Coffee is a familiar drink in many people's breakfasts thanks to its pleasant flavor and ability to help stay awake. However, if stored improperly or left for too long, this type of drink can potentially harm the liver and kidneys.
When coffee beans or ground coffee are damp, expired or moldy, they can produce mold toxins such as aflatoxin and ochratoxin. Among them, aflatoxin is warned to be associated with liver cancer, while ochratoxin causes kidney damage. Notably, ochratoxin is highly heat-resistant, so even if you brewer coffee with boiling water, it cannot be removed if the coffee is already contaminated with toxins.
Although roasting at high temperatures can partially reduce toxins, roasted coffee is still at risk of getting mold again if stored in a humid environment, many other bags of coffee, or outdoors, near streets. Moss in the air can continue to grow and produce toxins even after packaging.
To limit risks, consumers should choose to buy coffee from reputable suppliers, prioritizing sealed products, only buying enough quantities for use for about 1-2 weeks. Coffee should be stored in sealed containers, with a dehumidifying package, and can be placed in the refrigerator if the temperature and humidity conditions in the house are unstable. Coffee that has moldy or expired needs to be discarded immediately, and should not be regretted for further use.
In addition, coffee grounds after brewing should be discarded directly. Using coffee grounds to deodorize the refrigerator, although common, can cause mold to develop, creating substances that are not beneficial for kidney function if accumulated for a long time.
A proper preservation habit will make a morning cup of coffee safer for health, instead of becoming a potential risk to the liver and kidneys.
