The 3 types of coffee that are bad for your health that you should definitely not buy at the supermarket

Many French people would not consider starting their day without a shot of coffee. Anchored in consumption habits, it is one of the most consumed drinks in France. 69% of French people consume coffee daily, as revealed by a study by theObSoCo carried out in 2021. But be careful to choose your coffee carefully. Not all coffees available in supermarkets are equal in terms of composition, as reported CNEWS. Some may contain potentially harmful substances. It is therefore crucial to read labels carefully and know what elements to avoid to preserve your health.

What types of coffee should you avoid?

According to our colleagues, there are three types of coffee in particular that should be avoided. The first ? Those that contain PAHs. When roasting, coffee can release polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These compounds mainly appear when a food is exposed to very high temperatures. Their formation may also be linked to environmental pollution during grain drying. PAHs are recognized as carcinogenic, but the levels found in most coffees sold in France remain very low, according to analyses. It is still recommended to favor brands that are transparent about their production methods to avoid any excessive exposure to these substances.

Another thing to watch out for is acrylamide, a chemical that forms when cooking foods high in carbohydrates. Coffee roasting also generates it. Although all coffee contains acrylamide, it is essential that this substance remains below the threshold of 400 µg/kg. Beyond that, it could present a carcinogenic risk. To avoid this, choose coffees that meet strict European standards and favor gentle roasts, which limit the formation of this substance.

Bugs in the coffee?

Finally, some coffees may also contain insect particles. These little intruders can slip into various products such as cereals or coffee beans. In 2023, Jean-Michel Berenger, entomologist, explained, in 2023 in Ouest-France, that we would ingest on average without knowing it between 500 grams and 1 kg of insects per year. Fortunately, this is absolutely not dangerous for your health. However, good grain quality control and rigorous sorting during purchase can help avoid any unpleasant surprises.