Is Vietnamese Coffee Healthy? (Benefits Explained)

Traditional Vietnamese coffee is made from a mix of dark-roasted Coffea Robusta coffee and sweetened condensed milk.

Is Vietnamese Coffee Healthy? (Benefits Explained)

Vietnamese Coffee

There’s been an ongoing debate over the last few decades on whether drinking coffee is healthy or not. Scientists have weighed in on the topic with studies that show moderate coffee consumption is not only safe, but could also be beneficial to your health.

But what happens when the coffee has additional ingredients?

Traditional Vietnamese coffee is made from a mix of dark-roasted Coffea Robusta coffee and sweetened condensed milk.

In this guide, we explore how Robusta stacks up against traditional arabica, the impact roasting has on the health benefits of coffee, and explore the health qualities of ingredients like condensed milk in coffee.

Read on to find out.

Vietnamese Coffee & Our Health: In a Nutshell

The main ingredient in Vietnamese coffee is Coffea Robusta — a species of coffee that thrives in the hot and humid Vietnamese biome. This bean contains nearly twice as much caffeine, twice as many antioxidants, and half the sugar compared to conventional Coffea arabica.

This kind of coffee offers all kinds of health benefits affecting the brain, cardiovascular system, liver, and gut.

However, traditional Vietnamese coffee is typically mixed with condensed milk, which contains roughly 40% sugar by weight. One or two cups of coffee made with condensed milk is unlikely to have any negative health implications, but overconsumption can lead to problems.

Limit your intake to just 1 or 2 cups per day, or opt for low-sugar or sugar-free sweetener options instead.

Cafely is proud to offer the authentic taste of traditional Vietnamese coffee without the sugar. Check out our lineup of dairy and sugar-free instant coffee packs.

The Health Benefits of Caffeine

While it's well-known that excess caffeine can cause side effects, including increased heart rate [1], sleep disruptions [2], and irritability, studies also show caffeine may also have a positive impact on your health [3], especially when it comes to cognitive factors like concentration, alertness, and mental performance.

Here are a few of the benefits caffeine has to offer, according to research:

Cognitive performance — Caffeine has been shown to improve aspects of cognitive function such as memory, concentration, and reaction times [4]. This makes it particularly useful for tasks that require sustained attention.
Mood enhancement —Regular, moderate caffeine consumption has been associated with a lower risk of depression [5].
Increased Metabolism — Caffeine has been shown to increase the rate at which your body burns calories at rest, known as the basal metabolic rate (BMR) [6]. Even a moderate increase in BMR can contribute to weight loss efforts over time.
Physical performance — Caffeine stimulates the release of adrenaline [7], preparing the body for intense physical exertion. It also breaks down body fat, making free fatty acids available for fuel, which can enhance physical performance [8].

The Health Benefits of Antioxidants

Traditional Vietnamese coffee made withrobusta beans contains roughly twice as many antioxidants per cup than conventional arabica coffee.

Robusta is rich in antioxidants, including various polyphenols, flavonoids, and chlorogenic acid. Each of these compounds helps protect against cellular damage and chronic inflammation.

Antioxidants offer numerous health benefits, just a few of which include:

1. Blood sugar regulation — Chlorogenic acid helps regulate blood sugar levels, decreasing the risk of diabetes [9].

2. Skin health — Antioxidants help protect the skin from environmental damage caused by radiation, pollution, and UV rays [10].

3. Hair & nail growth — Some antioxidants, such as flavonoids, have been shown to promote hair and growth [11].

4. Anti-inflammatory effects — Polyphenols and other antioxidants in coffee may reduce inflammation in the body, potentially lowering the risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease [12,13].

5. Cognitive function — Caffeine and antioxidants together may improve brain function, enhancing memory, mood, and overall cognitive performance [14].

6. Liver protection — Studies suggest that coffee consumption is linked to a lower risk of liver diseases, including liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, likely due to its antioxidative properties [15].

Check out our SaiGon OG Coffee (Robusta x Arabica X Peaberry Blend)

The Health Impact of Condensed Milk & Sugar

One of the key elements of Vietnamese coffee is condensed milk, which adds the characteristic rich, creamy sweetness Vietnamese coffee is known for. Just make sure you're buying the best condensed milk for a perfect Vietnamese coffee experience.

Condensed milk has a few pros and cons, but as long as it's used in moderation, it can be integrated as part of a balanced diet.

Excellent Source of Calcium
Condensed milk is rich in calcium — roughly 284 mg per 100 g of condensed milk. This puts it on par with other dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese.

Calcium is required for building strong bones, teeth, and muscles. It’s also used for essential functions like blood clotting and nerve signal transmission.

The recommended daily intake of calcium is between 1,000 and 1,300 mg/day, depending on age.

Sugar Content of Condensed Milk
While it may contain many nutrients that are healthy for your body, condensed milk also contains 40% sugar. Its nearly syrup-like consistency may be fine as an added treat, but consuming it in excess could cause problems associated with high sugar intake — such as weight gain, spikes in blood sugar, energy crashes, and cavities.

A typical cup of Vietnamese coffee contains roughly 50 grams of condensed milk, which works out to around 20 grams of sugar. This is comparable to a standard chocolate bar.

What Happens if I Drink Too Much Vietnamese Coffee?

While Robusta coffee has beneficial effects on your health, there can be too much of a good thing.

Overconsumption of Vietnamese coffee (more than 2 or 3 standard cups within 6 hours) can cause unwanted side effects like jitteriness, anxiousness, and increased heart rate.

The added sugar content from condensed milk and other sweeteners can result in blood sugar spikes, fluctuations in mood and energy, and weight gain.

One or two standard cups of Vietnamese coffee, when combined with an active, healthy lifestyle, have little negative health implications and provide comparable energy to traditional breakfast meals.

Some people even prefer the higher caloric load of Vietnamese coffee first thing in the morning to provide them with the energy needed to jump-start their mornings.

How to Make Healthy Vietnamese Coffee

There are many ways to make Vietnamese coffee, and it usually involves sweetened condensed milk as the main ingredient. Fortunately, we also have options to cut the sugar content from Vietnamese coffee. Condensed milk alternatives and natural sweeteners are all widely available for Vietnamese coffee lovers around the world who are trying to cut out sugar.

Our Instant Vietnamese Coffee mixes are designed with this in mind — featuring 0 total sugar and no artificial sweeteners.

Here’s a healthy, vegan Vietnamese coffee recipe that replaces condensed milk with totally different ingredients while still resembling the original:

Ground Robusta coffee
1 can of coconut cream
1 teaspoon of vanilla powder
1 teaspoon cardamom
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Prepare your coffee using a traditional Vietnamese phin filter for best results. This brew style produces a strong cup of bold Robusta coffee, which is what Vietnamese coffee is truly known for.

Once the brew is complete, mix it with the ingredients above. Pour over ice for a cool, iced coffee, or drink hot.

Drink All Types of Coffee in Moderation

Traditional Vietnamese coffee is made using just two ingredients — high-grade Vietnamese Robusta beans and condensed milk (or another sweetener of your choice).

When answering the question, “Is Vietnamese coffee healthy?” there are two things to consider:

The health impact of coffee — Studies have shown that moderate coffee consumption can significantly benefit your health. Some studies even suggest consistent daily coffee may improve mental and physical performance, regulate mood, and contribute to weight loss.
The health impact of sweeteners — Condensed milk contains roughly 40% sugar, so a standard cup of Vietnamese coffee contains around 20 grams of sugar. This isn’t an issue for most people if consumed in moderation, but if you’re trying to limit sugar intake, opt for a low-sugar or sugar-free substitute like coconut cream instead.

We recommend preparing your coffee using a phin filter and opting for a low-sugar or dairy-free sweetener such as coconut cream or sticking to classic black coffee if you're watching your sugar intake.

For authentic Vietnamese coffee flavor, stick to condensed milk, but limit yourself to 1 or 2 coffees every 6 hours.

References

Zuchinali, P., Souza, G. C., Pimentel, M., Chemello, D., Zimerman, A., Giaretta, V.,& Rohde, L. E. (2016). Short-term effects of high-dose caffeine on cardiac arrhythmias in patients with heart failure: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Internal Medicine, 176(12), 1752-1759.
Watson, E. J., Coates, A. M., Kohler, M., & Banks, S. (2016). Caffeine consumption and sleep quality in Australian adults. Nutrients, 8(8), 479.
Cappelletti, S., Daria, P., Sani, G., &Aromatario, M. (2015). Caffeine: cognitive and physical performance enhancer or psychoactive drug? Current neuropharmacology, 13(1), 71-88.
Jarvis, M. J. (1993). Does caffeine intake enhance absolute levels of cognitive performance? Psychopharmacology, 110, 45-52.
Rogers, P. J. (2007). Caffeine, mood and mental performance in everyday life. Nutrition Bulletin, 32, 84-89.
Bracco, D., Ferrarra, J. M., Arnaud, M. J., Jequier, E. R. I. C., & Schutz, Y. V. E. S. (1995). Effects of caffeine on energy metabolism, heart rate, and methylxanthine metabolism in lean and obese women. American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism, 269(4), E671-E678.
Battram, D. S., Graham, T. E., Richter, E. A., & Dela, F. (2005). The effect of caffeine on glucose kinetics in humans–influence of adrenaline. The Journal of Physiology, 569(1), 347-355.
McLellan, T. M., Bell, D. G., &Kamimori, G. H. (2004). Caffeine improves physical performance during 24 hours of active wakefulness. Aviation, space, and environmental medicine, 75(8), 666-672.
Yan, Y., Zhou, X., Guo, K., Zhou, F., & Yang, H. (2020). Use of chlorogenic acid against diabetes mellitus and its complications. Journal of Immunology Research, 2020, 1-6.
Fernández-García, E. (2014). Skin protection against UV light by dietary antioxidants. Food & function, 5(9), 1994-2003.
Bassino, E., Gasparri, F., &Munaron, L. (2020). Protective role of nutritional plants containing flavonoids in hair follicle disruption: A review. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21(2), 523.