Regular coffees, typically, contain minimal toxins, with select brands potentially harboring traces of harmful substances.
In a recent investigation, the Clean Label Project tested samples from 45 popular coffee brands, analysing over 7,000 tests for pesticides, including glyphosate and its byproduct AMPA, heavy metals, mycotoxins, and phthalates.
The findings revealed that most contaminants in coffee are present at minimal levels and well below the European Union's safety limits per 6-ounce serving. However, traces of glyphosate and AMPA were detected in some coffees, with AMPA found in all 12 organic coffees tested. On the other hand, only 29 out of 45 conventional coffee samples contained AMPA.
The persistent nature of AMPA in the environment is the reason behind its presence in organic coffee, even without direct glyphosate use. As AMPA can accumulate in soil and water near coffee farms and transfer during crop growth, it can be found in organic coffee samples despite the lack of direct glyphosate application.
Regarding health concerns, glyphosate and AMPA have been linked to liver inflammation, DNA damage, and potential carcinogenicity in some studies. However, the levels found in coffee are typically very low, indicating a low immediate risk from typical consumption.
Phthalates, plastic chemicals detected in some coffee products, are associated with reproductive issues, childhood obesity, cancer, asthma, and other health problems. The highest levels of phthalates were found in coffee sold in cans, followed by pods and finally bags.
When it comes to acrylamide, a chemical formed when certain foods are cooked at high temperatures, all tested coffee samples contained small amounts. The levels of acrylamide vary with the degree of roasting of coffee beans, with the highest levels found in medium roasts, followed by light roasts and dark roasts. Dark roasts, which are roasted at lower temperatures for a longer period of time, result in lower acrylamide levels. Light roasts, being roasted minimally, don't build up significant acrylamide levels.
Despite the presence of contaminants in coffee, the investigation concluded that levels are generally very low and coffee remains safe to consume within normal intake levels. In fact, drinking about 3 cups of black coffee a day has been found to provide health benefits such as reducing the risk for heart disease, multiple sclerosis, type 2 diabetes, liver disease, prostate cancer, stroke, dementia, and more.
The report serves to empower consumers to make informed choices about their coffee, encouraging them to consider buying darker or lighter roasts in bags or pods and considering where coffee is grown, as this can impact the levels of heavy metals. The National Coffee Association also emphasizes that decades of independent scientific evidence show that coffee drinkers live longer, healthier lives.
In light of the findings, the detection of AMPA in 100% of organic samples tested is a concern and suggests the need for stronger safeguards and greater transparency in the organic food system. The investigation does not aim to raise alarm or keep consumers from drinking coffee, but rather to provide information to help people choose the cleanest, safest cup of coffee.
- In light of the Science and healthcare analysis, AMPA, a byproduct of glyphosate, has been detected in all organic coffee samples tested, which might raise concerns about the health-and-wellness implications in the Nutrition field, especially since AMPA and glyphosate are linked to potential health issues such as liver inflammation and carcinogenicity.
- When considering food-and-drink choices based on lifestyle preferences, consumers may now wish to take into account the presence of certain chemicals like phthalates and acrylamide, with the highest levels of phthalates found in coffee sold in cans and the levels of acrylamide varying with the degree of roasting, with dark roasts having lower acrylamide levels.
