Can Instant Coffee In The Morning Raise Your Acrylamide Levels? An Expert’s Verdict

Many people like to start their morning with a cup of coffee, made with instant powder. But did you know that instant coffee contains a substance called acrylamide? As per studies, this substance has links to cancer. So can your morning instant coffee put your health at risk due to its acrylamide levels? This article will answer it for you.

To get an expert view on this, we reached out to Ms Edwina Raj, Head of Services - Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore.

What Is Acrylamide?

First, let us begin by understanding what acrylamide is. “It is a substance that forms naturally when coffee beans are roasted at high temperatures. It is found in many cooked foods like bread, biscuits, and chips. This happens due to Maillard reaction between asparagine and sugars at high temperatures above 120°C, peaking early in the process before degrading with darker roasts,” explains Ms Raj. 

So why is it a cause of concern? As per research, acrylamide can cause cancer in animals exposed to very high doses. Although there is no consistent epidemiological evidence on the impact of acrylamide from food consumption on cancer in humans, both the US National Toxicology Program and the Joint Food and Agriculture Organisation/World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) consider acrylamide as a human health concern.

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How Much Acrylamide Does Coffee Contain?

Coffee does contain acrylamide – but how much exactly? “Brewed coffee contains low levels (about 0.45 micrograms per cup), far below those in fried foods like french fries. Instant coffee has higher concentrations, up to twice that of brewed, due to dehydration processes. However, the amount present in one or two cups a day is generally considered low and within safe limits,” explains Ms Raj. On this note, let us take a look at some of the other sources of acrylamide:

• Acrylamide is found mainly in food made from plants, such as potatoes, grain products, and coffee.
• Acrylamide is not typically associated with meat, dairy, or seafood products.
• It is also found in plant-based foods cooked with high heat such as frying, roasting, and baking.
• Some foods have larger levels of acrylamide such as potato products (French fries and potato chips), coffee, and foods made of grains (like breakfast cereal, cookies, and toast). 

Can Acrylamide From Coffee Harm Your Health?

Now let us address the main question – is acrylamide in coffee bad for your health?

“Studies show that the overall health benefits of coffee, such as improved alertness and antioxidants, may outweigh the small risk linked to acrylamide exposure. According to experts, acrylamide in food should be reduced as much as possible, but normal dietary exposure is usually not a cause for panic. It is important to understand that most research linking acrylamide to cancer is based on animal studies, where very high doses were used, far higher than what people consume through coffee. In short, morning instant coffee may contain a small amount of a chemical called acrylamide, but for most people it is not a major health risk when taken in moderation,” explains Ms Raj.

“But if you are concerned, you can limit your intake to one or two cups a day. Avoid over-roasted products, and maintain a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables. In simple terms, drinking instant coffee every morning is unlikely to significantly raise your acrylamide levels to a dangerous point, but moderation is always wise for long-term health,” concludes Ms Raj.

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The Final Word

Acrylamide is a substance that forms naturally when coffee beans are roasted at high temperatures. As per research, acrylamide can cause cancer in animals exposed to very high doses. Morning instant coffee may contain a small amount of a chemical called acrylamide, but for most people it is not a major health risk when taken in moderation