People often ask if I have a nutritional vice. I suppose I have two, but I don’t consider them that bad. I enjoy a glass of red wine with dinner on the weekends, and every day, I have a double espresso with breakfast, followed by a single shot after lunch, and sometimes after dinner.
I own a high-end Saeco espresso machine that makes a fantastic cup, which I use in the afternoon or evening. But in the morning, I stick to the old-fashioned stovetop method—just like my parents and grandparents did. I love the rich aroma that fills the house, bringing back childhood memories. And of course, the caffeine boost is a welcome perk!
The Health Concern with Stovetop Espresso Makers
There is a legitimate health concern when using a stovetop espresso maker, and it has nothing to do with caffeine. The issue lies in the aluminum traditionally used to make these pots. While stainless steel versions are available, they don’t quite offer the same experience.
Why is aluminum a concern? Research suggests that exposure to aluminum from cookware may pose health risks, including:
- Iron-deficiency anemia
- Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
- Damage to the central nervous system
- Listlessness and severe trembling (1)
But don’t worry—there are two simple ways to protect yourself from these risks while still enjoying your espresso.
How to Reduce Aluminum Exposure from Espresso Pots
- Don’t wash the pot after each use. Over time, the coffee oils create a protective layer inside the pot, preventing direct contact between the coffee and the aluminum (2).
- Consider taking a boron supplement.
The Boron-Aluminum Connection
How can boron help? To explain, let’s revisit a concept from my article Stop Bullying Your Thyroid (read it here). In that article, I discussed how fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), and bromine (Br) compete with iodine (I) in the body since they all belong to the same column on the periodic table.
Now, take a look at aluminum (Al) on the periodic table. Directly above it, you’ll find boron (B).
It’s possible that boron competes with aluminum in a similar way that zinc (Zn) competes with mercury (Hg). While this is just a theory at the moment—there’s no solid research yet—others have explored this boron-aluminum hypothesis (see here), so I’m not alone in this line of thinking.
Take-Home Message
Go ahead and enjoy your stovetop espresso—just don’t wash the pot after each use and consider taking a boron supplement to help counteract potential aluminum exposure.
