Is coffee mate bad for you?

In this brief guide, we will answer the query, “Is coffee mate bad for you?” and will discuss what coffee mate is and its ingredients that are harmful to human health.

Is coffee mate bad for you?

Yes, coffee mate is bad for you. Preservatives, refined sugar, and partly hydrogenated oils are included in coffee mate creamer. The deficiency of essential nutrients, such as minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants, makes it unhealthy. Refined sugar and partly hydrogenated oils are linked with obesity and heart diseases. On the other hand, it contains casein, an important milk protein for bone and muscle mass growth (1). 

What are coffee mates and its ingredients?

Nestlé produces Coffee-mate, a lactose-free creamer available in powder, liquid, and concentrated liquid form. It is a coffee whitener. Carnation debuted in 1961.

Ingredients

Coffee-mate Hydrogenated vegetable oil and sodium caseinate make up the majority of the original’s three components. If you’re looking for non-dairy creamers that don’t include lactose, you’ll need sodium caseinate, which is a type of casein. Dipotassium phosphate, mono- and diglycerides, sodium aluminosilicate (an anticaking agent), and artificial taste and annatto color are also included in Coffee-mate Original.

Varieties of coffee mate

First came the initial product in February 1961, followed by the Lite and Liquid versions in 1989.

Currently, the product is made in Glendale, California, by Nestle and is offered in liquid, liquid concentrate, and powdered versions. In addition to gingerbread, Parisian almond crème, and peppermint mocha, American Coffee-mate is available in over 25 other flavors. Coffee-mate Soy and Coffee-mate Half & Half have been discontinued.

Depending on where you live in Europe, it is only available as a powdered coffee creamer in one or two flavors. There is no hydrogenated fat in the European form of Coffee-mate, which has been related to heart disease.

Refined sugar in the coffee mate

Corn syrup solids are the refined sugar in a coffee mate. In general, maize is an issue since so much of it is genetically engineered in today’s culture. When the water in corn syrup is removed, you’re left with a concentrated sweetener that’s 100 percent glucose. There is a relationship between the obesity pandemic and the health problems that come from excessive weight gain because of the use of refined carbohydrates.

Because refined sugars are connected to visceral fat buildup and metabolic syndrome (increased risk of type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease), it is important to avoid these foods. Refined sugars increase the desire for sweets, which may lead to tooth damage faster. Our mineral and vitamin reserves might be depleted by substituting refined sweets for healthful meals (like natural sugars from fruits and vegetables that are high in minerals and vitamins).

Several studies indicate that higher consumption of added sugars increases the risk of type 2 diabetes among adults and this relationship is not fully explained by body weight. Additional concerns include the effect of added sugar intakes on cardiovascular disease risk factors related to serum lipids, blood pressure, and inflammation. Elevated fasting triglycerides, high blood pressure and systemic inflammation are also associated with a high intake of glucose (2).

Refined sugars have also been shown to interfere with enzyme activities that reduce our capacity to absorb and use critical nutrients and micronutrients.

Partly hydrogenated oils in coffee mate

Coffee-mate is thickened with partly hydrogenated soybean oil to enhance the taste and lengthen the shelf life of the product. Trans fats, such as partially hydrogenated oils, might harm human health. Adding hydrogen to liquid vegetable oils solidifies the resulting partly hydrogenated oil. You may take an excellent oil and make it a terrible oil by hydrogenating it. The body is more at risk from partly hydrogenated oils than it is from completely hydrogenated oils, which is an ironic result.

Fatty acids are largely saturated fatty acids and are solid fat (like butter) at room temperature. If they are attached to an unsaturated fatty acid, known as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), they are an oil (like soybean oil) at room temperature. In the late 1800s, a French chemist discovered that an unsaturated fatty acid can be converted to a saturated fatty acid by bubbling hydrogen through a heated vegetable oil in a closed vessel. If completely hydrogenated, they become solid. However, this process gives rise to trans fat, which are artificial fatty acids, with negative health effects (3).

The effects on cholesterol levels in the blood and systemic inflammation that partially hydrogenated oils have been well-documented. Increase your risk of heart disease by using these oils that lower your HDL (good cholesterol) and boost your LDL (bad cholesterol).

Prostacyclin, an anticoagulant, and vasodilator found naturally in artery walls are prevented from synthesizing when trans fat is consumed. Blood clots may develop if your arteries are unable to generate prostacyclin, and you might have a rapid cardiovascular catastrophe. Trans fat contributes to arterial hardening and atherosclerosis by hardening the arteries. Trans fat has the potential to oxidize cholesterol, increasing the production of thromboxane, which is a factor in blood clotting. Prostacyclin and thromboxane are derivatives from essential fatty acids and regulate the blood flow and blood clotting. The balance between prostacyclin for flow and thromboxane for clotting is very delicate and the presence of trans fat in the arteries may depress the secretion of prostacyclin that keeps the blood from clotting (3).

Dipotassium phosphate in coffee mate

Dipotassium phosphate is another artificial element in this creamer. This substance prevents the coagulation of liquids and extends its shelf life. Fertilizers and cosmetics also include it .

Coffee mate also contains sodium aluminum silicate, a common anti-caking agent used in the food industry. Aluminum can produce toxicity to the central nervous, skeletal and hematopoietic systems, cognitive deficits in young children, a low-turnover bone disease, a microcytic hypochromic and anemia (4).

Healthy alternatives for coffee mate

The substances in coffee mate cream are harmful and have no benefit to your well-being. Honey, stevia, agave nectar, coconut milk, almond milk, whole milk, genuine cream, or half and half are some of the healthier options for your coffee or tea. If you don’t want to add any cream or sugar to your coffee or tea, you may just drink it without them. Antioxidant absorption may be enhanced in this manner, according to some professionals.

Conclusion

In this brief guide, we answered the query, “Is coffee mate bad for you?” and will discuss what coffee mate is and its ingredients that are harmful for human health.

References

  1. Mølgaard, Christian, et al. Milk and growth in children: effects of whey and casein. Milk milk prod human nutr, 2011, 67, 67-78. 
  2. Parker, Kay, Michelle Salas, and Veronica C. Nwosu. High fructose corn syrup: production, uses and public health concerns. Biotechnol Molec Biol Rev, 2010, 5, 71-78.
  3. Kummerow, Fred A. The negative effects of hydrogenated trans fats and what to do about them. Atheroscler, 2009, 205, 458-465.
  4. Yokel, Robert A. Aluminum in food–the nature and contribution of food additives. Vol. 203. Rijeka, Croatia: Intech, 2012.

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