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Drinking unsweetened coffee every day is a widespread habit. Some prefer it for its intense flavor, while others choose to eliminate sugar to avoid added calories. But what actually happens to the body when unsweetened coffee becomes a constant presence throughout the day?
The key issue isn’t so much the lack of sugar as the amount of caffeine consumed . Coffee contains caffeine and numerous bioactive compounds, and the response can vary significantly from person to person.
Bitter coffee: what’s the difference compared to sweetened coffee?
Drinking coffee without sugar allows you to avoid the added sugars in your cup. The difference becomes more evident for those who drink several cups of coffee throughout the day: even small amounts of sugar, added together over time, can increase your overall calorie intake.
Bitter coffee , however, isn’t automatically free of potential side effects. Caffeine remains present regardless of whether sugar is added or not.
For this reason, it is above all the number of cups, together with individual sensitivity, that makes the difference.
Drinking too much coffee can disturb your sleep
One of the best-known effects of caffeine is sleep. Drinking coffee in the afternoon or evening can make it harder to fall asleep or interfere with sleep quality.
Caffeine affects the nervous system, and its effects can last for several hours. Those who are particularly sensitive may feel the effects even after a relatively small amount.
Less regular sleep can in turn affect how tired you feel during the day, creating the paradox of reaching for another cup of coffee to counteract the drowsiness.
Nervousness and palpitations among the effects of caffeine
When consumption becomes high, some people may experience agitation, restlessness, tremors, or an increased feeling of nervousness .
Caffeine can also temporarily cause a rise in heart rate or the perception of a heartbeat. The response varies greatly depending on the amount consumed and the tolerance developed over time.
Those who drink coffee regularly may in fact react differently than those who consume it only occasionally.
Coffee can be addictive to caffeine
Drinking coffee daily can cause the body to develop a certain tolerance to caffeine. Over time, the same amount may therefore produce a less noticeable stimulating effect.
Abruptly stopping regular use may be associated with headache, tiredness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating for a limited period.
It is therefore not the “bitter” nature that determines these effects: the central factor remains, once again, caffeine.
How many coffees can you drink per day?
There is no one-size-fits-all number of cups, also because the quantity and concentration of caffeine vary depending on the type of coffee and how it is prepared.
As a general guideline, EFSA indicates that for healthy adults, a caffeine intake of up to 400 milligrams throughout the day generally does not pose safety concerns. A single dose of up to 200 milligrams is generally considered safe for healthy adults.
However, this value should not be interpreted as a target to be achieved. Individual sensitivities can vary greatly, and caffeine is also consumed through tea, energy drinks, cola, chocolate, and other products.
Coffee without sugar every day: the real point is the quantity
Choosing bitter coffee allows you to eliminate added sugar from the drink, but it doesn’t mean you can unlimitedly increase the number of cups you drink.
Any side effects depend mainly on the caffeine, the total amount consumed during the day, and the time of day when the coffee is drunk.
Disturbed sleep, agitation, and palpitations are signs that can appear when intake is not well tolerated. Ultimately, rather than wondering whether coffee should be bitter or sweetened, it’s helpful to pay attention to the total amount of caffeine consumed each day .
