Coffee has become ubiquitous in today’s society, with millions of people starting their day with a cup of caffeine. But what about drinking the grounds instead? Could that be a health hazard? Read on to find out.
Most people focus on the brewed coffee, not what is left after being brewed – the spent grounds. Yet for some, drinking the grounds itself may offer some benefits. A cup of grounds, once steeped in warm water, could make a low-caffeine or caffeine-free tea-like beverage. Because of their high acidity, some claim it has a better taste than brewed coffee. It’s said that cakey or sugary qualities can be tasted along with the strong bitter flavours.
The likelihood of adverse effects from drinking the spent coffee grounds appears to be low, if used in moderation. For example, a study published in 2006 in New Zealand compared 70 women who drank a “normal” amount of coffee (or less) with 28 women who consumed a “high” amount of coffee, where “high” was defined as more than 850 mL (roughly 28 ounces) of coffee a day. After adjustment for other sources of caffeine, the study found no difference in one section of cholesterol levels, but did note that having a “high” amount of coffee was associated with higher results in other biomarkers of liver function.
However, it is uncertain whether the data directly applies to consuming spent grounds because the studies were done with brewed coffee, not the grounds. Also, it’s important to keep in mind that studies show the greater health risks are associated with the high consumption of brewed coffee, rather than just one or two cups.
Another concern about drinking coffee grounds is the potential for an excessive amount of caffeine being ingested. The actual amount of caffeine in spent grounds, though, is minuscule and safe. A general rule of thumb is that a single shot of espresso contains approximately 70-90 milligrams of caffeine. A 243-gram cup of coffee grounds is calculated to contain just 18 milligrams of caffeine. Even if you doubled the amount of grounds, it still would not even equal one shot of espresso – and that is by consuming the grounds twice removed (second or thirdhand).
It is important to remember that the consumption of any food should be done in moderation; given the potential of potential harm, it is perhaps best to consume the spent grounds only once a day at most.
Coffee grounds and dental health
Due to the high concentration of acids in coffee grounds, it can have an effect on your dental health. Some dentists are concerned that the acids in coffee grounds can weaken dental enamel – the protective outer covering on teeth. Additionally, when the grounds are ingested, their abrasive nature can lead to the abrasion of dental enamel and the cause of tooth sensitivity.
If you do opt to drink the grounds, it is advised to brush or rinse your mouth out before drinking to help minimise any damage to the teeth and gums. Rinsing your mouth with water after drinking can be beneficial as well, as it can help wash away any residual grounds that may have become stuck in the teeth or gums.
In sum, drinking the grounds seems to have a minimal adverse effect on dental health when taken in moderation.
Coffee grounds and digestive health
The acidity of coffee grounds may affect the digestion process. Drinking concentrated coffee can lead to gastric issues, in some cases leading to indigestion or heartburn. Additionally, spending grounds can act as a laxative in the stomach leading to diarrhoea.
Generally, drinking a single cup of grounds won’t have such effects. But, if you have an overly sensitive stomach, it is probably best to avoid consuming too many cups in a day. It is also advised to try and rinse the grounds out of your mouth before they are consumed to reduce the amount of acid being introduced to the stomach.
Other potential health issues
There are other potential health issues beyond the digestive and dental realms. For example, spending grounds may contain toxins such as Benzene that can have an adverse health effect. But further research is needed to ascertain the full effects these toxins have on human health.
Also, as with anything, balance is key as to how much spent grounds is consumed. For instance, if one adds too much water and too many grounds, the beverage can become overly bitter. Too much bitterness can lead to nausea in some people. Therefore, it is best to use fewer grounds if the beverage is too bitter.
Coffee grinds for skin care and other uses
The amazing thing about coffee is that it can be used for other parts of your life. The grounds can be used as an exfoliant for skin care, to reduce the appearance of cellulite and even as a natural insect repellant.
Like other exfoliants, coffee ground can be used to remove dead skin cells and uncover younger, healthier skin cells. When applied to the skin, it can help to reduce the look of wrinkles, smooth out complexion, and reduce the appearance of dark spots. Additionally, some studies have suggested that the caffeine content in coffee grounds can help reduce the appearance of cellulite on the skin, as well as to distract from the effects of other skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.
Coffee grounds can also act as an effective natural insect repellant. It is particularly effective with flies and mosquitoes. Simply mix the grounds with water and spray them around the area you are trying to keep the bugs away from.
Recycling and composting spent grounds
One other benefit of the spent coffee grounds is their role in helping the earth. The grounds can impact the environment with their biodegradability and can be recycled in a number of ways. They may be used to feed earthworms, or be put into compost piles. Composting coffee grounds can help nourish the soil and infuse it with nitrogen, phosphorus and other minerals that plants need to survive.
In addition to putting grounds in compost, coffee grounds can also be used as mulch in gardens, providing valuable fertiliser, insulation, and weed control benefits. Additionally, it is said that coffee grounds can also be used to help deter animals such as slugs and cats from invading your garden.
Conclusion
Overall, it would appear that consuming spent grounds in moderation could be beneficial to the health and wellbeing of people, animals, and plants alike. It is recommended, however, to take caution when consuming spent grounds due to the presence of acids and toxins. Additionally, the grounds should only be consumed once or twice a day.
Moreover, the spent grounds can be put to use for skin care, insect repellant and the environment, with their biodegradability. Utilizing the spent grounds is an effective and efficient way to be environmentally-friendly and reduce waste in our environment.
