With the blend of robust coffee grounds, cardamom, and sugar, nothing can beat the taste of the resulting Turkish coffee. Besides, the coffee drink brings to the table immense health benefits. Even so, I cannot ignore some of its drawbacks if taken in excess. In this post, I will take you through the disadvantages of Turkish coffee.
Turkish coffee contains caffeine that can cause sleep disturbance, anxiety, addiction, and other health problems. If a breastfeeding or pregnant mother takes too much Turkish coffee, the caffeine might harm the baby. In addition, added sugars may increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes and obesity.
However, before you view Turkish coffee in a bad light and vow to never consume it again, let’s first spare some time and learn more about this unique brew. At the end of it, you will realize that there is more to it than meets the eye.
Table of Contents
What is Turkish Coffee?
Turkish coffee is a coffee preparation method originating from European and Middle East countries like Iran, Turkey, and Greece. Traditionally, Turkish coffee is brewed in a special pot known as cezve, although you can still use any other vessel.
While making Turkish coffee, you mix fine coffee grounds with water and often sugar. Afterward, you allow the mixture to boil until it forms frothy foam.
The fascinating part about Turkish coffee is that you leave it unfiltered when serving. All you have to do is pour your brew with the coffee grounds into a cup. While the grounds settle at the bottom of the cup, you consume the resulting liquid.
You can serve the coffee drink unsweetened or add some sugar moderately. Cardamon spice can also help add flavor to your Turkish coffee.
The unfiltered nature of Turkish coffee makes it have the highest caffeine concentration of other coffee preparation methods.
Disadvantages of Turkish Coffee
Like other caffeinated coffee drinks, excess consumption of Turkish coffee poses some health risks. They include:
1. Sleep Disturbances
While Turkish coffee gives you the much-needed energy boost and helps you stay awake during working hours, I take it as a double-edged sword. Excess caffeine consumption can lead to a lack of sleep when you most need it. And that mostly happens if you drink coffee at night.
Therefore, if it is hard for you to sleep, I advise you to avoid or reduce your caffeine consumption. Alternatively, you can opt to drink coffee during morning hours.
2. Anxiety and Restlessness
In a serving, Turkish coffee gives you about 65 mg of caffeine. This amount is more than enough to heighten anxiety and restlessness in your body.
Here is how this happens, when you consume caffeine, it sticks to specific receptors in the brain. It further prevents these receptors from coming into contact with a compound known as adenosine.
Adenosine is a natural hormone that assists the brain to calm down and relax, helping you get to sleep. In addition, because caffeine functions against this compound, it may not be ideal for you to consume it if you are already stressed, restless, and anxious. It only worsens things.
3. Unsafe for Breastfeeding and Pregnancy
The excitement of having babies and watching them grow healthy is immeasurable. Even so, as a mother, you need to make vital adjustments in your life to guarantee the safety of your unborn or lactating baby. And that includes watching your caffeine consumption.
To you, it might be okay to take your cup of coffee. But what about your unborn baby, whose metabolism is still growing?
And not only that, during breastfeeding, all the nutrients a mother consumes get into the baby’s milk, and that includes even caffeine. For that reason, I do not recommend Turkish coffee for breastfeeding and pregnant mothers.
4. Addiction
Regular caffeine consumption triggers your brain to produce more adenosine. The aim is often to keep up with the high caffeine levels that work against the hormone.
Alongside that, your brain also enhances dopamine and serotonin production. Serotonin refers to the hormone in charge of well-being or feelings, while dopamine is a neurotransmitter and hormone responsible for motivation.
Regular consumption of Turkish coffee can make you insensitive to these particular hormones. Therefore, when you are not consuming coffee, you may feel coffee cravings because of the high production levels of these hormones.
5. Cholesterol Problems
The coffee beans you use to brew coffee contain two chemicals, namely kahweol and cafestol. These two increase LDL and total cholesterol levels in the blood. When you filter your coffee, you manage to remove these chemicals from your cup at a large margin.
But Turkish coffee comes unfiltered. And that leaves it with high levels of kahweol and cafestol chemicals. Thus, if you aim at reducing your cholesterol levels, Turkish coffee might not be the best alternative.
How to Shield Yourself from Turkish Coffee Side Effects
I know by now; you might be thinking of getting away with Turkish coffee for good. But no, that’s not the best way out. Anything you regularly consume in excess can be harmful.
Yet still, most coffee types contain caffeine, including your most loved Espresso and Vietnamese coffee. But coffee lovers still drink them and are just fine.
Even so, to better enjoy your Turkish coffee and minimize its side effects, exercise moderation. A cup or two during the day won’t do you any harm.
However, if you have an existing health condition, it would be best to consult your doctor for details of what you can consume. For healthy adults, enjoy your life with a tasty cup of Turkish coffee.
How to Make Turkish Coffee
Look! You have to try making this delicious coffee drink at home. Simply follow the 7 steps below:
- Give your coffee beans a fine powder grind.
- Measure five heaping teaspoons of the ground coffee and pour it into a pot with a cup of filtered, cold water. Add sugar if desired.
- Allow the mixture to heat under medium-low heat.
- When the coffee settles at the pot’s bottom, gently stir the mixture, but don’t overdo it.
- Continue heating your coffee mixture to create a thick foam.
- Transfer the coffee into a cup and add the excess foam on top. Don’t filter your mixture.
- Wait for the grinds to get to the bottom and enjoy the resulting brew.
Alternatively, watch this video.
Note: Feel free to add to the brew cardamom and sugar to suit your taste. You can as well drink your Turkish coffee without them.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What are the benefits of Turkish coffee?
Boosts physical performance, protects your body from diseases such as liver cirrhosis, and keeps your body energized, to mention but a few.
How much Turkish coffee can you consume in a day?
An average of two cups in a day won’t do you any harm. Just ensure you are drinking your Turkish coffee moderately
Final Thoughts
I hope this post has helped you understand the disadvantages of Turkish coffee. But even as you think that the disadvantages of Turkish coffee are many, there are benefits too. My advice to you is to always stay safe by drinking your Turkish coffee in moderation. If you do so, the chances of experiencing any of these side effects will be minimal.