Is ginseng coffee healthier than regular coffee?

He Ginseng coffee is becoming a popular drink in Europe. For this coffee, the manufacturers mix ginseng extract with instant coffee powdered or ground coffee beans. Some add other ingredients like sugar and flavorings to the mix.

It is said that the hot drink has a positive effect on the mind and body in various ways, among other things, it is attributed the ability to improve mood and relaxing properties and as an antihypertensive.

Is ginseng coffee healthy?

Ginseng is one of the medicinal plants with the most published scientific studies. Some properties that have been tested are the following:

Promotes concentration and a feeling of having energy (especially in cases of chronic fatigue) Has effects anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antiviral and therefore can prevent flu and colds.Improves the resistance to stress of the body and mind.

Ginseng is a safe plant but excessive consumption can have contraindications with some medications, according to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, which cites the following:

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Insulin or sulfonylureas (may increase their effect). Warfarin, aspirin, or other anticoagulants. Raltegravir (may increase their effects). Imatinib (may increase their liver toxicity)

Coffee, for its part, is a well-known antioxidant and, above all, it is a nervous stimulant. Caffeine can promote intellectual activity, alertness and concentration.

But some people are sensitive and can show nervousness, insomnia and palpitations. It also produces habituation and when you stop taking it, a withdrawal syndrome appears with headache and tiredness.

Is the composition recommended?

It is said that the mixture of coffee and ginseng promotes concentration and the ability to learn and memorize. These are indications that can be justified in part by the known properties of caffeine and ginseng, but logically it can also produce the side effects of both substances.

On the other hand, in commercial products there are usually more ingredients along with coffee and ginseng, such as sugar, glucose syrup or synthetic sweeteners, artificial colors and flavors.

In general, products with added sugars are not recommended. A ginseg coffee capsule prepared in an espresso machine can provide more than 60 calories.

Some products also contain milk protein or milk powder, so they are not suitable for vegans.

How to make homemade ginseng coffee

The best option is undoubtedly to prepare the drink at home from natural ingredients. Due to its slightly bitter and sweet aroma, reminiscent of licorice root, ginseng completes the coffee’s taste.

To prepare it at home, you can buy ginseng root powder from a herbalist and dilute half a teaspoon in 70 ml of hot soy milk. Then prepare half a cup of filter coffee (natural, organic, 100% Arabica) and mix the two preparations. You can sweeten your ginseng coffee with stevia, xylitol or erythritol.

Sustainability and buying advice

If you prefer to buy the coffee with ginseng, you can buy it in the form of powder, single doses and capsules. These are less sustainable, due to excess packaging, which can be made of aluminum or plastic.

When buying, we recommend that you pay attention to quality and choose organic variants to the best of your ability to avoid chemical-synthetic pesticides. if you choose fairtrade products, you contribute to the respect of human and labor rights during production.