Black Coffee or White Coffee: Help me out

Last year, coffee officially became the UK’s leading hot drink. Its popularity continues to soar into 2024 and shows no sign of slowing, but are caffeinated drinks suitable if you have a milk intolerance? While it’s good to have a choice, the number of coffee-based drinks available can be confusing if you’re sensitive to a specific ingredient, especially if you’re making dietary changes. To make things clearer, we take a closer look at the differences between black and white coffee and the effects they can have on your body. It’s not necessarily a caffeine intolerance that you may have, but it could be a milk intolerance which would make sense!

Stick to black coffee if you have a milk intolerance

The main difference between black and white coffee is the presence of milk as an ingredient. Black coffee is simply coffee granules and hot water, and white coffee has the addition of milk. How you take your coffee will largely depend on personal taste, but your digestive system can also sway your decision. If you have a milk intolerance, for example, white coffee with cow’s milk could trigger symptoms such as bloating, an upset stomach and indigestion, so you might have to look for an alternative brew. This could mean sticking to black coffee, or you could try adding dairy-free options to your drink, such as almond or oat milk, to see if this makes any difference to your health.

Avoid drinking black coffee before bed

Do you need a caffeine hit? Black coffee will give you a stronger ‘kick’ without any milk to weaken the effects. The downside to drinking black coffee is that it’s more likely to disrupt your sleeping pattern if you have a mug in the evening. But unless you have a milk intolerance, how you choose you take your coffee can depend on your mood and personal circumstances. If you’re starting a stint at work and feel like you need some mental clarity, black coffee may be your preferred option. However, if you often have difficulty sleeping, a cup of white coffee is less likely to keep you awake during the night.

Opt for white coffee if you suffer from acid reflux

If you struggle with acidity, black coffee isn’t likely to be your friend. The organic acids that are naturally present in coffee beans can trigger a burning sensation in the chest along with a bitter taste in the mouth. There’s no need to rule it out completely if you prefer your coffee dark and strong, but you may benefit from adding milk to your drink to dilute the acidity. You could also increase your water intake and eat watery foods such as cucumber, apples, and strawberries, as this can help neutralise the effects of black coffee and its acidity levels.

Weigh up your options if you’re cutting back on calories

If you’re trying to keep an eye on your calorie intake, having coffee without milk and sugar will help. Black coffee contains approximately 50 calories less than white coffee, but this difference will increase if you usually add cream or full-fat milk to your cup. While this might not sound like a lot, if you drink four coffees per day, the extra calories can add up without realising. Of course, the lack of dairy means that black coffee also contains less calcium, so you may need to make a judgement call based on the needs of your body and overall health.  

Do you think you could have a milk intolerance? UK Food Intolerance can help you

If you’ve noticed symptoms such as tummy aches, bloating or indigestion after drinking your white coffee, you could have a milk intolerance. Find out for sure by taking one of our food intolerance tests and gaining a better understanding of your body. You can order a test from our website or email any questions you have to [email protected].