An aberration for some, morning sweetness for others, the addition of milk to coffee divides the taste buds at breakfast. But is it a healthy habit for the body?
While many say that they cannot do without coffee in the morning, others insist on accompanying the black and bitter liquid with a splash of hot milk, or even drowning in an ocean of milk. To be delicious for these enthusiasts, is the drink beneficial for the body? From cloud to “hazelnut” way slat, Is there a risk of diluting the drink too much and removing the boosting effect of caffeine? Is it reasonable from a digestive point of view? Some answers.
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No known effects of caffeine
Consumed alone, the “little black” is full of well-known and well-documented benefits. As reported by Astrid Nehlig, emeritus research director at the National Institute of Medical Research (Inserm) and specialist in the effects of coffee on health, the drink contains the famous caffeine, a molecule with stimulating properties and protective against cognitive decline. There are also valuable antioxidants, polyphenols. “These have a hypotensive effect on the heart, also protect cells from aging, limit DNA breakage and reduce tissue inflammation,” explains Astrid Nehlig.
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And what happens when you add milk? No study to date indicates the potential deleterious effects on caffeine, confirms the specialist. According to her, it is the initial dose of coffee that will affect the enhancing effect of caffeine, not the milk. And with or without, you must ensure that you respect the recommended doses. Too much caffeine can lead to nervousness, sleep problems and cardiovascular problems. According to the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA), a healthy adult should not exceed a limit of 400 mg throughout the day (200 mg in pregnant women), i.e. the equivalent of four to five cups of filter coffee during the day.
A better anti-inflammatory effect?
The interaction of milk with the antioxidant properties of coffee is still the subject of scientific debate. Recently, work from the University of Copenhagen, published in January 2023 in the scientific journal Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, they propose the argument that coffee with milk would have better anti-inflammatory effects than a simple “little black”. After conducting an in vitro study, the researchers found that the antioxidant power of coffee polyphenols was doubly effective when combined with the amino acids contained in milk.
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According to Astrid Nehlig, who was able to consult the study, this hypothesis remains to be confirmed since it has not been studied, neither on animals nor in humans. On the other hand, the specialist sees a link with the previous promised work. Those of the Swiss Nestlé Research Center, published in February 2010. “The researchers were interested in the composition of blood plasma after the ingestion of different coffee recipes and it seemed that the addition of whole milk did not alter the bioavailability of coffee polyphenols”, she. reports.
Satisfying but not always digestible
After sipping your hazelnut coffee or slat, you can feel the hunger disappearing. Nothing can be more normal since milk contains proteins with a satiating effect, underlines Catherine Lacrosnière, nutritionist and author of Anti-Inflammatory Food – Naturally Healthy (1).
Only for other people, this feeling of fullness is accompanied by digestive discomfort, swelling, nausea, or even an accelerated transit. For the nutritionist, these problems indicate lactose intolerance. “This sugar in milk is normally absorbed in the small intestine by an enzyme called lactase. However, the latter gradually decreases with age and if you stop consuming milk, it disappears. So we no longer digest lactose so easily “, explains Dr. Catherine Lacrosnière.
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Coffee, stimulating the movements of the colon, is often accused of causing this digestive discomfort. But we forget its beneficial action on digestion. The doctor explains: “Thanks to the insoluble fiber it contains, coffee improves the quality of the intestinal microbiota. It improves bile and pancreatic secretions, which promote better digestion of macronutrients (lipids, proteins and carbohydrates).
An alternative to table sugar, but to be consumed in moderation
For those who consume milk as adults, such as the Nordic population, and who have not experienced digestive discomfort, the liquid can also represent an advantage, notes the doctor. According to the specialist, the lactose sugar powder provides a healthier alternative to table sugar and sweeteners.
However, experts urge moderation among milk drinkers. “Scientific research is moving in the direction of food variety,” explained Dr. Marie-Caroline Michalski, INRAE research director and specialist in dairy lipids, in a previous article. Research suggests consuming on average 2 portions of dairy products per day for adults (3 to 4 for children and the elderly), for example a glass of milk, but also a yogurt or a piece of cheese, rich in enzymes and nutrients. calcium”.