Baristas are constantly brewing coffee or making delicious coffee drinks with coffee beans from around the world.  Unless these beans are organic, there is always a chance that they are coming into contact with pesticide residues.  Take a look at the minimum pesticide residue standards. 

Most U.S. research concludes that approximately 94 percent of the coffee beans shipped to the United States are free from chemicals and pesticide residues, but as we have pointed out throughout our site, we are suspicious of most funded research because it is never clear who funded what, how accurate the product analysis is from various labs worldwide, and how the unique groups were segregated, interviewed, and their responses analyzed.

Chemicals

In consumer advocate David Steinman and Dr. Samuel S. Epstein’s book The Safe Shoppers Bible, they report that methylene chloride - used to decaffeinate coffee – is carcinogenic.

What we do know about coffee is that chemicals and carcinogens occur naturally in the making of coffee.  They include acetaldehyde, acetic acid, acetone, atractylosides, butanol, cafestol, palmitate, chlorogenic acid, dimethyl sulfide, furan, furfural, guaiacol, hydrogen sulfide, isoprene, methyl, glyoxal, propionaldehyde, pyridine and 1,3,7 trimethylxanthine.

Exposure Symptoms

• Fatigue
• Low energy
• Tiredness (regardless of the amount of sleep)
• Abnormal metabolism
• Depression
• Learning and behavioral disabilities
• Skin rashes
• Watery or teary eyes
• Chronic respiratory inflammation
• Ringing in ears
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Headaches

What to do:

• Eat lots of fiber
• Drink 8 ounces of carrot juice daily
• Drink only filtered water
• Drink a cup of miso soup daily
• Buy only organically grown fruits and veggies
• Avoid processed, refined, or canned foods
• Eat legumes and superfoods
• Eat a bowl of high-fiber cereal – sprinkle with brewer’s yeast, toasted wheat germ and lecithin granules
• Drink green and chamomile tea daily
• Take long walks
• Avoid protective waxes found on fruits and veggies
• Have as many massages, acupuncture, and chiropractic treatments as you can afford

Take the following vitamins, herbs and supplements daily:

• Garlic oil
• Dandelion
• Grapefruit seed extract
• Bilberry extract
• Astragalus
• Siberian ginseng
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C with bioflavnoids
• Vitamin E
• Coenzyme Q10
• Vitamin B complex
• Zinc
• Manganese

Pain, Sprains & Strains

Many baristas suffer from hand, arm and joint pain.  Imagine the repetitive nature of making that perfect shot of espresso.  These actions can lead to muscle and joint stress, which can then create strains and sprains of wrists, shoulders, fingers and elbows. Baristas who stand for long periods of time may experience knee, ankle, or foot pain.

What to do:

• Take frequent breaks and relax your hands
• Stretch and relax wrists, arms and hands frequently to avoid cramping
• Wear comfortable clothes that do not restrict movement
• Exercise
• Go on an alkalinizing diet or low-fat diet
• Eat lots of fiber
• Eat lots of fresh pineapple – contains bromelain, an enzyme excellent for reducing inflammation – and cherries
• Eat sulfur foods – asparagus, eggs, garlic, onions
• Eat green leafy veggies, sweet potatoes, cabbages, most non-acidic fruits, whole grains, olive oil and fish
• Eat spicy foods, especially foods that contain cayenne hot peppers – they contain a compound called capsaicin that helps relieve pain
• Avoid dairy products, red meat, sugar, salt and caffeine
• Avoid processed, refined and fast foods
• Avoid high-gluten foods
• Avoid soft drinks

Take the following vitamins, herbs and supplements daily:

• Boron
• Bromelain
• Vitamin B5 – pantothenic acid
• Salmon oil
• Silica
• Vitamin E
• Calcium
• Manganese
• Copper
• Zinc
• Coenzyme Q10
• Kelp
• Alfalfa  
• Multi-enzyme complex
• Selenium
• Vitamin B complex
• Vitamin B12
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin K
• Garlic
• Grape seed extract
• Shark cartilage  
• Cat’s claw
• Ginger
• Drink herb teas:  brigham, bruchu leaves, burdock root, celery seed, corn silk, devil’s claw, horsetail, nettle, parsley and yucca
• Drink green teas