As new scientific guidance underscores that what goes into each cup of coffee can change its health profile, OCS operators may want to reevaluate product offerings and brewing methods.
Recent reviews of large observational studies and randomized trials show that coffee’s purported benefits — such as reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and mortality — are most pronounced when additives are minimal, notes Dr. Trisha Pasricha, a physician and author of the Ask a Doctor column in The Washington Post. In her October 13 column, she explains why “What you put in your coffee can have an outsize impact on your health.” Among the advice: limiting added sugar to about one teaspoon per cup, and sticking to modest amounts of whole milk (approximately two tablespoons) helps preserve those benefits.
Coffee can be good for you, several studies have found, because coffee is the No. 1 source of antioxidants in the American diet.
Some popular coffee add-ins (think ultra-processed creamers, often composed largely of vegetable oils and added sugars) may erode coffee’s positive effects, the new analysis warns. Meanwhile, artificial sweeteners may eliminate the benefits seen in lightly sweetened or unsweetened coffee.
Brewing technique also plays a role. Unfiltered methods (like French press) allow compounds called diterpenes to remain in the cup; these have been linked to higher cholesterol and adverse outcomes in large population studies. Filtered methods, which trap diterpenes via paper filtration, are recommended for regular consumption.
Timing matters, too. One recent investigation found that people who drank most of their coffee before noon had a 16% lower risk of death from all causes compared to peers who spread consumption later into the day, even when accounting for sleep and other habits.
For operators in the vending and refreshment sector, these findings can inform product offerings in OCS programs. Stocking lower-sugar options, offering real milk alternatives and highlighting filtered brewing methods as a part of the overall product mix, for instance, can help meet consumers’ interest in more healthful options.
