Oil-Fried Dough Sticks and Coffee: Unhealthy Breakfast Combo?

What really happens when you pair your morning oil-fried dough sticks with a cup of coffee? A recent experiment by two Chinese middle school students suggests the combo might reduce your aluminum intake—but is it actually healthier?

Yes, coffee can cut the aluminum content in oil-fried dough sticks by more than 50%, compared to just 20% when eaten with soy milk. But nutrition experts say neither pairing is ideal for regular consumption due to other health risks.

Why Aluminum in Oil-Fried Dough Sticks Is a Concern

Oil-fried dough sticks—common in northern China—are a staple breakfast food. To achieve their signature crispy texture, they’re traditionally made using alum (potassium aluminum sulfate), which significantly raises their aluminum content. Regularly eating these can lead to excessive aluminum intake, which is linked to nerve damage and may increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.

What the Student Experiment Found

In their experiment, two middle schoolers tested how different drinks affect the aluminum levels in oil-fried dough sticks. They found that:

• Soy milk reduces aluminum content by around 20%
• Coffee reduces it by more than 50%

That means if you eat oil-fried dough sticks with coffee, you may absorb substantially less aluminum than with soy milk—or by themselves.

But Is Oil-Fried Dough Sticks with Coffee Really Healthier?

Not necessarily. Dr. Xia Mingqi, head of nutrition at Liaoning Provincial People’s Hospital, explains that oil-fried dough sticks are still a highly caloric, deep-fried food. Eating just two can push your daily oil intake to the limit or beyond. Most vendors reuse cooking oil multiple times, which forms harmful polymers when heated repeatedly. Plus, the aluminum issue remains unresolved. Even with coffee, these concerns don’t vanish.

Nutritionally, the classic Chinese combo of oil-fried dough sticks and soy milk is actually better than oil-fried dough sticks with coffee. Soy milk helps cut through the grease, supports lipid metabolism, and can modestly lower blood lipids. Coffee, meanwhile, is often consumed with added sugar, increasing the overall calorie count and reducing the health benefit—even if it does reduce aluminum more effectively.

What a Truly Balanced Breakfast Looks Like

Chinese breakfasts often lack vegetables. But according to dietary guidelines, a balanced breakfast should include:

• Grains
• Animal-based foods (like meat or eggs)
• Dairy or dairy alternatives
• Vegetables and/or fruits

A breakfast covering all four categories is considered nutritionally adequate. Three categories make it moderately adequate, while two or fewer means it’s lacking. Variety and balance matter more than any single superfood pairing—including coffee with oil-fried dough sticks.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does coffee reduce aluminum in oil-fried dough sticks?

The student experiment found that coffee reduces the aluminum content in oil-fried dough sticks by more than 50%, significantly more than soy milk’s approximate 20% reduction.

Is it safe to eat oil-fried dough sticks regularly?

No. They’re deep-fried, high in calories, and often cooked in reused oil that forms harmful compounds. They also contain elevated aluminum levels from the use of alum, which can harm nerve tissue over time.

Does soy milk help reduce aluminum absorption?

Yes, according to the experiment, soy milk can reduce the aluminum content in oil-fried dough sticks by around 20%, making it a better pairing than coffee from a metal absorption standpoint—though still not ideal overall.

Why is coffee with sugar worse for you?

Most people add sugar or sweeteners to their coffee, which increases the calorie content of the meal. This can lead to higher overall energy intake, especially when paired with calorie-dense fried foods like oil-fried dough sticks.

What should a healthy Chinese breakfast include?

A balanced breakfast should feature grains, animal proteins, dairy or alternatives, and vegetables or fruits. Ideally, it includes all four food groups for optimal nutrition.

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