Recent research conducted by the University of Copenhagen has revealed that combining coffee with milk may have anti-inflammatory properties.

The study, published in the journal Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, looked at how a combination of coffee and certain types of milk proteins could reduce inflammation in cells.

The researchers tested the effects of instant coffee either on its own or combined with commonly found milk proteins—casein and whey—on human fat cells. They found that when combined with casein and whey, the polyphenols in instant coffee had an anti-inflammatory effect on these cells. This suggests that drinking a cup of coffee with a splash of milk could be beneficial for reducing inflammation in humans.

The team also demonstrated that this effect was due to the interaction between polyphenols—large molecules found in plants like tea and coffee—and a particular type of immune cell receptor known as toll-like receptors (TLR4). TLR4 is responsible for detecting pathogens or invaders in our bodies and launching an immune response to ward them off.

The findings suggest that compounds found naturally in both food groups can work together to fight against inflammatory diseases like obesity, diabetes, and cancer.

While further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms involved, these results are encouraging news for those who enjoy their daily dose of joe!