Can You Eat Coffee Grounds?

You can eat coffee beans and chocolate-covered espresso beans, but what about coffee grounds, Can you eat coffee grounds?

This is a question that I have seen getting asked a few times when it was brought up in our online coffee community.

The quick answer if you are in a rush is yes, you can eat coffee grounds. But there is a lot more that you need to know before you jump right in and start eating coffee grounds.

Keep reading to find out a lot more about eating coffee grounds and be on the safe side should you decide to.

Can You Eat Coffee Grounds?

Yes, your coffee grounds are edible and nontoxic. Your used and leftover coffee grounds still contain antioxidants, nutrients, dietary fiber and notably high levels of phenolic compounds.

Phenolic compounds are organic compounds that have been proven in various peer-reviewed studies to combat pathogens, harmful UV rays, boost cardiovascular strength and aid diabetes as well as help prevent cancer.

You can use your coffee grounds to make marinades that tenderize meat, make cookies, brownies and coffee cakes and a coffee granola bar to name just a few alternative culinary uses for your coffee grounds.

Read: How much caffeine is in chocolate covered espresso beans?

What Happens If You Eat A Spoonful Of Coffee Grounds

Coffee grounds, used or fresh, will not make you sick if you eat a spoonful of them. This is the most important aspect to understand.

There is some caffeine but a lot less if they have been used to brew a cup of coffee and there are still some of the health benefiting antioxidants, dietary fiber and nutrients as well as other compounds that are good for you.

There are some risks associated with eating coffee grounds which are associated with excess caffeine consumption. Due to eating coffee grounds, fresh or used, the caffeine content is more direct to your blood stream when compared to drinking coffee.

Excess caffeine consumption can lead to insomnia, stress, anxiety, panic attacks to name a few unpleasant effects. If you are to participate in the consumption of coffee ground, coffee beans or chocolate covered coffee beans, keep in mind that you may be giving up that tasty cup of coffee in exchange for eating coffee grounds or beans.

Use the general rule of thumb for eating coffee is to not eat them within 8 hours of your anticipated bedtime and stick to the 400 mg daily amount of caffeine per day as suggested by the FDA.

Can You Absorb Caffeine By Eating Coffee Beans? Can You Eat Coffee Grounds For Caffeine?

Yes,

your body will absorb the caffeine from eating coffee beans at a faster rate than had you brewed a cup of coffee, yes, you read that correctly liquid coffee is absorbed slower.

Whole coffee beans will provide your body with exactly the same nutrients as a cup of coffee, but in a more concentrated way. Regular brewed coffee is diluted with water and filtered, meaning you get a reduced amount of the nutrients, caffeine and other beneficial substances that a whole coffee bean has.

Then adding to this is the fact that eating coffee beans or coffee grounds leads to a quicker absorption via the lining of your mouth.

Eating only eight whole coffee beans will give your body the same level of caffeine as a cup of coffee.

Read: Does eating coffee beans give you caffeine?

Does Eating Coffee Grounds Keep You Awake?

Yes,

having established that only eight coffee beans when eaten have the same caffeine equivalent of one 8 ounce cup of brewed coffee, it should be evident that eating coffee grounds, be they fresh or brewed, does contain caffeine and will keep you awake.

It stands to reason that fresh coffee grounds will have the same amount of caffeine as whole beans and used coffee grounds will have less.

Due to the caffeine content alone and the rapid absorption, limit your intake of coffee grounds in the late afternoon and early evening.

Also worthy of nothing is that coffee grounds may contain harmful compounds like heavy metals and pesticides which get filtered out when brewed.

Eating Coffee Grounds For Weight Loss – Can Eating Coffee Grounds Make You Lose Weight?

Biomedical scientists from Queensland published a study that indicates that coffee grounds have potential for fighting fat.

However,

it is important to not that no human studies were conducted to prove their findings.

Leftover coffee grounds were studied for nearly seven years in regards to their properties as a functional food item or a food to reverse or prevent disease.

Male rats were fed a high-fat, high-carb diet for a 4-month period. During the last eight weeks, the male rats diet was supplemented with 5% coffee grounds.

The rats became obese after the first 4 months of the diet, and then showed marked improvement when the coffee grounds were added. Blood pressure and blood glucose started to normalize.

There is some evidence that eating coffee grounds might help with weight loss, but no human studies and no comparison of grounds Vs brewed coffee.

Frequently Asked Questions About Can You Eat Coffee Grounds?

Is Eating Coffee Grounds The Same As Drinking Coffee?

No,

eating coffee grounds be they used or unused is not the same as drinking a well brewed cup of coffee. While leftover coffee beans and coffee grounds still have all the same compounds and nutrients that fresh regular coffee beans do, just a lot less of them.

Yes, you can still use the coffee grounds be they fresh or used for alternative purposes be it for cooking purposes like baking, a natural pesticide, revitalizing soil, adding nutrients to your compost pile and a lot more.

Does Eating Ground Coffee Give You Caffeine?

Yes, if you eat ground coffee, which I can’t imagine why you want to do that, you will still get all the same nutrients and caffeine.

Roasted coffee beans are a more common and popular way of eating coffee as chocolate covered coffee beans are a tasty treat. These have slightly more caffeine than brewing with them as they are coated in chocolate which also contain caffeine.

What Happens If You Eat Straight Coffee Grounds?

Derek Marshall

Derek Marshall, a certified barista by the Specialty Coffee Association possesses over two decades of experience in specialty coffee shops. He holds professional certifications for coffee brewing and barista skills. Derek is also an author with authoritative books covering various coffee topics including specialty coffee, sustainability and coffee, coffee brewing, coffee recipes, coffee cocktails and books focusing on Brazilian coffee, Vietnamese coffee, Indonesian coffee and Malaysian coffee. As a barista for over two decades, Derek Marshall has worked in specialty coffee shops across the United Kingdom, Spain, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. His expertise extends to the distinct coffee cultures, specialty beverages, and brewing techniques of each nation. Functioning as a coffee consultant, Derek charges US$50 per hour. To learn more about Derek Marshall and Latte Love Brew, visit his About Me Page. For coffee inquiries, contact him at +34-639-410-375 or Derek@LatteLoveBrew.com, mentioning your name and location