Is It True That Consumption Of Cassava Boils Along With Hazardous Coffee? This Is An Explanation From Nutritionists

Cassava (Photo: Freepik/WS Studio BR)

JAKARTA - Eating boiled cassava while drinking coffee has become a habit for many people in Indonesia. But, is it safe to eat cassava while sipping coffee at the same time?

Reisi Nurdiani, a lecturer from the Department of Community Nutrition, Faculty of Human Ecology (Fema) IPB University, explained that in general, eating boiled cassava with coffee is still safe for most healthy people, as long as the portion is not excessive.

Boiled rice is a source of complex carbohydrates that energizes gradually and contains fiber and several minerals. Meanwhile, coffee contains caffeine which has mild stimulant effects and can help increase vigilance," he explained, quoted from the official IPB University website.

However, there are still several things that need to be considered, especially regarding safety, digestion, and nutritional absorption.isi said how to process cassava is very important, because cassava contains a natural substance called linamarin, which can turn into cyanide poison if not cooked properly.

"If cooked and processed properly, the antigizi compound can be lost and cassava becomes safe for consumption," he added.

In terms of nutritional content, 100 grams of boiled cassava has about 153 calories, 36.4 grams of carbohydrates, 1.3 grams of fiber, and a little vitamin C and vitamin B. Meanwhile, black coffee without sugar and milk has almost no calories, but contains caffeine and antioxidants such as chlorogenic acid.

According to Reisi, there is no scientific evidence that the combination of cassava and coffee can cause toxic effects. But there are two things that still need to be observed, namely iron absorption disorders and the effects on the digestive system.

The polyphenolic and caffeine content in coffee can inhibit the absorption of non-heme iron if consumed in conjunction with foods that contain iron, he explained.

In addition, tall cassava and fiber, if eaten with coffee that stimulates stomach work, can make the stomach feel full or bloating, especially for those with stomach problems.

"So for healthy people, this combination is safe if consumed occasionally in medium numbers," he said

However,isi suggested that people who are in need of a lot of non-heme iron (for example from plant foods), or have stomach problems such as GERD, should avoid this combination.

Regarding the influence of caffeine,isi says caffeine can trigger adrenaline hormones that make the body temporarily less sensitive to insulin. As a result, blood sugar can rise slightly or fall slower.

"If consumed in reasonable quantities, for example 1.2 cups of coffee per day without excess sugar, the effect on metabolism tends to be insignificant," he said.

To keep the diet balanced, you should eat cassava and drink coffee and also balance it with protein or vegetable sources.isi also advised not to add too much sugar in coffee if you are eating high carbo foods such as cassava.isi also provides tips on the best time to drink coffee.

"It would be better if coffee was taken 30'60 minutes after eating to minimize disturbances in the absorption of nutrients," he said.

If you want to be more nutritious, eating cassava should also be accompanied by side dishes, both from animals and plants. For those who are sensitive to caffeine, you should avoid drinking coffee after 14.00 p.m. For those who have stomach problems, it is better to drink coffee after eating, not when your stomach is empty.