The chemical Food and Drug Administration tests of acrylamide levels found they ranged from 175 to 351 parts per billion (a measure of concentration for a contaminant) for six brands of coffee tested; the highest was for one type of decaf coffee crystals.
All types of coffee containing roasted beans contain some acrylamide. Coffee substitutes, such as cereal and chicory root coffees, also contain acrylamide if they have undergone a roasting process. The only type of coffee that does not contain acrylamide is that which contains unroasted, or green, coffee beans.
Coffee manufacturers can also help to reduce the levels of acrylamide in coffee by storing the coffee beans for longer periods of time before roasting, or by roasting the coffee beans at a lower temperature.
Is decaf coffee harmful to health? Decaffeinated coffee, or “decaf,” is similar in taste and appearance to regular coffee but contains very little caffeine. There is no evidence to suggest that drinking decaf is bad for a person's health, and it may even share some of the health benefits of regular coffee.
Decaf coffee contains many of the same substances found in regular coffee. But it has a much lower amount of caffeine. It can have many of the same health benefits as regular coffee, too, such as a reduced risk of diabetes, colon cancer, stroke, and dementia.
Is Decaffeinated Coffee Good for Your Liver? There is no clear evidence that suggests drinking decaffeinated coffee is specifically good for the liver. However, drinking moderate amounts of coffee in general has been associated with a lower risk of liver disease, including liver cancer and cirrhosis.
Drinking more water, a lot more water for some of us, will probably be the most important thing you can do to get rid of Acrylamide. However, make sure you are drinking pure water; otherwise you may inadvertently increase your exposure. Taking herbs to improve kidney and liver detoxification may be helpful.
The bad news about acrylamide is that prolonged exposure of high concentrations can damage the human nervous system and even cause cancer (although no human studies have been conducted).
If acrylamide enters soil or water, it will be broken down quickly by bacteria.
Once in your body, acrylamide enters your body fluids. Acrylamide and its breakdown products leave your body mostly through urine; small amounts may leave through feces, exhaled air, and breast milk.
Breakfast cereals – cornflakes and all-bran flakes are the worst offenders, while porridge oats contain no acrylamide at all.
In most cases, the symptoms and signs of acrylamide exposure have been reversible, with full resolution after 2–12 months of exposure withdrawal, although some symptoms can persist for several years [5].
The highest mean acrylamide concentration was found in French fries (724 µg/kg) followed by McDonald's menu (459.5 µg/kg), chicken cuttled sandwich (273 µg/kg), pizza (250 µg/kg) and flat bread (230µg/kg).
The highest acrylamide levels were observed with fried potatoes at 16 h in peanut oil, closely followed by canola oil at 16 h and 28 h or extra virgin olive oil at 24 h.
However, the amount of acrylamide in your average brewed coffee is 0.45 micrograms, according to a widely cited 2013 Swedish study. Compare this to the 39-82 micrograms of acrylamide that you'll find in your average serving of fast-food french fries, and that cup of coffee is looking less carcinogenic by the minute.
The main targets of acrylamide toxicity are the nervous system and reproductive system. Nervous system effects such as muscle weakness, numbness in hands and feet, sweating, unsteadiness, and clumsiness were reported in some acrylamide workers.
The major food sources of acrylamide are French fries and potato chips; crackers, bread, and cookies; breakfast cereals; canned black olives; prune juice; and coffee.
Acrylamide, a potentially carcinogenic substance, was detected in tea and has resulted in serious public concern. The acrylamide levels in the tea samples, except roasted green tea, especially in tea infusion, were generally lower than those in other heat-processed foods.
Acrylamide is found mainly in foods made from plants, such as potato products, grain products, or coffee. Acrylamide does not form, or forms at lower levels, in dairy, meat, and fish products.
Bread often contains what may be considered to be low amounts of acrylamide. However, due to its high consumption rate, its contribution to dietary exposure is still considerable.
Is decaf coffee bad for you? Like all coffee, decaffeinated coffee is safe for consumption and can be part of a healthy diet. If you are wondering whether the decaffeination process itself is safe, the answer is yes.
People of all ages can enjoy a moderate amount of decaf coffee. However, anyone with medical concerns such as acid reflux, IBS, and digestive problems should consider switching to decaf. Pregnant women or people should also consider switching to decaf and lowering their caffeine intake.
Many methods have become available, but the most recognised method is the Swiss Water Process (SWP) – an environmentally friendly, chemical-free water process. Read on to find out more about the Swiss Water Process and whether it is the best way to decaffeinate coffee.