Christy CushingThis post contains links that are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. For more information, check out my disclosure policy.
I LOVE to drink delicious coffee. Drinking 16oz of coffee each morning with a little half and half and sugar is one of my daily rituals.
Technically coffee is derived from a bean and beans are known to be high in nickel. The original green coffee beans are roasted, where they actually turn brown, anywhere between 200 °C / 392 °F for a light roast to 245 °C / 473 °F for a dark roast. It’s argued when the coffee bean is processed and heated for either a medium or dark roast, the beans are vastly different from their initial state. We probably wouldn’t want to consume other types of beans if they were roasted to these hot temperatures for the same period of time.
Since volcanic soils tend to have more nickel, I drink non-kona coffee, that’s from the rain forest, namely Ethiopia and Guatemala. Personally, I believe some of the nickel in the coffee beans could be roasted away during the coffee roasting process. I don’t have any evidence to support my theory, but I have read that drinking a moderate amount of coffee can reduce your body’s absorption of nickel.
Dietitian Maggie Moon writes in her book The Elimination Diet Workbook (affiliate link) that “Vitamin C, coffee, tea and milk all make it hard for the body to absorb nickel, research shows the amount of nickel absorbed is dampened when nickel was consumed with tea. The exact mechanism is unknown” (pg. 50)[1]. Further in her book Moon writes more about nickel and coffee stating “But be aware that tea and coffee tend to have moderate levels of nickel, so it’s good to include them sparingly, perhaps 1 to 2 cups per day” (pg. 173)[2].
Using my mostly plastic Hamilton Beach 12 cup programable coffee maker (affiliate link), and since using it I haven’t had any eczema or skin issues when I drink my daily coffee. I have heard from many others with nickel allergies and nickel food allergies who experienced terrible reactions from the stainless steel reusable filters for some coffee makers. Sometimes I still use a simple plastic clever coffee dripper (affiliate link). which I use with #4 coffee filters, which is a good nickel free option if you don’t want to use a coffee maker.
Do you drink from a stainless steel to-go mug? Beware of hidden nickel in your coffee machine or in your metal to-go mugs. Using a plastic or ceramic to-go mug could improve your nickel allergy symptoms especially if you use it daily. The ceramic mugs I received for Christmas from my spouse who found them for a couple dollars at a Joann’s craft store! The other plastic mugs I’ve found were at grocery stores in their cookware aisle or at National Park gift stores when we travel.
I’d love to hear if you can or cannot handle 1-2 cups of coffee in your diet or what products you use to brew your coffee. Let me know by commenting below.
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[1] Moon, M. (2014). The Elimination Diet Workbook: A Personal Approach to Determining Your Food Allergies. Berkley, CA. Ulysses Press, p. 50.
[2] Ibid, p. 173.
Christy Cushing
37 comments
I have..well, let’s go with worst case scenario at this point and say the implants can’t be safely removed. And I’m on a lot of immunosuppressive meds. So avoiding/eliminating nickel in my diet isn’t just important–its critical to my daily existence.
That said, I haven’t given up my morning 1-2 cup habit. And I don’t believe the hype about it being the coffee bean itself that is the most problematic in terms of nickel content. I believe it’s the same with chocolate as well.
Both are heavily processed primarily in high nickel stainless steel systems from start to finish. Both are very heavy with natural oils that absorb nickel at a very high rate.
So I removed every possible point of nickel contamination I could. And my coffee tastes better than anyone else’s. It doesn’t have that metallic aftertaste that 5 minutes later has you scurrying to find a quiet loo. I started by finding a bean I liked that is surprisingly affordable for the quality (TJs Ethiopian.) I use a ceramic hurt grinder rather than stainless steel–and even that difference you can taste for yourself with any bean. Throw in a good hot water kettle with no nickel, a chemex pot with the unbleached filters, and you have a perfect cup of coffee. With as little nickel as possible.
Yes I drink one to two cups of coffee with milk daily. I can’t tolerate very much tea though, even weak with milk is higher in nickel.
Terry,
I totally understand and love my coffee with milk too. I can tolerate tea, but I have to make sure it doesn’t include any soy in the ingredients. More and more tea companies are putting soy lecithin in tea…which is unnecessary in my opinion.
Christy
Hi Christy! Hate to admit this but I live in the coffee capitol of the USA, (outside of Seattle WA) and people here tend to be coffee snobs so this would make them snigger….I have been drinking instant coffee ever since I broke the glass portion of my last French Press. I don’t know if it is possible to find a French Press that has no metal in the main press portion of it??? I live alone and only drink one cup a day at most so I just use an organic brand called Mount Hagan. It is the only organic brand of instant coffee that I know of….it comes in a glass jar unlike standard instant coffee. I am a person who avoids plastic like the plague. I will have to check to see where the Mount Hagan coffee is sourced.
I USED to add a vegan plant based protein powder and a small amount of a soy protein drink called Svelte which is just Delicious in cappuccino flavor. I also added one of two Tbs of sprouted organic ground flax and some Maca as well as a scoop of vegan protein powder. I stopped all that and switched to coconut milk as a dilution (I hate coffee black in fact I use no water to make it just the vegan milk) My former milk was flax milk which also had some added pea protein. Flax is high in omegas. Sigh, so I know most of what I drank BEFORE was high nickel. Sadly my attempt to stay vegan on low nickel diet has resulted in DRASTICALLY reduced protein from my prior diet. 7 doctors and nutritionists last week agreed that my prior diet was FULLY nutritionally complete. Too bad I had to give up nearly everything I used to eat 🙁
I am unable to find any exact nickel numbers for the coconut milk, so I limit it to 6 o-8 oz and add a 1-2 TBS coconut creamer (basically richer coconut milk). I am thinking that coconut milk is 99% water so maybe (hopefully) the nickel is not too high?? I can not find data on nickel content of the coconut milk or coconut creamer. For vegan milks I believe my only options now to be coconut or rice milk as far as possibly being low nickel. The others are all nut or flax or soy based so I know those are out. Besides being vegan I am also lactose intolerant and even as a child refused cow’s milk. Digestive enzymes don’t help much. So even if I had to, I can not do cow’s milk….besides I am trying to stay vegan. Do you have any idea on nickel content in coconut milk or the coconut creamer?
Thanks, learning a lot from you and Barbara and the FB group. I really appreciate your patience and support!
Do you think instant coffee is processed in a way that would make it higher in nickel vs brewing it at home??
PS would love to find some numbers on Maca, really miss it! I believe one of the MANY bad things about nickel allergy is the lack of available info on the items I eat and the contradictions found in all the medical websites regarding what foods are high and low in nickel. Drives me nuts, and ruins eating pleasure as I am getting more and more anxious thinking I am somehow “screwing up” and accidentally going over my daily nickel allotment. I am trying to stay at/under 100 ug but honestly don’t know if I am actually meeting the goal due to no info on some of my items….just guessing and maybe I am guessing wrong?
Hi Nicola,
I’m glad you’re finding the FB group so useful. Everyone is really great! Some people with this allergy can tolerate coconut and others can’t. If it works for you, I’d suggest keep drinking/eating it!
I don’t know about instant coffee being different. You might check to see if there are any additional ingredients in instant coffee that could contain nickel…like a soy or pea protein.
Being diagnosed with a nickel food allergy certainly is an adjustment! Balancing nutrition and this allergy is challenging. Once my symptoms were tolerable, I now introduce things higher in nickel from time to time. It seems like you’re figuring out what does and doesn’t work for you. It is somewhat of an ongoing experiment!
Cheers,
Christy
Instant coffee has more nickel that regular coffee
Hi Christy,
I was recently diagnoised with a nickel allergy and I’ve stumbled upon your blogs/fb page. It’s been overwhelmling difficult for me to adjust to eating right. I thought chocolate was hard to give up but COFFEE AND TEA?! I don’t know what to do. I’ve been drinking both coffee and tea every day for years, do you think it’s possible to not be affected by certain products containing nickel? I’m not sure if that’s how nickel allergies work? Of course everyone is different and reacts to things differently…but I think giving up coffee will be very hard for me. Do you recommend drinking something else containing caffeine?
Thanks for creating a blog/pages as a safe comforting place for newbies like me to refer back to!
-Lora
Hi Lora,
Thanks for your positive feedback about my website. I am glad you’ve found the information useful with your new diagnosis. I still drink coffee and green and herbal tea. I make sure the tea doesn’t contain any ingredients high in nickel, for instance no soy or soy lecithin.
I think that nickel allergies don’t effect us all in the same way. I have talked to some who cannot eat onions and garlic, but I have no problem with those foods. It might be possible that you’re not affected by tea or coffee like me whereas others are. I think the best thing for the newly diagnosed is to use a food journal for the first month, writing down what you’re ingesting in relationship to your symptoms. That information will enable you to identify your personal reactions to certain foods and drinks, so you can possibly continue enjoying your daily cup of Joe!
I enjoy staying in touch and would love to hear how it goes!
Christy
Hi I googled about a link between coffee and nickel allergy and came across this post. I have a nickel allergy and was drinking maybe two cups of coffee a day normally flat whites made in the machine and then I started getting a metallic taste so tryed to have them with just milk or iced coffee so just getting the shot of coffee. Now I am getting a burning sensation around my mouth and what feels like little capileries swelling up that are red. I also got a funny feeling in throat and my ear but only on one side. I also have a Eustachian tube that’s always open and bad reflux have no idea what is causing it all. Am worried and don’t know what it is.
Hi Tegan,
Thanks for your comment. What you’re describing sounds terrifying. I’ve heard of some people reacting terribly to the nickel in some coffee machines. Severe nickel allergies can wreck havoc on the human body. Hopefully a medical professional can determine an appropriate course of action to resolve the issue.
Best,
Christy
Christy,
I get the same…not so much from coffee but coffee made in stainless steel pots. Sorry hun.
I also get a little rash in my nose…just keep it clean. My tongue gets little capillaries in a section and tingles/stings…it takes about ten days to wear off…keep clear as best you can. Our glass coffee machine died and we are using a Farberware percolator which is giving me these symptoms again…funny when time goes by one forgets what bothers them but it comes right back. I just realized reading this that I won’t have any coffee tomorrow until I buy a new glass pot. Thanks for everyone’s comments. Like me, sometimes nickel manifests itself internally. Keep vitamin c handy…I eat a lot of bell peppers and luckily I love brussel sprouts. Good luck.
Hi Lynn,
Thanks for your comment. I’ve heard from other who experience terrible reactions making coffee in stainless steel coffee machines. It doesn’t surprise me. Every now and then I’ll have to clean my own machine using water and vinegar. Otherwise the coffee starts to taste bitter. That’s awesome you’ve found a ceramic percolator. I have also used a plastic coffee pour-over that simple to use if you’re only making a small amount of coffee. It’s really true, many experience internal nickel allergy symptoms. Everyone of us is different.
Warm regards,
Christy
Hello Lynn,
I found your mention of glass coffee machine, which is what I’m looking for to make morning coffee preparation (with Chemex) a lot faster! What is the machine you were using?
-Rob
Hello Christy,
My name is Rafaela, and I live in Brazil.
I was diagnosed with nickel allergy soon and found her Blog. I loved the information and tips.
I found your Blog when researching about coffee and allergy. But I still have a question, do you know if coffee made by the nespresso machine contains more nickel than the traditional coffee?
Hi Rafaela,
Thanks for your comment and appreciation for my website. I’m glad it’s helpful. Unfortunately I don’t know about the nespresso coffee machine. You might consider contacting the company directly and asking about the specific model and whether or not the internal components that come in contact with the coffee or water are made with stainless steel or nickel. Their company customer service reps. would know more about their product than me. I hope that’s helpful.
Kind regards,
Christy
I have a Nespresso machine and tolerate the coffee I make with it. I don’t taste anything metallic to it. Their capsules are aluminum. My favorite way to drink it is to use an expresso capsule and after it’s made I add 8 grams of heavy cream, stevia to taste and cold cool water that takes the liquid to 2 full cups. I then pour 1/2 (one cup) of coffee mixture over cold ice. Yum. And I’ve turned one expresso into 2 cups o morning bliss.
Hi K Graafmans,
Thanks for your comment. Your coffee routine does sound like a morning delight that’s delish! I’ll have to try something similar.
Warm regards,
Christy
I’m constantly having reactions on my hands from my job (cashier) I don’t seem to have much issue with coffee thankfully I’d probably lose it otherwise
Hi Ry,
Thanks for your comment. I LOVE coffee and it’s wonderful to have daily indulgences.
Eczema on your hands can be very painful. Even though I don’t touch a lot of cash regularly, washing my hands during the winter cause my hands to become dry if I don’t use lotion often. Have you considered using nitrile-free gloves? Many gloves contain nitrile which unfortunately contains nickel.
Warm regards,
Christy
I know this has been years, but on the show Save My Skin there was a guy that had horrible, painful hands. He was a cashier and turned out he was allergic to the ink used on the receipts.
I would like to have a cocktail or glass of wine for the holidays. Does anyone have a safe suggestion for me? I not sure what would be nickel free. Thanks
Hi Bonnie,
I don’t drink often, but prefer lemon drop martinis and margaritas. Sometimes my skin will react the next day and it’s hard to know if it’s because of the alcohol itself or the ingredients in the alcohol. I always react when I drink wine and beer. My resources page has some information about hidden allergens in common alcohols.
Warm regards,
Christy
I’m getting tested next week. I’ve had jewelry issues for 36 years but never knew it could be a systemic problem. I got a pacemaker in 2010 and my fatigue just keeps getting worse with no explanation. Also have severe sleep apnea. I often think I’m tired after my coffee, so I found you by searching for that. I’m excited to find a reason for my fatigue but really anxious about changing my diet. Already stopped using my beloved stainless steel mugs and water kettle for pour-over coffee.
Hi Beth,
Thanks for your comment. I know of so with systemic nickel allergies that experience severe fatigue. If it is a nickel allergy, perhaps changing out some of your regular cookware could help as well. I understand how overwhelming changing what you eat can be. I hope you find solutions soon!
Warm regards,
Christy
Thanks for your comment. It’s wonderful to hear that the low nickel diet is helping you. That’s wonderful you’ve found ceramic and nickel free coffee tools so your coffee tastes even better than before and has limited to no nickel in it! I rarely eat chocolate as it always makes me react, but I love to drink my Ethiopian coffee every single day!
Warm regards,
Christy
Hi Christy, What brand of coffee do you buy? Recently been diagnosed with nickel allergy. Although I’ve fully given up on tea, I can’t stop my coffee habit. 🙁 saw you wrote Ethiopian and Guatemalan, but was hoping for more specificity. Thank you! Sophie
Hi Sophie,
I get my coffee from WinCo because it’s cheap and delicious. I use their Red Brick Roasting Company. I haven’t really had any issues with any type of branded coffee.
It’s more the machine used to make the coffee that I think causes the problem as many of them are stainless steel and the hot and especially acidic foods (such as tomatoes and coffee) are more prone to releasing nickel from the stainless steel cookware. I hope that helps.
Warm regards,
Christy
Have you ever heard of or tried an Aeropress? It brews a very delicious cup and is made of plastic & can be easily transported and used when traveling . I have happily replaced my French press with it.
Hi Nicole,
Thanks for your comment. I haven’t heard of Aeropress until you mentioned it. The device looks like it’s all made with plastic and no nickel. What a great option for those with systemic nickel allergies! Thanks for sharing and I’m glad to hear it’s been working so well for you.
Warm regards,
Christy
The past weeks I have noticed a change in feelings of a sensation of numbness and tingling of my tongue and lips, changes in my sensation in my face and ears. I also have a metallic taste. I was diagnosed with a sever nickel allergy years ago and had never changed my coffee drinking habits. I wondered if this was from the brand of coffee I used ( K cups) which I had changed to a generic store brand. However this morning I woke up fine and had 2 cups of a different brand only to find the feelings returning. Has anyone had changes to their reactions over time? This is concerning because it feels like an allergic reaction of some kind. Since everyone is mentioning drip makers I am wondering if there is a problem with K cups or simply preference.
Hi Debbie,
Thanks for your comment. I really have no idea, unless something in the k cups or coffee maker itself has nickel or another potential allergen that you may have become oversensitized to the more you used that product. Could it also be something else? I hope you’re well.
Warm regards,
Christy
Looking for a nickel free coffee . Can you Suggest a brand . Many thanks .
Hi Joyce,
I’m not aware of any “nickel free” coffee as this post describes. I currently have been enjoying the Costco Kirkland brand ground coffee that is medium roast.
Warm regards,
Christy
Do you know if the new Mushroom coffees like Ryze are safe for people with nickle allergies? My adult daughter has a nickle allergy.
Hi Camille,
Thanks for your comment. Unfortunately I am not familiar with that type of coffee. Has your daughter tried it?
Warm regards,
Christy
I drink a lot of coffee, a pot a day, but don’t make it strong. We installwd a water purifier 2 years ago, the water ptovider in our area had troubleIf with seepage into the pipes, and contaminated water. Bottled water was too expensive and the BPA thing intimidating.
I have coffee anywhere, but at home I use non dairy coffee Creamer but when I changed to half water half coffee. I noticed my digestive issues are almost gone.it could also be due to the addition of A2 milk to my diet
As a child I couldn’t wear any jewelry or watches with nickel in them. To this day, I can’t wear sterling silver either. Both make me break out in welts which disappear after a few days. I have just learned about nickel in food and It makes perfect sense to me. My gastroetymologist put me on a diet based on the types of sugar in fruits and vegetables. Most of the vegetables high in nickel are no nos , when I eat them I have issues. Nothing was mentioned about coffee though. I use a Black and Decker coffee maker with a reusable filter, which I empty and clean when full. But I put a paper filter on the outside of it to collect micro particles. I add, about 2 tbsp. of coffee to 2 qts of water. My coffee brands are either Folgers medium roast or Maxwell house breakfast or medium, whichever is on sale. Hopefully this information helps.
I drink a lot of coffee, a pot a day, but don’t make it strong. We installed a water purifier 2 years ago, the water provider in our area had trouble with seepage into the pipes, and contaminated water. Bottled water was too expensive and the BPA thing intimidating.
I drink coffee anywhere, but at home I use non dairy coffee Creamer but when I changed to half water half coffee. I noticed my digestive issues are almost gone. It could also be due to the addition of A2 milk to my diet
As a child I couldn’t wear any jewelry or watches with nickel in them. To this day, I can’t wear sterling silver either. Both make me break out in welts which disappear after a few days. I have just learned about nickel in food and It makes perfect sense to me. My gastroetymologist put me on a diet based on the types of sugar in fruits and vegetables. Most of the vegetables high in nickel are no nos , when I eat them I have issues. Nothing was mentioned about coffee though. I use a Black and Decker coffee maker with a reusable filter, which I empty and clean when full. But I put a paper filter on the outside of it to collect micro particles. I add, about 2 tbsp. of coffee to 2 qts of water. My coffee brands are either Folgers medium roast or Maxwell house breakfast or medium, whichever is on sale.