If you enjoy a cold brew, you'll appreciate these reported advantages.
Raise your hand if you agree that nothing beats a cold brew for a pick-me-up. The coffee beverage's robust flavor, frothy texture, and enticing chill have won it a slew of fans. Starbucks' CEO announced this week that sales of the chain's cold beverages accounted for 74% of total sales in the United States in the spring, surpassing the popularity of the chain's hot drinks. We can only presume that cold brew played a significant role in that movement.
There's still a lot more we can all learn about this popular beverage. Continue reading to discover some of the health and nutrition benefits of drinking cold brew.
1. The flavor of cold brew isn't something you're imagining.
If you enjoy a strong cup of coffee, cold brew can be your go-to summer beverage. According to Rachel Link, MS, RD, if you've guessed cold brew is more potent than iced coffee, you're correct.
Cold-brew isn't the same as iced coffee, brewed hot and then chilled (and often diluted with ice when served). The flavor of cold brew is distinct, according to Link, because it's created from coffee steeped straight in cold water for eight to 24 hours.
2. Cold brew may be more stomach-friendly.
According to Link, the cold-brewing procedure extracts less acid from the coffee than does heating it. This results in a smoother flavor than hot or iced coffee and a lower risk of gastrointestinal issues, including acid reflux or stomach upsets.
3. Cold brew coffee has a higher caffeine content than iced coffee.
Yes, if you feel a little more awake after drinking a cold brew than after drinking an iced coffee, it's because a 16-ounce cold brew has around 200 milligrams of caffeine, which is almost 20% more than an iced coffee of the same size. (To get the same caffeine amount as a 16-ounce cold brew, you'd need around two-and-a-half cups of hot coffee.)
4. Cold brew coffee may lower your risk of certain cancers.
We underline the word "may," but there is scientific evidence to support this: According to a new study, persons who drink roughly 24 ounces of hot beverages per day had a 90 percent increased chance of developing esophageal cancer, as reported by, Best Life. According to the study's lead author, one approach to avoid this is to drink something colder. One such option is cold brew coffee.