Is That Morning Cup Of Joe Harmful?

Coming to a California coffee shop near you, cancer warnings on coffee! Well, not yet, but there is talk that the golden state may be required to warn people about the potentially cancerous ingredients in coffee. This isn’t intended to make light of cancer in any way shape or form, but rather the idea that everything these days is said to be causing it. After copious articles and research saying coffee can help with weight loss, dieting, exercise and over all health (when used responsibly), one may begin to wonder why California is now eager to warn us of the harms of coffee.

Under California’s Prop 65, businesses by law must notify the public if their beverages contain any of the 65 harmful ingredients that are linked to cancer. Arcylamide is a chemical that has been linked to potentially causing cancer, and it is produced when a coffee bean is roasted. Thus far in Cali, 13 different defendants have settled and agreed to post warnings. There are also 9 more defendants that will take part in a private mediation in February.

No everyone believes that this harmful chemical is causing cancer from coffee consumption, though. Many coffee distributors are arguing that the levels of Arcylamide, though prevalent, are not high enough to cause any harm. In fact, some say, the benefits actually outweigh the negatives. Research has shown, as TIME reports, that coffee actually contains cancer-fighting antioxidants. So perhaps it’s wise to take the information with a grain of salt, and maybe don’t drink coffee (or do anything for that matter) in excess.