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Three myths about coffee and the facts behind them

Part of Other Side of the Story

A woman in a green jumper drinks a cup of coffee

The nation loves a good old brew, but not the one you're thinking of! Coffee is loved by many around the world with Brits drinking a whopping 98 million cups every day. International Coffee Day marks the celebration of all things coffee every October, from whipped coffee to espresso.

So, let’s explore some interesting facts and debunk some myths about coffee.

Does coffee remove dark circles? Can a "nappuccino" boost your productivity levels? And does decaf really mean caffeine free?

3 Myths about coffee and the truth behind them

A woman in a green jumper drinks a cup of coffee
1. Coffee can remove dark circles – MYTH
Social posts claiming that coffee can remove dark circles from under the eyes

This TikTok post went viral in 2023, with over 360k likes supposedly showing how coffee grounds can reduce the appearance of dark circles. The hack quickly became a TikTok trend with loads of people trying it out for themselves and sharing it on social media. However, this has been disputed by specialist skin doctors who say that applying coffee grounds to the under eye area can cause irritation, inflammation and other skin issues.

Medical experts have found that caffeine-based products can help to minimise dark circles when applied to the skin, as a result of something called “vasoconstriction”, which constricts the blood vessels under our eyes but do not advise using actual coffee grounds.

When on social media it’s important to get information from a variety of trusted outlets and use reliable sources when seeking medical advice.

2. Decaf coffee doesn't contain caffeine - MYTH
A social media post about decaf coffee

This is a myth. Decaffeinated coffee still actually contains some caffeine, however studies have shown that the amount of caffeine in a decaf coffee is minimal.

Researchers have found that the process of extracting coffee, called “decaffeination”, removes most of the caffeine - about 97% - but not all of it.

3. A "nappucino" increases alertness and productivity – MAYBE
A social media post about a nappuccino drink

This is technically true! Research has found that caffeine takes 15 to 20 minutes to kick in, so the “nappuccino” - a quick power nap after a coffee - could provide a feeling of alertness and increased high energy levels for some people, according to recent studies.

The term “nappuccino” circulated around social media when Dr Cheri Mah, sleep expert at the Stanford Sleep Medicine Center, explained the method on a popular UK podcast, Diary of a CEO. The TikTok clip discussing the method reached over 1.3 million views.

When reading or watching content about food and drink online, make sure you only consider nutrition and health advice from trusted sources and professionals. It’s always worth exploring alternative points of view and opinions to get the full picture and help ensure you’re not being biased, misinformed or in your own echo chamber.

When is International Coffee Day?

International Coffee Day is celebrated on 1 October every year, and aims to showcase the coffee sector’s diversity and quality, and support local farmers who depend on the crop. It's a day to bring coffee lovers together to appreciate the beverage and the hard work that goes into producing coffee beans, as well as promoting fair trade and sustainable practices.

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