Do you suffer from acid reflux or heartburn but also adore a good cup of joe? A sizable number of people suffer from sensitive stomachs. There is speculation going around that cold brew coffee is less acidic than hot coffee and this looks like good news for people with sensitive tummies.
Cold brew coffee pH: Is it less acidic than hot coffee?
Yes, cold brew coffee is less acidic than hot coffee but only slightly. A scientific report published in 2018 states that the pH values of cold and hot brewed coffee are within a range of 4.85 to 5.13.
Interestingly, it contains compounds that may safeguard your stomach from acidity. Cold brew coffee contains crude polysaccharides that minimize acidity’s negative effects. These molecules protect the stomach and may be the cause of fewer acid reflux symptoms compared to hot coffee. Because of the lack of heat, oils and acids of coffee grounds are not released into the water.
For a better understanding of pH levels, pH is a scale that is used to measure the acidity or basicity of solutions where the solvent is water. A low pH value means it is an acidic solution while those that have higher pH values are basic or alkaline solutions. The pH scale indicates the concentration of hydrogen ions in solutions and ranges from 0 to 14. The pH level of seven being neutral, less than seven considered as acidic while pHs greater than seven are basic or alkaline.
What is cold brew coffee?
Cold brew is coffee made without heat and by steeping ground coffee in cold water for a few hours. This tends to decrease the acidity that you get from drip coffee and makes the coffee sweeter and smoother. Since cold water is used, it takes longer to extract flavor with a steep time of even 20 hours or more.
Cold-brew coffee also contains more caffeine since the coffee grounds are in contact with water for a long period. A Starbucks 16-ounce cold brew has 205 milligrams of caffeine, for instance. The cold brewing process is also called Toddy brewing since Todd Simpson claims he was the one who introduced it to the USA which he came to know while in Peru in 1964.
Advantages of a cold brew coffee
These are the advantages of a cold brew coffee:
1. It is easy on the stomach.
Cold-brew is easy on your digestive system because of the crude polysaccharides. These sugar molecules boost immunity and prevent gut irritation which is often experienced if you consume hot coffee.
2. It is less acidic.
As mentioned, cold brew is less acidic and more alkaline compared to hot coffee. It may not likely trigger acid reflux or heartburn. However, this may vary from one person to another.
3. You can drink it black.
Cold-brew coffee allows you to drink it black because it is less bitter and smoother. It brings out the best flavors of coffee beans without the bitterness. It also means you won’t be as tempted to add more cream or sugar.
It is worthy to note that while a cold brew is a good alternative for people with sensitive stomachs, it may have varying effects on different individuals. Also, some people prefer pleasantly acidic coffee. A cold brew is a popular option because it has an enhanced natural sweetness and oxidation and degradation of coffee molecules are slowed down. You can store it in the fridge and it can last for up to two weeks.
Conclusion
Cold-brew pH level is within the range of 4.8 to 5.13 and it is considered less acidic compared to hot coffee. However, there is not much data to back this up.
Image: istockphoto.com / Premyuda Yospim
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