Let’s talk about toxins. They’re everywhere. It seems like everytime we turn on the TV we are being bombarded with information about new ways we could potentially ingesting toxins such as: chemicals, bacteria, and microplastics. All of these are huge contributors to the ever-evolving bacteria causing new viruses and illness.
Now what if I told you, you could possibly be consuming all these things in your morning cup of coffee.
Say it ain’t so!
I don’t know about you, but I can’t function without my morning cup of coffee. And it’s crazy to think that my warm “bean-water” could be full of such toxins! After all .. it’s just bean-water, right??
WRONG.
There’s a couple different ways your morning cup of coffee could be loaded up with toxins ..
1.Growth
It’s odd to think we have to grow our coffee, but the beans have to come from somewhere and as it turns out, coffee is one of the most intensively sprayed crops in the world. This is because coffee is no longer grown in the shade (where the plant evolved and thrives). It is now grown to allow for maximum production, which requires large amounts of pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and chemical fertilizers.Here are just three of the pesticides commonly used on coffee beans:
Methyl Parathyion (one of the worst pesticides ever created) toxic to a wide swath of all living things–including humans.
Endosulfan is toxic to most animals and takes a very long time to break down in the soil.
Chlorpyrifos has been banned for household use in the U.S. as it can cause birth defects.
2.Roasting
The roasting process involves so much more than just .. roasting. Like any other “manufacturing and process”, there’s equipment involved - and that equipment has to be cleaned regularly. And by now.. we have all heard the horrors about cleaning solutions and the chemicals associated. The roasting process typically consists of the flavoring process as well. Flavoring agents are commonly used to mask the taste and smell of old or bad beans, in an effort to “improve taste”. However these flavors are often synthetic and include preservatives.
3.Coffee Pods
Coffee pod founder, John Sylvan, has said that he regrets inventing the pod. The environmental damage caused by pods cannot be stressed enough. Traditional coffee pods are neither biodegradable, nor recyclable. Equally concerning - coffee pods are made of plastic. The hot water that passes through them actually increases the leaching of endocrine disruptors into your coffee. While k-cups are advertised as BPA free, they’ve still tested positive for estrogenic activity. To make matters worse, the top of coffee pods are usually made of aluminum, which is a heavy metal linked to a range of health problems.
4.Packaging
Once coffee is harvested, and roasted - it has to be packaged. Unfortunately, coffee bags are typically lined with polypropylene to keep coffee oils from ruining the bag. Polypropylene is the single most abundant micro-plastic found in all waters around the world. The effects of microplastics from this type of plastic are only beginning to be understood.
In conclusion, the ubiquitous presence of toxins in our daily lives, even in seemingly innocent items like our morning cup of coffee, is a stark reality. From the intensive use of pesticides and chemicals during the growth of coffee beans to the potential contamination in the roasting process, and the environmental hazards posed by coffee pods and packaging, it's clear that our favorite beverage may not be as pure as we once believed.
As consumers, it is imperative for us to be mindful of the sources and processing methods of our coffee to make informed choices that align with our health and environmental values. Opting for organic, sustainably grown coffee and being aware of the potential pitfalls in different coffee production processes can contribute to a healthier and more eco-friendly coffee consumption.
While enjoying that morning cup of coffee, let's also consider the broader implications of our choices on the planet and our well-being. In the quest for a truly satisfying and toxin-free coffee experience, awareness and conscious decision-making play pivotal roles.
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