Coffee consumption: Tips for reducing bitterness and managing caffeine tolerance

Research and nutritional experts offer insights into improving the coffee drinking experience and understanding caffeine effects. To reduce the bitterness often found in cheaper, dark-roasted coffee blends, adding a tiny pinch of salt can help enhance natural sweetness. This method is common in parts of Scandinavia and Turkey. Bitterness is primarily caused by chlorogenic acid lactones and phenylindanes created during the roasting process, rather than caffeine itself.

Regarding energy levels, nutrition expert Miško Páleník explains that caffeine does not provide actual energy but temporarily suppresses fatigue signals. Regular consumption of 100 to 200 mg of caffeine daily can lead to tolerance, where the substance no longer acts as a stimulant but becomes a necessity to maintain a normal state. To avoid disrupting sleep, it is recommended to consume the last cup of coffee at least six to eight hours before bedtime.