What’s Really in Your Coffee? 👀☕️

11 minutes ago

2 min read

Talking to someone about their coffee is sometimes more controversial than talking about vaccines. 😂☕️

But seriously… what’s actually in your coffee matters. Caffeine gets a bad rap, but what comes with it can be even worse.

☕️ Mold + mycotoxins

Coffee is one of the most mold/mycotoxin-prone foods, and those toxins can trigger a host of symptoms. I wrote more about mold & mycotoxins in coffee here.

Mycotoxins are toxins produced by certain fungi and molds, and are known carcinogens. Coffee is susceptible to mold contamination during cultivation, processing, storage and transportation. Studies have shown that over 90% of green coffee beans are contaminated with mold, as well as almost half of commercially brewed coffees.

And then there's the coffee machine itself… I dare you to look inside your coffee maker or Keurig. 😬 That hidden buildup can include mold, yeast, bacteria and biofilm if the machine isn't thoroughly cleaned and maintained.

I prefer brands that are organic, third-party tested and specifically test for mycotoxins. If you're drinking coffee every day, I think it's worth knowing what your brand actually tests for. Vitacup is a brand that specifically tests for mycotoxins.

🧴 Microplastics

Plastic is something I minimize, especially when heat is involved. Heating plastics can increase the migration of certain chemicals, giving you a dose of other chemicals along with your microplastics. Think the inside of your coffee machine, Keurig pods, etc. This is one reason I prefer glass or stainless steel whenever possible... not just for coffee, but for cookware and drinking vessels, too. 💪🏽

☠️ Pesticides + herbicides

Coffee is a crop that can absorb what it's grown in... including pesticide residues. If you're drinking it every day, organic matters.

🧻 Bleached paper filters

If you're using paper filters, look for "unbleached" or "totally Chloriine free" filters or a reusable stainless steel filter if you want to minimize exposure to chemicals associated with the bleaching process.

You don't have to give up your coffee. 🙌

Just be a little more selective about what you're actually drinking, and what you're brewing it in.

If you drink coffee every day, I'd especially look for: