Drinking coffee the wrong way can lead to significant ingestion of microplastics.
Even those who usually prefer iced Americanos switch to hot coffee when the weather gets cold. However, concerns are growing about the health risks of drinking takeout coffee from disposable paper cups.
Disposable paper cups contain various chemicals, some of which may affect health. A notable example is perfluorochemicals, which are used as coating agents to make the cups water-resistant. These compounds can accumulate in the body, increasing the risk of high blood pressure.
According to a study by the University of Michigan, women aged 45 to 56 with higher levels of these substances in their blood showed a greater risk of developing high blood pressure. In particular, women with elevated perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) had a 42% and 47% higher risk, respectively.
Research also suggests that microplastics may be released from disposable paper cups. A team from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, conducted experiments with hot liquids poured into paper cups. They found about 25,000 microplastic particles could be released into a single drink. These particles likely come from the cup’s coating. When accumulated in the body, microplastics can trigger inflammatory responses and have negative health effects over time.
Considering both health and environmental protection, switching from disposable paper cups to reusable containers is a wise choice.
