Bonus Update 28 Feb 2024: Check the last paper referenced at the bottom of this blog. It can make a huge difference in the taste of your expresso!
Coffee, often referred to as the ‘elixir of life’, is more than just a comforting morning ritual or an afternoon pick-me-up. With numerous studies highlighting its beneficial impact on health, coffee can indeed be regarded as a form of ‘medicine’. But, as with any medicine, it’s crucial to ensure its quality for maximum efficacy. One of the key aspects of maintaining coffee’s integrity is avoiding mold contamination.
Mold in coffee can be more common than we might think. It’s not necessarily visible, but its presence can negatively impact the coffee’s taste and, more importantly, its health benefits. More concerning, mold exposure can lead to various health issues ranging from allergic reactions to more serious neurological problems.
To enjoy the health benefits of coffee and avoid potential risks, I’ve developed some strategies based on my experiences and personal research:
1. Choose Reliable Sources: Quality coffee begins with choosing the right brand. I get all my coffee from three main sources:
- 44 North Coffee: This coffee is featured at the Lost Kitchen and the Royal Tar Blend has become my favorite.
- Blue Bottle: Known for their high-quality brews, this San Francisco-based company is a reliable source for great coffee.
- Black Rifle: A veteran organization delivering excellent coffee while supporting a good cause.
- Hawaiian Kona from Amazon Green Coffee Traders: The premium price pays for the distinctive rich flavor of Kona coffee.
2. Avoid Mold-Prone Brands: Certain brands can be more prone to mold contamination. In my case, I’ve found mold in some Nespresso capsules during recycling. So, to reduce exposure to mold, I try to avoid such brands in the future. Also, I use frequency treatments on my home to further combat mold.
3. Muscle Testing for Need: I treat coffee as a personalized medicine. By using muscle testing, I can determine whether my body needs coffee at any given time. If it’s not going to benefit me, I simply don’t drink it.
4. Variety is Key: Since the body’s needs constantly vary, it’s beneficial to have a range of coffee choices at hand. This not only satisfies my liking for coffee but also allows me to meet the fluctuating needs of my body.
In summary, treating coffee as medicine involves both a conscious choice of high-quality sources and an attuned awareness of your body’s needs. With the right approach, your favorite brew can serve as more than just a beverage, becoming a valuable ally in your journey towards health and wellbeing.
References
The health benefits of coffee have been widely researched over the years. Here are some key studies that have found positive effects associated with coffee consumption:
1. Coffee consumption and health: umbrella review of meta-analyses of multiple health outcomes – Poole R, Kennedy OJ, Roderick P, Fallowfield JA, Hayes PC, Parkes J. – British Medical Journal, 2017 (Source: [Link](https://www.bmj.com/content/359/bmj.j5024))
This umbrella review of 201 meta-analyses of observational research and 17 meta-analyses of interventional research concluded that coffee consumption was more often associated with benefits than harm for a range of health outcomes across exposures including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and mortality.
2. Coffee Consumption and Mortality From All Causes, Cardiovascular Disease, and Cancer: A Dose-Response Meta-Analysis – Grosso G, Godos J, Galvano F, Giovannucci EL. – American Journal of Epidemiology, 2014 (Source: [Link](https://academic.oup.com/aje/article/180/8/763/2739112))
This study analyzed the associations of coffee consumption with mortality from all causes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cancer. It concluded that coffee consumption was inversely related to all-cause mortality and mortality due to CVD and various cancers.
3. Coffee Intake and Incidence of Hypertension: Results from Three Large Prospective Cohort Studies – Liu QP, Wu YF, Cheng HY, Xia T, Ding H, Wang H, Wang ZM, Xu Y. – American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2020 (Source: [Link](https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/112/5/1120/5877589))
This paper found that higher coffee consumption was associated with a lower risk of hypertension.
4. Coffee and Tea Consumption Are Inversely Associated with Mortality in a Multiethnic Urban Population – Gardener H, Rundek T, Wright CB, Elkind MS, Sacco RL. – Journal of Nutrition, 2013 (Source: [Link](https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/143/8/1299/4571557))
This study showed that daily coffee consumption was associated with a decreased risk of death from all causes.
5. The Impact of Green Tea and Coffee Consumption on the Reduced Risk of Stroke Incidence in Japanese Population – Kokubo Y, Iso H, Saito I, Yamagishi K, Yatsuya H, Ishihara J, Inoue M, Tsugane S. – Stroke, 2013 (Source: [Link](https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/strokeaha.111.677500))
This research found that daily consumption of green tea and coffee can significantly reduce the risk of stroke.
6, Harper, J.M., McDonald, C.S., Rheingold, E.J., & Wehn, L.C. (2024). Moisture-controlled triboelectrification during coffee grinding. Matter. Retrieved from https://www.cell.com/matter/pdf/S2590-2385(23)00568-4.pdf
If you have read this far you have a special treat. This research paper finds that water content of beans makes a huge difference in the coffee grinding process. Put your beans in a bowl of a water for a minute or two, then drain the water. Now when you put them in your expresso grinder you will get a better tasting expresso. The difference can be huge, depending on how dry your beans are.
Please note that while coffee has been found to have many positive health effects, overconsumption can still lead to issues such as sleep disturbances, increased heart rate, and gastrointestinal problems. Individuals should also be aware of the amount of sugar and cream they add to their coffee, as these additions can lead to health problems if consumed excessively. It’s also important to mention that while these studies find associations, they do not prove causality, and individual health outcomes can vary.