Coffee is a huge part of the American lifestyle, and has lately been the subject of exciting health research. Scientists are just beginning to understand the health benefits of coffee.
Coffee has shown in recent research to improve survival rate in colon cancer patients, promote liver health, and even help prevent clogged arteries. But does your coffee contain dangerous toxins?
New research led by Dr. Emilia Ferrer of the University of Valencia in Spain shows that there may be.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO):
“Mycotoxicoses are diseases caused by mycotoxins, i.e. secondary metabolites of moulds. Although they occur more frequently in areas with a hot and humid climate, favourable for the growth of moulds, they can also be found in temperate zones. Exposure to mycotoxins is mostly by ingestion, but also occurs by the dermal and inhalation routes. Mycotoxicoses often remain unrecognized by medical professionals, except when large numbers of people are involved.”
Dr. Ferrer and her team analyzed 100 samples of coffee solid in Spain supermarkets to test for toxins, and were able to find mycotoxins in many of the samples.
“The only legislated mycotoxin is ochratoxin A,” says Dr. Ferrer. “We have detected low concentrations of this mycotoxin in the coffee samples, although five of the samples exceeded permitted levels.”
According to Dr. Ferrer concerning their findings:
“A lack of legislation on coffee regarding the rest of the mycotoxins that have been detected, their toxic effects and the concentration values obtained are making it necessary that we pay special attention to these contaminants which are present in a product that is consumed this much.”
When drinking coffee, make sure to stick to organic from a reputable source.
Note: None of the information in our website is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. The content on our website is for educational purposes only.
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REFERENCES:
1. “Drinking Coffee Daily May Improve Survival in Colon Cancer Patients.” Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 17 Aug. 2015. Web. 8 Nov. 2015.
2. “Coffee Consumption and Coronary Artery Calcium in Young and Middle-aged Asymptomatic Adults.” Heart. BMJ, 2 Mar. 2015. Web. 8 Nov. 2015.
3. “Does Your Coffee Contain Mycotoxins?” Medical News Today. MediLexicon International, n.d. Web. 08 Nov. 2015.
4. “Simultaneous Determination of Mycotoxin in Commercial Coffee.” Science Direct. Food Control, n.d. Web. 08 Nov. 2015.
5. “Toxic Effects of Mycotoxins in Humans.” WHO. World Health Organization, n.d. Web. 8 Nov. 2015.
