That creamy, cascading pour of cold brew coffee infused with nitrogen gas sure looks enticing. With its dreamy texture resembling a stout beer, nitro coffee promises a smoother taste and velvety mouthfeel. But could ingesting all that nitrogen come with health concerns? Does nitro coffee’s trendy preparation make it likely to make you sick? In this post we talk about Can Nitro Coffee Make You Sick.
Let’s dive into the potential downsides of chugging nitrogen alongside your cold caffeine fix. While rare and mild, there are some unpleasant gastric disturbances linked with nitro coffee consumption. Read on to understand how it affects your body, and who should sip nitro brews cautiously.
What is Nitro Coffee?
Before assessing any risks, let’s first understand what sets nitro coffee apart from regular cold brew. Nitrogen gas gets forcibly infused into cold brewed coffee right before serving through special nitro taps. This gives nitro coffee that signature creamy, cascading texture by forming microscopic bubbles.
The nitrogen infusion also changes the flavor profile, amplifying sweetness while smoothing out bitterness. The indulgent end result resembles a hybrid between cold brew and a Guinness beer. But unlike alcohol, it’s not the intoxicating effects of nitro we should worry about – it’s potential GI issues.
Why Nitrogen Causes Gas and Bloating
So if nitrogen makes up over 70% of the air we breathe regularly with no issues, why would it cause stomach problems in coffee? Ultimately, it comes down to the quantity consumed, and people’s individual tolerance levels.
The high nitrogen saturation makes nitro coffee much more likely to cause gas, bloating, and discomfort compared to regular carbonated drinks. And for some sensitive individuals, even small amounts spell tummy trouble. Here’s a breakdown of why nitro doesn’t always sit well:
1. Rapid nitrogen bubble expansion as it warms inside the body, building up excessive gas.
2. The smaller nitrogen bubble size (compared to carbonation bubbles) permeates stomach tissue faster rather than getting burped up.
3. People lacking sufficient gut bacteria to help break down and digest nitrogen will experience more intense symptoms.
Overall, that huge hit of nitrogen overloads many people’s digestive systems, causing uncomfortable amounts of gas, bloating, and flatulence until it gets passed out of the body.
Does Nitrogen Pose Other Health Risks in Coffee?
Alongside temporary gastric distress, emerging research shows potential neural and cardiovascular risks associated with nitrogen-rich drinks over time – especially for sensitive groups.
Increased anxiety and impaired cognition: Elevated nitrogen levels may negatively impact neurotransmitters for some, though research is limited. Those prone to anxiety or mental health conditions should limit intake.
Vision disturbance risks: Consuming beverages highly saturated with nitrogen gas has very rarely been linked to vision loss from blocked ocular blood vessels.
Cardiovascular strain: For a small number of people, rapidly ingested nitrogen bubbles may place added strain on the heart. Those with cardiovascular issues should exercise caution with nitro brews.
Not everyone will experience these side effects with an occasional nitro coffee. And gas/bloating impacts vary hugely based on individual tolerance. But it’s helpful knowing the range of potential downsides before guzzling gallons of nitrogen-infused beverages.
Tips for Drinking Nitro Coffee Safely
Instead of writing off nitro coffee completely over health worries, try these tips for mitigating risks:
– Start with a small 8 oz nitro coffee instead of large 20 oz pours to assess tolerance.
– Only consume 1 nitro coffee per day maximum as an occasional treat, not an all-day habit.
– Always have it with food which can aid digestion and dissipate gas buildup.
– Opt for a nitro coffee with a 70% nitrogen infusion instead of the maximum 80% saturation.
– Allow any nitro coffee to sit 5 minutes before consuming so bubbles settle slightly.
– Pay attention to your body and stop drinking nitro versions if gas/bloating persists.
– Stick to nitro in moderation if you have anxiety, cognitive, vision, or cardiovascular issues.
The Takeaway: Enjoy Nitro Coffee in Moderation
When consumed mindfully in small quantities and with food by healthy individuals, nitro coffee poses a low health risk while offering a decadent texture. But excessive, rapid consumption – especially on an empty stomach or by sensitive people – may cause temporary gastric distress along with rare concerning side effects. As with any trendy food, moderation remains key.
Ultimately, know your personal tolerance levels, pay attention to your body, and enjoy nitro coffee safely within reasonable limits. And if gastrointestinal or other symptoms persist, avoid nitro brews altogether for the sake of your long-term wellbeing. I hope this Can Nitro Coffee Make You Sick post helps you.