Many people in the U.S. rely on Keurig coffee makers to kickstart their mornings. These machines are super convenient; you just insert a pod, and your hot coffee is ready in no time. As reported by Timetoast, the idea for the Keurig coffee maker and its K-Cups was created in 1990 by two college friends, who went on to establish the company in 1992. By the early 2000s, the brand had expanded nationwide and was acquired by Green Mountain Coffee in 2006. By 2010, Keurig and its K-Cup products had turned into a billion-dollar business. Coffee pods haven’t been looked at one by one for their harmful effects. But the materials they’re made from, like plastic or aluminum, have been thoroughly researched and shown to impact human health. Overlooking this information is like sticking your head in the sand, especially since it’s easily accessible on PubMed and other online journals.
Top Reasons to Avoid Keurig
Keurig Coffe Cups are Leaching Microplastics
Keurig claims that their K-cups follow FDA regulations and are free from BPA, but there are still worries about the safety of the materials used. Most K-Cups are made from a type of plastic labeled as #7, which is often referred to as “other.” This category can include different kinds of plastics, such as polystyrene or polypropylene. Keurig, the company that produces K-Cups, keeps the specific plastic mixture they use a secret.
Even though K-Cups are advertised as BPA-free, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re completely safe. The term “BPA-free” has become a trendy marketing phrase, but many substitutes for BPA, like BPS, can also disrupt hormones in a similar way. Additionally, even plastics deemed safe for food can still release harmful chemicals, especially when they get hot.
When you brew coffee with a K-Cup, the nearly boiling water flows through the plastic pod. This creates the perfect environment for chemicals to seep from the plastic into the hot coffee. While the paper filter might reduce some contact with plastic, it doesn’t completely eliminate it. Research has shown that exposure to microplastics can lead to inflammation, cell damage, and hormone disruption.
A research article from the National Library of Medicine reveals that these substances can still harm health. Even at low amounts, they might raise the chances of developing diabetes, and at higher levels, they are linked to obesity.
Keurig Cups Contain Questionable Ingredients
Many Keurig cups have added flavors. Can you guess where those flavors come from? It’s definitely some sketchy ingredients. This is just one example of things I would never want to consume.
The ingredient list contains:
Sugar, Creamer (Hydrogenated Coconut Oil, Glucose Syrup, Sodium Caseinate (from Milk), Sodium Polyphosphate, Dipotassium Phosphate, Sodium Stearoyl-2-Lactylate, Silicon Dioxide), Nonfat Dry Milk, Instant Tea, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Modified Food Starch, Salt, Sucralose.
if you are looking for a good non toxic coffee maker – here is the one I use
Aluminum Cups are Not Any Better
Aluminum is a toxic metal that doesn’t provide any positive effects for our bodies. It tends to build up in the brain and has been associated with various neurological issues (Environmental Research, 2002). Notably, aluminum leaches more in acidic environments, and since coffee is acidic, it can contribute to this problem. Some studies have shown a connection between high levels of aluminum exposure and the onset of Alzheimer’s disease (J Alzheimers Dis, 2011).
“The hypothesis that aluminum significantly contributes to Alzheimer’s disease is built upon very solid experimental evidence and should not be dismissed. Immediate steps should be taken to lessen human exposure to aluminum, which may be the single most aggravating and avoidable factor related to Alzheimer’s disease.” (J Alzheimers Dis, 2011)
Low Quality Coffee
K-Cups don’t really give you the freshest coffee out there. According to JavaPresse Coffee Company, the focus is more on making a lot of K-Cups rather than making them high quality. They often use lower-quality beans, which means the coffee can be stale by the time it reaches the stores.
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