The day's first cup of coffee is a simple pleasure for so many of us who look forward to a peaceful ritual first thing in the morning. I drink it black, or occasionally add a splash of raw, organic cream or butter for healthy fat.
Now, imagine your morning cup of joe or frothy latte laced with mold and mycotoxins! As disgusting as this sounds, recent research confirms the presence of these toxic metabolites produced by fungi in many commercial coffee samples, leading to concerns about potential public health risks from coffee consumption.
(Science alert- read on to learn about these harmful biotoxins...if you just want our tips for avoiding them in your coffee, skip to "How to Minimize Risk" below)
Mold is a type of fungus that occurs in nature and has been around for millennia. It naturally aids in the decomposition of organic matter, such as dead grass and leaves. Many mold species are harmless, but some molds produce biotoxins that are harmful and even potentially deadly to humans and animals. Harmful varieties of mold release self-protective metabolites, a mechanism by which the fungi defends itself and grows via spores. These metabolites, which can be detrimental to human health, are known as mycotoxins.
Mycotoxins are often present in our yards, buildings and some agricultural foods such as grains, nuts and even coffee beans. Many of these mycotoxins are so toxic to humans that some countries have used them to develop biological weapons! At least 50% of homes and 60% of buildings have had some kind of water damage, allowing mycotoxins to thrive.
Roughly 20% of the population are highly prone to severe mycotoxin illness and it often goes undiagnosed.
Potential Signs and Symptoms
Mycotoxicity can lead to:
- Drastic mood swings, anxiety, depression
- Sinus infections, bronchitis, migraines
- Gut issues, brain fog, fatigue, neurological symptoms
- Severe sleep issues
- Strong reactivity to chemicals, odors, foods, allergens, prescriptions etc.
Long term, mycotoxins have been shown to have serious effects on health, including the increasing the risk of cancers and immune deficiencies. While we cannot completely obliterate these toxins from our environment, we can at the very least eliminate the ones we drink in our daily cups of coffee!
How to Minimize Your Coffee Mycotoxin Risk
- To minimize your risk, only drink quality organic, mold-free, contaminant-free coffee. Our Cardiology Coffee is tested and found free of pesticides, mold, mycotoxins, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and other contaminants which can compromise health.
- Choose coffee which is roasted for health using smokeless roasting technology, which maximizes antioxidants and minimizes contaminants and mycotoxins.
- Store coffee in a dry, cold place to prevent mold growth. See our Best Storage Tips here.
- Do not keep foods for extended periods of time before being used.
- Avoid most commercial produced and all pre-ground coffees.
- Clean your coffee maker regularly, using a mix of water and white vinegar.
Bottom Line
Don't miss out on the many health benefits coffee provides due to toxins which may be lurking in your beans. Choosing high quality coffee that is independently tested like Cardiology Coffee will allow you to enjoy this beneficial beverage without compromise. Best of all – it tastes amazing and is a boost for your health. If you are concerned about mycotoxins in your environment at large, reach out to our team to discuss testing and tips on mitigating this hazard.
