Coffee lovers know there’s something magical about a cup of joe: the rich aroma, comforting warmth, and complex flavors that make it a cherished part of the day. As a dietitian and dedicated coffee fan myself, I appreciate its potential coffee can have health benefitslike that antioxidant its qualities, its ability to cheer us up, and its link to the reduces the risk of developing dementia.
Relax, I’m not here to tell you give up your beloved coffee habit. However, we need to talk about what you can pair with that morning vegetable that you really, really shouldn’t.
Many people enjoy the convenience of daily vitamins or supplements with their coffee; seems like a productive way to combine two healthy habits. But here’s the catch: certain compounds in coffee can interfere with the absorption or effectiveness of certain nutrients and compounds. This means that if you wash some supplements down with dark roast, you may not get the full benefits you expect.
Here, we examine how coffee affects nutrient absorption, and shed light on which supplements should be kept separate from your morning cup – and when they should be taken.
Why coffee and supplements don’t always mix?
To understand why coffee and certain supplements clash, we need to look at the chemistry of the drink. Coffee is complex, containing hundreds of different compounds. Two of these compounds are primarily responsible for influencing the absorption of nutrients: tannins and caffeine.
Tannins are a type of polyphenol found in coffee, real tea and wine. While they act as antioxidants, they also act as “anti-nutrients”. Tannins bind to certain minerals in the digestive system. When they do that, then they form complexes which are much more difficult for the body to absorb. This can reduce the amount of nutrients entering the bloodstream as the unabsorbed portion passes through the digestive system.
Caffeine brings its own challenges to your morning vitamin routine. It slightly stimulates the digestive system increasing the speed of movement of food and accessories through the gastrointestinal tract. While this effect is usually too mild to significantly affect nutrient absorption, excessive caffeine intake or pre-existing digestive problems can reduce the time it takes for the intestines to absorb certain nutrients.
4 accessories to keep it away from your coffee cup
If you’re investing in supplements and want to get the full nutrition you paid for, you may need to ditch coffee from your medicine cabinet. Here are the four supplements I tell people to try to avoid adding to their morning brew.
