Is Eating Coffee Beans Bad For You?

Eating coffee beans is becoming a popular way of getting a caffeine fix and enjoying the taste of the beans and many people are asking is eating coffee beans bad?

The beans that we eat are the seeds from the coffee fruit, which we commonly known as the coffee cherry, which comes from the coffee plant.

Chocolate-covered coffee beans are the most common way of Coffee bean consumption. The type of chocolate can be milk chocolate, dark chocolate or simply regular chocolate-covered roasted coffee beans.

It is common for coffee lovers and chocolate lovers to make their own and experiment with the roast, the beans and make exotic recipes with chocolate orange, chocolate mint or simply stick with a classic chocolate covered coffee recipe.

You can also enjoy your coffee beans as they are, and it is important that you find out if eating coffee beans are bad for you, so keep reading to find out and don’t miss the part about chewing them and your dental health.

Is Eating Coffee Beans Bad For Your Health?

It is safe to eat coffee beans, but you should still practice caution and enjoy them in moderation, just as you would when drinking coffee. They are a source of caffeine, antioxidants and can give an energy boost.

There are studies that indicate that you may get a risk reduction in certain diseases like type 2 diabetes, liver disease, heart disease and strokes.

…And they are packed with antioxidants and loaded with nutrients. There are more nutrients in whole beans than in brewed coffee, a lot more.

Still, be careful of the 13.33 mg caffeine per coffee bean and eat no more than 30 in a single day to avoid the unpleasant side effects of excess caffeine and be aware of the excess calories, fat and sugar that you get with Chocolate-covered, roasted coffee beans.

Here is a list of the nutrients in coffee beans:

Read: Dark chocolate coffee beans calories 

Is Chewing Coffee Beans Bad For Your Teeth?

Your teeth are protected by an outer layer of enamel which helps to keep your teeth healthy. When it becomes worn down, the level of protection is reduced or completely lost and becomes sensitive, and your teeth are more susceptible to trauma and disease.

Drinking coffee and eating large amounts of coffee beans can break down your enamel, leading to dental problems.

You can get around this when it comes to drinking coffee by drinking low acidity coffee or adding a teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) to your cup of coffee.

Eating coffee beans, there is nothing you can do to reduce the acidity. You can use enamel-strengthening toothpaste, which is a great idea for regular coffee drinkers.

You can also eat a piece of cheese when you have finished drinking coffee or eating coffee beans to neutralize the acidity. There is also the option of rinsing your mouth and swirling your mouth with water.

You should wait at least 1 hour after drinking coffee to brush your teeth. You need to give your enamel some time to harden.

To be clear on an urban myth, coffee does not cause cavities directly. They do however make it easier for them to form.

This is why it is good to be aware of the acidity and take the appropriate steps to prevent their formation.

Another myth to put to bed is the idea that coffee beans will break your teeth – this  may be the case with unroasted beans but is not so with roasted coffee beans.

Read: Are coffee beans edible?

Effects Of Coffee On Teeth And Gums

Coffee affects the color of your tooth enamel and its density. The acids can eat away at it and lead to its erosion and lead to bacteria to get into your teeth and infect them.

This is a slow process that takes years and, as I have said, there are steps you can take to reduce the acidity of your mouth.

The acidic environment may also lead to gum disease which could cause painful infections.

Thankfully coffee is not as bad as researchers and dentists first thought as research from 2014 by the Federal University in Rio de Janeiro indicates that the layer of bacteria on teeth may be reduced and killed by coffee.

The study involved the use of Robusta coffee beans which have greater amounts of polyphenols and caffeine than Arabica coffee beans.

There are also studies from America that indicate the probability of dying from oral cancer is reduced by 49% when drinking 4 or more cups of coffee per day.

Read: Chocolate covered espresso beans

Can Coffee Cause Receding Gums?

According to a study I found on the NCBI website there is an inverse association with the consumption of 1 or more cups of coffee per day (the equivalent of eating 8 beans) and periodontitis.

No, there is no correlation, association or evidence of coffee causing receding gums.

Can Coffee Damage Your Teeth?

Anything that you drink that is not water can cause the growth of bacteria in your mouth, which, as we have indicated, can cause the erosion of the enamel on your teeth leading to thin, brittle teeth that are easily broken.

Does Chewing Coffee Beans Give You Caffeine?

Yes, eating or chewing coffee beans will give you a caffeine boost, and more directly as when you slowly chew on them the caffeine effect is one that will go directly to your blood stream. The average 5 coffee beans will give you the same effect as one shot of espresso.

Frequently Asked Questions About Is Eating Coffee Beans Bad?

Is it OK To Eat Raw Coffee Beans?

Yes, it is perfectly safe and okay for you to eat raw coffee beans. Before you rip open a packet of raw coffee beans their taste is somewhat grassy, woody and highly acidic. It is not at all a pleasant taste. Green coffee beans are an acquired taste.

How Many Coffee Bean Can You Eat?

To remain within the recommended limit of 400 milligrams of caffeine intake per day, you should eat no more than 30 coffee beans.

I arrived at this figure by dividing 400 mg by the average caffeine content in a single coffee bean (13.33 mg), the result of which is 30.

This is the equivalent of 2 strong cups of percolated coffee or just over 3 lattes or 3 regular cups of coffee, or 5 shots of espresso at Starbucks.

The maximum absorption of caffeine before reaching a toxic level of caffeine intake is 900 mg which is the equivalent of eating 67 coffee beans.

Please be careful and eat in moderation to stay within safe caffeine levels.

Is it OK To Eat Roasted Coffee Beans?

Yes,

just as it is okay for you to eat raw coffee beans, it is also okay for you to eat roasted coffee beans. Roasted coffee beans are of course more appetizing and taste much better than raw, unroasted green coffee beans. You can simply eat them on their own and enjoy the strong coffee flavor without the dilution with water.

They taste like a strong punchy Ristretto without the cream taste. The majority of coffee beans that are coated in chocolate are espresso beans.

Will Eating Coffee Beans Give You Caffeine?

Yes, eating coffee beans will give you a caffeine boost in a similar way that drinking coffee does. The beans are a source of caffeine and since there is caffeine in coffee beans it does not matter your way of extracting the caffeine (or flavor) you will get the effect if you drink coffee, eat the beans directly or use the grounds for baking.

Can You Eat Coffee Grinds?

Yes, coffee grinds are edible and can be eaten.

Due to the grinds being gritty, it is not a pleasant experience. Also, due to the grind size, eating a tablespoon or mouthful may be much more than you would with whole beans and due to the caffeine content you may end up with quite a toxic amount of caffeine and a serious toxic caffeine effect, which are very unpleasant. 

Does Anyone Eat Coffee Beans?

Yes, I do, and many other people eat coffee beans. I don’t recommend raw unroasted coffee beans as they are grassy and acidic and rather dense and difficult to crunch. When eating whole coffee beans, the type to eat are the store-bought roasted ones.

These are the beans prior to grinding and brewing. Making a milk chocolate coating, or a dark chocolate coating, makes eating them more enjoyable. You can also coat your coffee beans with white chocolate. 

Is It Bad To Eat Espresso Beans?

No, it is not bad to eat espresso beans by themselves. Some people have a preferance for eating them raw rather then coated in chocolate. There are many variations of chocolate covered espresso beans from regular dark chocolate ones that you see at Starbucks to gourmet variations sold by specialty chocolatiers. 

Does Eating Coffee Beans Give You Energy?

Yes, when you eat espresso beans you will still get that caffeine boost. The effect is a little more potent and faster acting, so be careful! 

Final Thoughts – Is Eating Coffee Beans Bad?

Eating coffee beans is not bad, as there are many plus points and benefits that can be had. Surprisingly, the health benefits may be even greater than drinking coffee due to the increased quantity of nutrients. 

It is your choice how you eat them – coat them in chocolate, bake with them, grind them and add to your yogurts and desserts or simply enjoy them raw. 

Join our fun and friendly coffee community where I and my fellow coffee lovers talk about everything related to coffee from great memes and jokes to tasty beans to try out. Find us on Facebook/Meta.

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