Cold brew coffee, produced by steeping coffee grounds in cold water for 12-24 hours before infusing, has grown increasingly popular due to its smooth flavor and potential health benefits. Cold brew boasts more caffeine than traditional drip coffee for improved energy and alertness, and as its acidity levels are lower it may help those suffering from heartburn or sensitive stomachs more than traditional drip.

But is cold brew really healthier than regular coffee? To get the facts and dispel any myths regarding hot vs. cold brew coffee, we consulted with several experts.

Hot coffee is made by pouring hot water over ground beans and brewing for several minutes, creating an aromatic cup with many varieties of flavors. But its use also comes at the cost of some antioxidants being stripped from it – research shows that chemical compound acrylamide linked with esophageal and stomach cancer forms more often when heated coffee is prepared in this manner than with cold brew which has less acidity and contains lower concentrations of acrylamide than regular coffee brew.

However, the exact chemistry that explains why cold brew coffee is less acidic remains unclear. It could be because it takes longer to brew in cold water, or perhaps because its grounds are finer than those used for hot coffee brewing.

Though hot coffee contains the carcinogen acrylamide, studies have not proven that roasted coffee is more acidic than unroasted or raw beans. Acidity levels refer to how basic or acidic substances are; foods and drinks with an acidity rating below 7 may erode tooth enamel while beverages with a pH level above 7 (such as water) can be considered neutral.

Acidity levels vary depending on the roast, with darker roasts providing greater retention of flavor compounds and acidity levels. Most experts advise opting for dark or medium roasts over light ones for optimal results. The darker roasted your coffee is, the greater flavor compounds it retains.

As for its overall health effects, both hot and cold brew can help promote weight loss when included as part of an overall healthy diet. It should be noted, however, that too much caffeine can have negative side effects such as jitters, headaches and insomnia; to minimize potential discomfort it’s recommended limiting daily caffeine consumption to 400 milligrams or less.

Cold brew offers more benefits than simply reducing chronic disease risks; it’s an excellent source of caffeine and antioxidants; its low caloric intake allows it to serve as the basis of cocktails or recipes; plus you can store a batch in your refrigerator for up to two weeks! So what are you waiting for? Brew yourself a batch today – you won’t regret it later!