Is making coffee child’s play? Yes! Available for discounted price of ₹1799 only ($25) for the #holidayseason . . . #childsplay #coffeetoys

via Instagram

The magical dark substance that turns “leave me alone” into “good morning beautiful world” . . . #blackcoffee #coffeed #balckisback

via Instagram

Incomplete without coffee

via Instagram

Benefits of Drinking Black Coffee

A few months ago, I walked into a quaint cafe and treated myself with chocolate mocha after a delicious meal. The decadent cup was inhaled in three large gulps. For my gluttony, I was about to suffer miserably.

As soon as I clicked on the car seat belt, I felt uncomfortable. An hour-long walk in the playground nearby felt like I was dragging a heavy rock behind me on that beautiful Spring afternoon . As soon as I was indoors, the walls began to close in. So I headed out again into the chilly twilight for a breath of fresh air and ponder why I couldn't stomach one day of indulgence.

As the blood flowed freely, I recollected other times when I felt similarly uncomfortable. The culprit was identified milk. More specifically, my lactose intolerance.

While my usual cup of coffee at work or home has a splash of cream or milk (which didn't noticeably irritate my stomach), a full cup of whole milk was too much. I also happen to dislike ice-cream since a young age, and now it makes sense why orange popsicle was always my jam!

With this new insight, I updated my coffee to black "normal coffee", without any additives. Most of us don't like coffee black because we don't pick quality coffee. We add milk/cream and sugar to make it more palatable, because cafe solo (Spanish for 'coffee alone') can taste bitter. When brewed right, black coffee is a delightful sensory experience!

Cognitive and mood benefits are often attributed to caffeine in coffee. The aroma of freshly brewed mug of coffee dispels brain fog. Hence the idiom:

Wake up and smell the coffee

The jolt of caffeine can kick start your metabolism. Bonus points when you hit the gym right after consuming your cup of joe.

Psychoactive effects include better concentration and faster response. I give credit to successful score during my Class 10 exams to coffee. I'd wake up at 5am for final revision with a steaming cup of coffee in my hand. Whatever I'd crammed up last night was lost from memory; the formulas and names I read in the morning seemed to stick. I went on to apply the same recipe for Class 12 and college grad exams. Coffee is often prescribed for teens suffering with ADHD for less disruptive classroom behavior and better test scores.

On days when I haven't slept enough (less than 8 hours), I take a 'coffee nap' to feel less like a zombie after lunch. For nailing a successful coffee nap, you guzzle a quarter mug of coffee, set your alarm for 20 minutes, put on your eye mask and play a white noise soundtrack. The caffeine starts to work its magic in 20 minutes and you awake pumped up and revving to go. It's the same reason a cup of black coffee is advocated before a workout.

Don't just take my word for it. This video by Michael Greger shows scientific studies confirming that milk blocks absorption of good nutrients in coffee, chocolate, tea, even blueberries.

x