<p>There are two sides to the answer. First, there is the sugar aspect. In moderation, sugar is a critical part of our diet. If you are combining it with two doughnuts and two further teaspoons of sugar in the coffee (for example) then it could potentially lead to the same insulin cycle that causes weight gain in people who eat too much sugar.  The rapid intake of sugar causes your pancreas to flood your blood stream with insulin, which then drops your blood sugar lower than it should go. That causes cravings for more sugar.</p>

<p>The other side is how "carmelized" the sugar is. If it goes beyond a certain point, it's possible that the result could be carcinogenic, which is definitely bad.</p>

<p>My recommendation? Find a coffee that doesn't need "enhanced".</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-06-24T18:02:23.680Z
Sugar intake is not the issue.  It's the possible carcinogenic effect of caramelised sugar?
TungstenX
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-06-24T17:51:54.443Z
2015-06-24T17:51:54.443Z
Mike Frazer
<p>That site that you linked (from www.buismaningredients.com, and <a href="http://www.dutchfoodinnovations.com/organisation/buisman-ingredients" rel="nofollow">this one</a>) suggest that the main ingredient is caramelised sugar. The claim is simple enough: "caramelised sugars enrich the taste of coffee" (from cited articles). <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caramelization" rel="nofollow">Caramelisation</a> is the thermal decomposition of sugar (sucrose); not precisely "burnt" as such but similar. </p>

<p>I can't find any ingredient list for that product, but the company that makes it basically produces just caramelised sugar and caramel color. I can't find any negative health claims for caramelised sugar itself other than the basic ones for regular sugar (blood-sugar effects, teeth effects, etc.). Some have concerns about <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caramel_color#Toxicology" rel="nofollow">caramel color</a>. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-06-23T19:19:25.043Z
A counter-question is... what makes you think that it would be bad for you? If you're interested, more information on caramel and the caramelisation process can be found from [coffee.se] at tags [carmel](http://cooking.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/caramel) and [caramelisation](http://cooking.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/caramelization).
hoc_age
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-06-24T18:03:20.907Z
What might possibly make it bad for you is the possible carcinogenic effect of caramelised sugar.
TungstenX
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-06-23T19:17:50.163Z
2015-06-23T19:17:50.163Z
hoc_age
<p>I buy Buisman Royal Aroma Coffee enhancer from our local Dutch shop.  It halves the coffee grounds needed and makes the coffee taste stronger.  It is basically burnt sugar, as far as I understand.</p>

<p>Is it bad for you?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-06-23T13:49:40.430Z
More info: http://www.buismaningredients.com/site/index.php/en/en_home/
TungstenX
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-06-23T19:20:58.553Z
What makes you think that it would be bad for you? Are you curious about other coffee-enhancers, or just this one? Do you have concerns about sugar or other ingredients? Do you know the ingredient list?
hoc_age
<brewing-process><health><strength>
Are coffee enhancers bad for you?
TungstenX
# Are coffee enhancers bad for you?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-06-23)

I buy Buisman Royal Aroma Coffee enhancer from our local Dutch shop. It halves the coffee grounds needed and makes the coffee taste stronger. It is basically burnt sugar, as far as I understand.

Is it bad for you?

**Tags:** brewing-process, health, strength

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: More info: http://www.buismaningredients.com/site/index.php/en/en_home/  
> **username_1**: What makes you think that it would be bad for you? Are you curious about other coffee-enhancers, or just this one? Do you have concerns about sugar or other ingredients? Do you know the ingredient list?  

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2015-06-24. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

There are two sides to the answer. First, there is the sugar aspect. In moderation, sugar is a critical part of our diet. If you are combining it with two doughnuts and two further teaspoons of sugar in the coffee (for example) then it could potentially lead to the same insulin cycle that causes weight gain in people who eat too much sugar. The rapid intake of sugar causes your pancreas to flood your blood stream with insulin, which then drops your blood sugar lower than it should go. That causes cravings for more sugar.

The other side is how "carmelized" the sugar is. If it goes beyond a certain point, it's possible that the result could be carcinogenic, which is definitely bad.

My recommendation? Find a coffee that doesn't need "enhanced".

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Sugar intake is not the issue.  It's the possible carcinogenic effect of caramelised sugar?  

---

### Answer by username_1 on 2015-06-23. Score: 4

That site that you linked (from www.buismaningredients.com, and [this one](http://www.dutchfoodinnovations.com/organisation/buisman-ingredients)) suggest that the main ingredient is caramelised sugar. The claim is simple enough: "caramelised sugars enrich the taste of coffee" (from cited articles). [Caramelisation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caramelization) is the thermal decomposition of sugar (sucrose); not precisely "burnt" as such but similar.

I can't find any ingredient list for that product, but the company that makes it basically produces just caramelised sugar and caramel color. I can't find any negative health claims for caramelised sugar itself other than the basic ones for regular sugar (blood-sugar effects, teeth effects, etc.). Some have concerns about [caramel color](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caramel_color#Toxicology).

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: A counter-question is... what makes you think that it would be bad for you? If you're interested, more information on caramel and the caramelisation process can be found from [coffee.se] at tags [carmel](http://cooking.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/caramel) and [caramelisation](http://cooking.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/caramelization).  
> **username_0**: What might possibly make it bad for you is the possible carcinogenic effect of caramelised sugar.  

---

