Many people start their day right with a hot cup of piping-hot coffee as an essential ritual and comforting routine, while others prefer refreshing coolness of an iced java beverage in a chilled cup. But which coffee type is healthier? L360 investigates this topic through lenses of health, taste and science.

Both types of coffee offer many health advantages, from antioxidants and hydration to metabolism and digestion. Unfortunately, added ingredients like sugar or milk may compromise its nutritional value and detract from any potential advantages it might provide.

Cold brew coffee, created by steeping ground beans in cold water for 12-24 hours, is less acidic than its hot coffee counterpart, making it gentler on your stomach and offering digestive health benefits not found in regular coffee. But since cold brew is often made as a concentrate form, you should expect around 95 mg of caffeine per serving of iced cold brew (36).

Coffee’s caffeine content provides energy boosts that may help improve mood; but drinking moderate amounts of coffee may also boost it further by stimulating neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine that lead to higher alertness levels. While any cup of hot or cold java could have positive results on one person or the other, an overdose could have unwanted consequences (1, 2).

Coffee also offers antioxidant properties that may lower the risk of various diseases, including heart disease and dementia. Studies have revealed that people who drink 3-5 cups per day of coffee have reduced cognitive decline as they age (12), possibly because it helps prevent plaque build-up associated with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases (15).

Study conducted by Niny Z. Rao and published through the American Chemical Society showed that hot brewed coffee extracted more antioxidants than cold brew (16). Furthermore, its antioxidant activity increased with increasing roasting degrees.

If you want to be more eco-conscious, opting for an iced coffee in a glass instead of single-use plastic cups is one easy way (17). Not only will it reduce waste and carbon emissions, but if you opt for this beverage try not to add sugar or other fats that may compromise its hydration potential (19). However, don’t let that prevent you from enjoying an occasional cup of java – in moderation, coffee is great for both body and mind (1)!