Everyone has preferences for their ideal “cup of joe.” For some, it’s a shot of espresso or iced coffee, while for others, it’s as simple as choosing between a light or dark roast. We all choose what tastes best to us, but did you know that this preference could impact your health? In other words: Light roast vs. dark dark roast coffee, which one is better?

Coffee is not only delicious; it also has some impressive health benefits. Coffee contains special substances called antioxidants (specifically, phenolics) that are beneficial for our bodies. When we drink coffee, we’re giving our bodies a boost of these amazing nutrients. Antioxidants can help keep us healthy and fight diseases like cancer. Coffee also contains, of course, caffeine. Caffeine provides the increased energy and focus we experience after drinking coffee. ¹

So, light roast vs. dark roast coffee, what is the difference? Light roasts are roasted for little more than 10 minutes at a temperature between 350°F and 400°F (177°C and 204°C). Dark roasts are roasted for nearly 15 minutes above 400°F (204°C). Medium roasts will fall somewhere between. Because of this, the amounts of antioxidants vary, with light roast having the highest amount. The caffeine content remains similar between the different roasts. ^2,3

To keep our hearts happy and pumping efficiently, the type of coffee we drink is one thing to consider. Surprisingly, whether the coffee is a light or dark roast is not the determining factor. The more important aspect for heart health is whether your brew is filtered or not.  Some studies have shown that coffee made without a paper filter can have compounds that might raise our cholesterol levels. ⁴

When referring to filtered coffee, we mean using a paper filter to separate the coffee grounds from the liquid that we drink. It turns out that using a paper filter can be quite beneficial for our hearts! It helps remove about 95% of the compounds that could raise our cholesterol levels. That’s a lot! Whether you prefer a light roast or a dark roast, make sure to use a paper filter when brewing your coffee. 

It can be a good choice for your wellbeing and, specifically, for your heart. Keep in mind that it’s all about making small changes that can have a major impact down the line. By using a paper filter, you’re taking a simple step towards looking after your heart and health. ⁴

Which one is better for weight loss?

If your goal is weight loss, you might now be wondering whether light or dark roast makes a difference. Well, a study was done to find out exactly that! The participants drank either light or dark roast coffee two times a day for a month. And, guess what? The study showed that dark roast coffee was more effective in helping to reduce body weight. Now, the reasons behind that are a bit tricky to identify.

The higher temperatures could have led to the creation of weight-loss promoting compounds. We need more research, but it’s interesting to see that your coffee blend could be helpful when looking to shed some pounds! It’s important to keep in mind, though, that coffee alone isn’t the one-stop, magic solution for weight loss. It would be best to combine it with a balanced diet and regular exercise to achieve your goals in a healthy way. This allows for mental and physical wellbeing. ⁵

It’s important to keep your blood sugar levels within a healthy range to prevent conditions like Type 2 diabetes. It turns out that the type of coffee you drink may matter! ³

Let’s discuss how coffee itself can influence our blood sugar response. Research suggests there are compounds in coffee that may affect the way our cells respond to glucose. Glucose is a type of sugar used by our bodies for energy. So is there a difference between light and dark roasts on blood sugar levels? 

One study set out to find exactly that. They expected that light roast coffee would perform better because it contained more chlorogenic acids. Chlorogenic acids are part of the phenolic antioxidants we touched upon earlier. Results showed no significant difference in blood sugar response between the two blends.

So, when it comes to blood sugar levels, it seems that both light and dark roast coffee have a similar effect. After all, without sweeteners, coffee has zero sugar. So it’s unlikely that drinking coffee has any effect on Type 2 diabetes. But adding sweeteners like sugar, flavored syrup, or cream to your coffee can influence your blood sugar levels. If you are focusing on keeping your blood sugar in check, it would help to drink your morning coffee without too many added sweeteners. ^6,7

When it comes to picking between a light or dark roast, it’s difficult to say which is the best and is really a personal choice. We suggest limiting the amount of cream and sweeteners you might be adding to get the full benefits, though. All in all, both roasts can contribute to a healthy lifestyle when combined with a balanced diet and daily movement!