A hot cup of coffee may contain more disease-fighting nutrients than iced coffee, says Majid Basit, a cardiologist at Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital in Texas.
“Hot coffee has been shown to contain higher amounts of antioxidants, which may provide more health benefits,” said Dr. Basit.
Antioxidants are molecules that attack free radicals, unstable compounds that increase oxidative stress throughout the body, which damages cells and leads to long-term health problems such as heart disease, Alzheimer's, kidney failure, and even some forms of cancer.
For example, a study published in the journal Scientific Reports found that hot coffee contains higher levels of antioxidants than cold brew, because brewing coffee with hot water extracts more nutrients from the beans than with cold water.
Some research also suggests that hot coffee may give you a greater energy boost, too. A study by the American Chemical Society found that hot brewing methods resulted in slightly higher levels of caffeine than cold brewed coffee.
Cold brew “has less caffeine, which is great for those who really crave a second cup of coffee,” said coffee expert Jordan Karschner.
The strong smell of coffee steam has been shown to improve mood and reduce feelings of fatigue.
However, cold brew coffee does have some advantages, including being less acidic and helping to regulate blood sugar.
Cold brew coffee has also been shown to contain higher levels of magnesium and antioxidants called chlorogenic acids, which can help regulate blood sugar and lower blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart disease.
However, experts caution that research is limited, and much remains unknown about the best temperature for coffee.