Cold Brew coffee has been getting a lot of hype lately. We know it is less acidic, 
but does it have the health benefits of hot brewed coffee? Here we’ll examine cold brew coffee vs hot brew coffee – which is better?
Health Benefits of Coffee
Yes, coffee does have health benefits! That’s great news. Most of the studies done on the health benefits of coffee, however, were done just on hot brewed coffee. There haven’t been as many studies yet performed on cold brewed coffee, or on cold brew vs hot brew.
Benefits of Hot Brew Coffee
Regularly-brewed or hot brew coffee has large amounts of antioxidants and healthy, natural oils. We all know it’s a stimulant, gives energy and boosts focus. Coffee improves several areas of brain function, increasing happy mood as well as energy, memory and general cognitive function. Read the science behind it here.
Coffee improves our performance in workouts and helps burn fat. It also contains several vitamins and minerals, small amounts of Vitamins B2, B5, Manganese and Potassium, Magnesium and Niacin (Vitamin B3). The percentages are small, but many of us drink more than one cup a day.
Coffee is considered one of the healthiest parts of the Western diet. Besides the large amount of antioxidants (more than in many fruits and veggies combined), studies show that it helps protect against stroke, it may lower the risk of heart disease, some types of cancer, Parkinson’s Disease, Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease and Type II Diabetes. It elevates mood and helps against depression.
Benefits of Cold Brew Coffee
People love cold brew coffee because it reduces the acidity of coffee, creating an amazingly smooth taste. The lower acidity aids in digestion and is better for your teeth. It’s easy to make – can be made with a jar – and keeps in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Cold brew makes a coffee concentrate that you can drink straight, like espresso, or you can water it down to your taste and preference with cream, milk or water. It can be drunk hot or cold. It is absolutely delicious.
One of my favorites is the Nitro Cold Brew you can get at Starbucks and craft coffee houses. Like beer, the coffee is charged with nitrogen, creating a rich, 
creamy head at the top of the cup. It adds a hint of natural sweetness to the already-smooth cold brew and is silky in the mouth – yummm.
Cold Brew Coffee vs Hot Brew Coffee
Because cold brew coffee is brewed at cold or room temperature, not as many of the antioxidants will be removed from the coffee into the water. The delicious, aromatic oils and acids from coffee molecules extract best at temperatures ranging from 195-205 degrees – hot brewed, in other words.
Again, not much scientific research has yet been done on comparing these two methods of coffee brewing. Overall, there doesn’t seem to be much difference as to caffeine levels, and other differences are likely minimal.
Which do you need the most?
It comes down to personal preference. Do you desire the lower acidity and smoother taste? Or do you prefer drinking the maximum amount of healthy antioxidants and oils? Alternate cold brew vs hot brew in the cups you drink, and you’ll get the most benefits from both.
