too remarkable a discovery to be bogged down with misinformation. Top Coffee Myths Debunked Before we destroy some long-believed coffee myths, let’s take time to learn what exactly a myth is. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a myth is a "widely held but false belief or idea." Don't feel silly for believing any of these coffee myths we are about to dispel because our society is full of myths that we have accepted as factual parts of our history. Aside from knowing the truth behind the myths, a fun fact is always a great ice breaker or conversation starter. So first, let us cover some of the most popular non-coffee related myths that you might be surprised to learn are false: Myth: Dogs can only see in black and white Truth: While dogs might not see the entire color spectrum that we see as humans, they can see the colors yellow, blue, and gray. Humans have three types of cones to discern color; however, dogs only possess two cones. Their limited color perception is referred to as "dichromatic vision." So, your pup may not be able to fully appreciate the mid-century modern vibe you have in your home, but you should still go ahead and splurge on the matching harness and leash set for them. Myth: Dropping a penny from the Empire State Building can kill a person Truth: A penny weighs about one gram and will reach terminal velocity between 30 and 100 miles per hour, depending on the wind. So, while it will hurt if you get hit by a penny dropped from the Empire State Building, the penny is not heavy enough or large enough to reach a speed that can cause death. We can all breathe a collective sigh of relief. Myth: Cracking your knuckles causes arthritis Truth: As an avid knuckle cracker, this is my favorite myth to dispel. Harvard Medical School says cracking your knuckles won't increase your likelihood of getting arthritis. However, there is a chance it could possibly weaken your grip over time. The popping sound you hear is bubbles in your synovial fluid bursting. This is why you cannot immediately crack the same joint twice; there needs to be time to allow the gas bubble to re-enter your joint. So, snap, crackle, and pop to your heart's content! Spilling the Coffee Beans: Coffee Myths Explained Our dogs can see colors, pennies are no longer dangerous, and you can continue to annoy your co-workers with your knuckle cracks. We are having so much fun dispelling common myths, so let's continue getting to the truth with a myth-busting round focused on coffee myths. Coffee beans have a long history that spans generations and continents, so it's no surprise that coffee was bound to develop some folklore around of its own. While all myths are inherently incorrect, they do not all cause direct harm. For instance, believing that dropping a penny from the Empire State Building will not cause harm but will most likely deter people from dropping objects from the sky. The difference with myths related to coffee is that these myths about coffee beans may be holding some people back from truly enjoying something they love. 7 Most Common Coffee Myths: Debunked Coffee causes insomnia Coffee causes dehydration Coffee makes you lose weight Coffee can sober you up Coffee is addictive Coffee stunts your growth Dark roast coffee beans have more caffeine Coffee Myth #1: Coffee Causes Insomnia It is important to remember that all good things should be enjoyed in moderation. It is perfectly safe to have up to 400 milligrams (mg) of caffeine every day as part of a healthy lifestyle. For comparison, the average 8oz cup of coffee contains 100 mg of caffeine. Coffee beans contain caffeine, which is a stimulant to the central nervous system. It causes alertness and a temporary boost to your energy and mood. You can find caffeine in coffee, tea, soft drinks, and chocolate. Overindulging in caffeinated products right before bedtime can cause you to stay awake longer because that is the purpose of caffeine. You will begin to feel the effects of caffeine as early as 15 minutes after consumption, with the peak levels roughly one hour after consumption. Six hours after the consumption, half of the caffeine is still in your body. It’s easy to see how this coffee myth got started, but coffee does not cause insomnia; it keeps you awake and alert during the day, as intended. If you find yourself struggling to go to sleep at night, there are several methods for having a more restful night’s sleep: Set a sleep schedule Create a relaxing sleep environment Identify stressors in your life Coffee Myth #2: Coffee Causes Dehydration Fun fact, coffee is 98% water. And experts agree that your daily coffee can and should count towards your recommended daily water intake. So, not only is this coffee myth not true, it's the complete opposite. Coffee helps to hydrate you, and with 60% of the human body being composed of water, the health benefits are off the charts. Here is a peek at just a few of the health benefits of staying fully hydrated: Regulate body temperature Lubricate joints Prevent infections Improve sleep quality Increase in mental cognition The root of this coffee myth seems to have originated from the fact that coffee drinkers report an increase in their bathroom trip frequency when consuming coffee. Coffee and tea are both mild diuretics, but your body knows what it is doing. Your body will absorb all the fluids it needs and then get rid of any additional fluids. While it may seem like it, you are not losing more fluids than you are taking in when you drink coffee. So fill up a travel mug and start aiming for that hydration goal on your drive to work. It's called multitasking. Coffee Myth #3: Coffee Will Help You Lose Weight The roots of this coffee myth are easy to identify. Coffee increases energy, and it is not hard to see the leap from increased energy to weight loss. However, coffee will not make you lose weight. Multiple studies have been done, and there is no clear connection between caffeine and weight loss. Research shows the best way to maintain a healthy weight is by monitoring the foods you eat and having an active lifestyle. So, while drinking coffee won't help you lose weight, it can provide the necessary energy that some of us need to get our morning started. That morning burst of caffeine is what helps many people begin creating a healthy morning routine. So, whether you choose to meditate, visit the gym, take your dichromatic-visioned pup on a walk, or scroll your phone, coffee is a great way to start your day. And in case no one has told you today: you are beautiful! Coffee Myth #4: Coffee Can Sober You Up Coffee has many miraculous qualities, but unfortunately, counteracting the effects of alcohol is not one of them. The caffeine in coffee has the ability to perk you up, which for some people can reflect a feeling of sobriety; however, it does not actually change your body's alcohol level. So, enjoy your post-drinks cup of coffee with your friends, but don't forget to call an Uber. On the flip side, studies show that there is a link between those recovering from alcohol and an increase in coffee consumption. Of the over one million Americans that are part of the Alcoholics Anonymous program, almost 90% drink coffee. Current research is looking into whether there is a link between coffee consumption and sobriety. Coffee Myth #5: Coffee is Addictive There is a tiny morsel of truth in this coffee myth because caffeine does have addictive properties. However, the lasting effects of caffeine withdrawal only last a day or two. In addition, drinking coffee does not create harmful effects to your emotional, social, or economic health and lifestyle either while consuming it or as a result of giving it up. Since the caffeine in coffee beans is a stimulant to the central nervous system, it can block feelings of tiredness and create opportunities for dopamine to work more effectively. However, the effects of too much caffeine, such as the jitters, are immediate and allow for the coffee consumer to immediately rectify the situation for that day and the future. So, coffee has short-term addictive properties, but coffee does not pose a long-term health risk. Coffee Myth #6: Coffee Stunts Your Growth It is believed that this coffee myth got its start from a study done decades ago that suggested there might be a link between coffee drinking and osteoporosis. Spoiler alert: there's not! The study found that most coffee drinkers drink less milk and calcium-enriched beverages. A dietary lack of vitamin D and calcium can absolutely be linked to osteoporosis. Whether this is good news or bad news to you, your height is pretty much dependent on your genes. So, we can officially declare stunting your growth as a coffee myth. Coffee Myth #7: Dark Roast Coffee Has More Caffeine Dark roast coffee having more caffeine is by far the most popular coffee myth. The myth goes that the darker the coffee bean roast, the more caffeine. When in fact, there is not a caffeine difference between light, medium, and dark roasted coffee beans. The difference between light, medium, and dark roast coffee beans is not in the caffeine level but in the flavor. A light roast coffee bean is roasted until the first crack and retains the majority of the coffee beans' natural flavors and floral aroma. The actual coffee bean will be matte in complexion without any oils on the surface. Medium roast coffee beans will have a sweeter flavor due to the caramelization process, a fuller body, and a more robust taste. Dark roast coffee beans are roasted the longest out of the three and, depending on the roaster, will go until the second crack. Dark roasted coffee beans are darkest in color, with a richer and more chocolatey flavor profile. The longer coffee beans are roasted, the higher their antioxidant levels are, so a dark roast coffee will not increase your caffeine intake, but it will increase your body’s ability to fight off free radicals. This coffee myth appears to stem from the fact that most coffee drinkers assume a dark, chocolatey coffee will have a bolder caffeine content than a bright floral coffee. The Truth About Coffee Beans In addition to disproving common coffee myths, research is consistently showing us there are health benefits to drinking coffee on a daily basis. Coffee beans assist with everything from improving memory to providing our body with necessary antioxidants. So, take comfort in knowing that your daily caffeine fix is not going to cause you to have insomnia or stunt your growth. And sleep well knowing that drinking coffee counts towards your daily water intake goal. Roasting, grinding, brewing, and drinking coffee is an experience that we can personalize to our specific needs. Being aware of the effects of what we put into our bodies is an essential part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Knowing fun facts that you can impress your friends, family, or a first date with is also important. So, save this for when you need some conversation inspiration or when you want to remind yourself that your morning coffee not only tastes good but it is good for you.
