Khaberni - Coffee creamer (whitener) was designed to be a long-lasting practical alternative to milk that is added to coffee, but it is now available in seasonal flavors and has spread widely especially in modern cafes due to its ease of use. Experts warn that it is just an unhealthy addition to coffee.
According to "Daily Mail", common artificial ingredients in coffee whiteners include artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners like sucralose and acesulfame potassium, in addition to emulsifiers and thickeners such as carrageenan, and monoglycerides and diglycerides.
Fats and Sugar
Many types of liquid and powdered coffee creamers contain hydrogenated oils (trans fats), high fructose corn syrup, and other additives to improve texture and shelf life.
Sweetened coffee additives typically contain between 5 and 10 grams of sugar per tablespoon, while traditional dairy products, like half-and-half cream, contain about one gram per tablespoon.
Emulsifiers and Stabilizers
About this, Dr. David Sinclair, a professor at Harvard Medical School, said that the mixture of thickeners, emulsifiers, and stabilizers in coffee creamer could cause disruption in the intestinal barrier and changes in the microbiome, which may contribute to the development of colon cancer.
At the same time, the sugar and fructose in some flavored creamers can cause consumers to exceed the daily limits recommended by doctors, affecting blood sugar levels and increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Some products also contain fully or partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, or high saturated fat dairy components, which may increase harmful cholesterol levels when consumed daily. This has a dangerous effect on the heart.
Instead of artificial coffee creamer, Dr. Sinclair prefers to use nut milks, such as almond milk and walnut milk without added sugar.
Bloating
Dr. Raj Dasgupta, an internal medicine specialist, agrees with Dr. Sinclair's opinion regarding coffee whiteners, which he described as closer to "sweetened and processed desserts than to milk".
He added, "I have seen patients who use flavored whiteners daily and they feel tired and bloated or suffer from stomach issues. Once they switched to plain milk or homemade whiteners, their energy and digestion improved significantly."
