Cappuccinos are a type of coffee drink made from coffee, hot milk, and steamed milk foam. The foam itself actually has a thick layer and this drink is mostly served in a small to medium cup that comes with a handle (though it can definitely be served in a larger container).
On the whole, cappuccinos have rich flavor, a bold coffee taste, and possibly added sugar to provide an enhanced taste. It’s also common to find cappuccino machines that specialize in creating cappuccino mixtures.
Are Cappuccinos Fattening?
The answer to this question is not a universal one. Because this type of coffee includes sugar and milk regularly, there is a chance that frequent consumption could lead to weight gain. It all depends on how much cappuccino you drink and how regularly you do so.
Combating that is the caffeine. Studies have shown that adding caffeine to a diet can be more likely to lead to weight loss rather than weight gain.
The reason why people enjoy cappuccinos, though, is due to the taste. That means a lot more added sugar and milk than some other forms of coffee. The more sugar in your drinks, the greater the possibility for weight gain.
The average serving size of a cappuccino (which is about 23 grams) will contain the following: 18 grams of carbohydrates, 100 calories, 13 grams of total sugars, 3 grams of fat, 1.5 grams of total saturated acids, 0.36 mg of iron, 95 mg of sodium, and a gram of trans fatty acids.
The Various Types of Cappuccinos
While every cappuccino follows a certain set of guidelines, there are a wide range of cappuccino types to be aware of. Still, there are five types of cappuccino out there that are the most popular.
The first is the traditional cappuccino. This type of cappuccino is typically made using either a shot of espresso that is topped with steamed or foamed milk layers, or it gets a double dose of that espresso for extra flavor and more caffeine.
A wet cappuccino, also known as a cappuccino chiaro or light cappuccino, is generally made the same as a traditional cappuccino but uses more hot milk or foamed milk. The taste is a bit more diluted than a traditional cappuccino and tends to have a creamier texture.
The iced cappuccino may be one of the most popular drinks around. It is created basically the same way that the traditional cappuccino is created, but it is cold instead of hot. Not only that but in Italy, it gets an additional boost of frothed or cold milk.
The cappuccino scurro or dark cappuccino is generally referred to as a dry cappuccino. That’s because it has far less milk compared to the other types of cappuccinos. That low steamed milk is also mixed together with a high layer of foamed milk.
Lastly, there is the flavored cappuccino, which is one of the most popular in the United States in particular. The construction is similar to the other types of cappuccino but also implements a variety of syrup flavors.
It is not uncommon to find syrup flavors such as vanilla, chocolate, caramel, peppermint, raspberry, and cinnamon.
Health Benefits
While frequent consumption of cappuccino is not advisable because it can lead to weight gain, cappuccinos can actually have a number of different physical and psychological health benefits. The latter is primarily in the form of mental alertness and stimulation.
Keep in mind that regular, high intake of cappuccinos can lead to a higher body mass index (BMI) and increased waist size. Still, it has antioxidant properties meant to help prevent memory loss and even keep skin problems away.
Drinking coffee, but doing so without milk or sugar in it, can even assist in the weight loss process. One of the areas in which drinking cappuccinos can be beneficial is in the prevention of heart ailments.
For one, coffee has a ton of antioxidants in it, such as flavonoids. Flavonoids are what prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol.
Not only that, but flavonoids prevent heart problems too. Drinking coffee can actually help to lower the chances of early death in those with heart disease and flavonoids.
Speaking of diabetes, a high intake of coffee actually helps to lower the potential chances of developing type 2 diabetes since those bodies tend to resist insulin. The antioxidants in coffee help to prevent tissue damage and the minerals help the body when it comes to insulin use.
The compound found in coffee actually blocks what is known as the human islet amyloid polypeptide. That is what plays a crucial role in the development and cause of diabetes.
Drinking cappuccinos on a regular basis may result in a little extra weight but it can actually help to lower your chance of a stroke. Women who have higher chances of developing a stroke do better from frequent consumption; a study shows that women who drink coffee/cappuccinos twice per day reduced their chance of stroke by up to 20 percent.
The moderate intake of cappuccino can even help to lower the chances of developing symptomatic gallstones and can even prevent them entirely. The caffeine in the drink basically enhances the contractions in the gallbladder; those frequent contractions are what prevent the formation of gallstones.
If that weren’t enough, coffee in general has shown to be beneficial to short-term memory. Caffeine works to stimulate the cognitive power of the mind, enhancing overall brain function as well. It can even lower the chances of the development of dementia by up to 65 percent.
We typically know about coffee and its ability to aid in the digestion process, but there have been studies that show that the intake of coffee can even help to lower the overall chances of developing cancer.
While that includes regular coffee, drinking cappuccino on a regular basis can help to lower the chances of death by up to 50 percent and can even eliminate the chance of developing skin cancer.
So, while there are some minor downsides to drinking cappuccinos on a regular basis, the coffee within is highly beneficial to the body and mind.
Things to Be Aware of
With all of the health benefits that are offered by coffee/cappuccinos, there are some things to be aware of. The first is the aforementioned potential for weight gain. Coffee has a ton of beneficial impacts on the body but all the added sugar and milk can increase your weight if not kept in check.
Not only that, but coffee in general has a number of side effects to be aware of. Tension, restlessness, acute anxiety, sleeplessness, some digestion issues, and severe headaches are common in those who drink coffee or cappuccinos on a regular basis.
It is also worth watching your blood pressure. If you drink cappuccinos on a regular basis, there is the chance that the frequent consumption of coffee within could work to raise your blood pressure.
Be aware of the symptoms of high blood pressure and be aware of them if you drink cappuccinos on a regular basis.
Drinking Too Much Caffeine
The one major downside of drinking something with coffee in it on a regular basis is that it can be overconsumed.
Coffee is fine in moderation and can have a number of benefits to the body and the mind. But when it is consumed far too much or often, it can actually be detrimental to your body.
The first way that caffeine can have a negative impact on the body is through an increased heartbeat. This is because the caffeine works to stimulate your central nervous system; when this happens, your heart rate increases.
Caffeine can begin to increase heart rate as soon as 15 minutes after it has been ingested.
Another common side effect of over-ingestion of coffee is restlessness or jitters. Caffeine stimulates hormones such as adrenaline, which can send your body into minor jitters or even into full-on tremors.
If you begin to notice these shakes, consider cutting back on your intake of caffeine in general, not just coffee.
The ingestion of caffeine in general has been shown to keep the esophagus relaxed, which can contribute to what is known as gastroesophageal reflux. If this happens infrequently, it might not be a big deal but it can either cause or further frequent heartburn for certain people.
People with anxiety should probably stay away from drinking large quantities of coffee. Because the caffeine in the cappuccino acts as a stimulant in the body, it can lead to increased adrenaline hormones, heightened senses, and an increased heart rate.
On top of that, it can even induce an overwhelming sensation, particularly in those prone to anxiety. This will only exacerbate that feeling of anxiety.
We know that caffeine can heighten concentration but too much of it can actually cause stuttering and confusion. Caffeine can speed up your senses, thoughts, and speech and can combine with the jitteriness to make a person feel shaky and unstable.
I have two Associate’s degrees, one in Medical Assisting and the other in Computer Technician, and I am roughly five classes from a bachelor’s degree. Though I never ended up working in the medical field, I have five and a half years of experience in IT. I recently became a stay-at-home mom to my two young boys, and I’m so excited to start this adventure with them! In my spare time, I love to bake and read pretty much anything I can get my hands on.
Jeanie
Tuesday 27th of September 2022
I drink a sugar-free Cappuccino and love it. It has only 50 calories, which I include in my daily calorie count. I do use three to four packets of aspartame to make it sweeter, as I have a very sweet tooth.
Since January, though, I have gained ten pounds. I have cut out everything that I think could be the culprit, but this morning it hit me that, perhaps, it could be the cappuccino, even though it is sugar-free. Is this logical? I drink about two cups a day of this.
Any advice would be welcomed. Thank you!
Sarah
Tuesday 27th of September 2022
Hi Jeanie!
There have been a few studies saying that aspartame can make people hungrier, so that could definitely be contributing to your weight gain. There are other sugar substitutes that seem to be better about the insulin response, such as allulose (which is relatively new). That being said, if you are calorie counting and you are not weighing your food, I would suggest purchasing a food scale to get an accurate weight and weigh everything, including any oils you may be using.
As always, I am not a doctor or a nutritionist, so I would take my suggestions with a grain of salt and see one if you are still having issues with weight gain. Good luck!