My clients often warn me they’re open to dietary adjustments on one condition: “Don’t touch my coffee.” I appreciate coffee's critical, even sacred, role in human performance and the day-to-day functioning of millions of companies and organizations worldwide. But with coffee, as in everything else, quality matters. A body of peer-reviewed research shows that approximately 50% (or more) of commercially available coffee is contaminated with toxic mold, which can have adverse health effects, including brain fog, mineral depletion, stomach issues, a weakened immune system, liver damage, and chronic health problems.
BLUF/TLDR: If coffee is part of your daily routine, you owe it to your brain (and liver and kidneys) to drink coffee that is third-party, lab-tested, and mold-free—free bag & links below.
Could the substance we rely on to fuel our mornings be contributing to brain fog, fatigue, and anxiety and increasing our risk for cancer, kidney disease, and dementia?[1] [2] If you’re part of the 28% of the population with a genetic hypersensitivity to mycotoxins like the Ochratoxin A (OA) found in contaminated coffee, your daily cup of coffee could cause more harm than good.[3]
Most coffee beans are processed in wet, warm environments—perfect mold-growing conditions. The roasting and brewing process removes or degrades some mold, but testing shows that mycotoxins still make it to the final beverage.[4] Critics argue that levels are “below the safety limits.” Still, these limits are determined by the same health and safety “experts” who allow glyphosate and 1000s of other toxic and cancer-promoting chemicals into our food supply every day.
How does mold affect performance? Fatigue, hangover (without the fun that preceded it), anxiety, brain fog, mood swings, twitching eyes, chronic sinus infections, chronic nasal drip, and chronic inflammation are just a few of the most common symptoms. Because the list is so broad, it’s common for these symptoms to be overlooked or misdiagnosed as chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, or even Alzheimer’s Disease. In fact, “toxic” is one of Dr. Dale Bredesen’s six subtypes of Alzheimer’s Disease, meaning that toxic mold exposure can create the same symptoms and pathology as Alzheimer’s Disease.
Even for those without symptoms or a genetic predisposition, we live in a toxic world in which our bodies are working around the clock to manage the hundreds or even thousands of chemicals we throw at them daily. Why not give your brain, liver, kidneys, and mitochondria a break?
Fortunately, you can enjoy coffee without mold because a growing number of brands, including Danger, Fabula, and Purity to name a few—have committed to producing certified mold-free coffee (links below). Mold-free coffee is strongly associated with health and longevity, offering neuroprotection and reduced risk of cognitive decline. The polyphenols and bioactive compounds in coffee are associated with increased alertness, enhanced cognitive performance, and slower memory decline in aging brains and Alzheimer’s Disease.[5]
Coffee has also been shown to support the body’s antioxidant system, enhance insulin sensitivity, upregulate the Nrf2 system (which helps protect cells), lower inflammation, and even offer protection against diabetes and some cancers. The phenylindanes that form during brewing have also been associated with inhibiting the formation of beta-amyloid plaques and tau-tangles, signatures of Alzheimer’s Disease.
So go ahead and enjoy your coffee, but make sure it’s mold-free. If you’re feeling less sharp than you’re used to and can’t figure out why, let’s have a chat. I’m offering a free bag of Danger Coffee to the first three people who book an appointment and mention this post.
Danger Coffee Use Code ARCHITECT10 for 10% off (Affiliate Link—I receive a small commission if you purchase from this link). This is my personal choice because it is not only mold-free but also remineralized. Danger Coffee is infused with over 50 trace minerals, nutrients, and electrolytes to help you feel energized, engaged, and powerful.
Fabula Coffee (Affiliate Link – I receive a small commission if you purchase from this link)
Purity Coffee (No Affiliation)
----------
[2] Studer-Rohr I, Dietrich DR, Schlatter J, Schlatter C. The occurrence of ochratoxin A in coffee. Food Chem Toxicol. 1995 May;33(5):341-55. doi: 10.1016/0278-6915(94)00150-m. PMID: 7759018.
[4] Pérez De Obanos A, González-Peñas E, López De Cerain A. Influence of roasting and brew preparation on the ochratoxin A content in coffee infusion. Food Addit Contam. 2005 May;22(5):463-71. doi: 10.1080/02652030500090042. PMID: 16019819.
[5] Bredesen, Dale MD. “The End of Alzheimer’s Program: The First Program to Enhance Cognition and Reverse Decline at Any Age.” 2020. 121-122.
Коментарі