Why coffee pods are the worst?

July 24, 2025

There’s nothing quite like the smell of coffee in the morning.

It’s comforting, energizing, and for many of us, completely essential. That first sip feels like a reset button- warming your hands, sharpening your mind, and setting the tone for the day.

But what if I told you that your beloved morning ritual might be sneaking in more than just caffeine?

Coffee pods issue

Coffee pods are a trend that replaced traditional brewing methods almost overnight. I get it- they’re fast, tidy, and make a pretty decent cup when you’re bleary-eyed and rushing out the door. But as a doctor and someone who genuinely cares about what we put into our bodies, I’ve got to say it: coffee pods come with a hidden cost you can’t taste- but you definitely should know about.

So, what’s the problem?

When you use plastic pods, you’re essentially blasting them with heat, pressure, and acidity- the perfect storm for leaching. That’s when chemicals from the plastic sneak into your drink. It’s not just a theory; it’s been proven in lab studies. Researchers have found that BPA, BPF, phthalates, benzophenone, and nonylphenol can all migrate from pods into your morning brew.

To put it plainly: you're drinking more than coffee. coffee cup

These aren’t innocent particles. They’re endocrine disruptors- substances that can mimic or interfere with your body’s hormones. That means your coffee could be subtly messing with your thyroid, fertility, metabolism, or even cancer risk over time. One study even found that coffee brewed from plastic pods showed estrogenic activity in lab tests.

Microplastics in your cup?

Yes, that too. Recent reports confirm that plastic pods can shed microplastics when exposed to boiling water. These microscopic particles are invisible to the eye but very real inside your body. They’ve been linked to inflammation, oxidative stress, gut microbiome changes, and even cardiovascular and neurological issues. Some studies estimate we consume tens of thousands of these plastic particles every year- and your daily cup may be part of the problem.

But Dr Ben, isn’t the exposure low?

Yes and no. While the levels of individual chemicals might fall within “safe” limits, let’s remember two key things:

1. You drink coffee every day.

2. You're exposed to plastics everywhere else too.

The cumulative effect? Still very much an open question in science, and one I wouldn’t gamble on with my hormones.

So what can you do?

Don’t worry- you don’t have to give up coffee. In fact, I’d never ask that (I'm not a monster).

Instead, just rethink how you brew it:

Use stainless steel reusable pods- they work with your existing machine and don’t leach toxins.
Try a French press or pour-over method- great flavour, zero plastic.
Or just bring back the good old coffee pot—timeless, reliable, and plastic-free.

Final sip:

We all want our mornings to be effortless- but not at the expense of our long-term health! It’s time we looked at coffee pods with a little more scrutiny and a lot more science.

Let’s brew better. For your body, your health, and your planet.