There’s no denying the dominance of Starbucks in the coffee world. There are more than 23,187 Starbucks stores in 64 countries, which makes it the largest of all coffeehouse chains. Its annual sales stand at a staggering $14.9 billion and Howard Schultz (its CEO) has assets worth $1.6 billion.

All this may look great from a statistical point of view, but there is a question that lurks around. Does Starbucks offer healthy and high quality beverages and foods?

Here are 4 reasons why you wouldn’t want to go to Starbucks ever again.

1. There’s Nothing Healthy About It

Do you know that coffee beans is one of the most heavily sprayed (pesticides) of all the crops. Despite this fact, Starbucks uses only 1.1% of organic coffee. That’s so caring of you!

You may be thinking that Starbucks’ decaf coffee must be a great healthy choice. Don’t you? The truth is it’s also made from conventional coffee beans, which are also dripped in pesticides. That is not all – things get even worse!

If you are a decaf coffee fan, it is most likely that you don’t know that most of the conventionally decaffeinated coffee is made by soaking coffee beans in a highly toxic solution of solvents such as methylene chloride. It has been known to negatively affect the central nervous system. An alternative solvent used for this chemical is ethyl acetate, which is not only a poison to the central nervous system, it also harms your liver and kidneys.

The Organic Trade Association (OTA) claims that the process of decaffeination for organic coffee is safe and it doesn’t breach the organic standards.

Only 2 techniques are allowed which are in compliance with the federal organics standards:

1. SWISS WATER process s- a totally water based decaffeination process

2. Non-toxic CO2 (carbon dioxide) based process

Consumer Reports released a 2007 report that compared the coffees at the top fast foods chains. Surprisingly, McDonalds was ranked ahead of Starbucks. According to the publication, the coffee from Starbucks was not only strong, it was “burnt and bitter” – so much so that instead of keeping your eyes open, it would make your eyes water.

2. Conventional Milk

Starbucks sources its milk from factory farmed cows, which are also called concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). These kinds of cows are injected with high-level doses of antibiotics over their lifespan. They are fed GMO feed-based unhealthy diet that includes corn, alfalfa, cotton seed, and soy. The truth is that Big Dairy has Starbucks as one of its biggest supporters.

As per the Organic Consumers Association (OCA)’s 2011 report, Starbucks used more than 93 million gallons milk annually. That’s more than enough for filling 155 Olympic-level swimming pools. That’s from 2011 and both the company and its milk usage has grown since then.

In 2007, Starbucks was forced by the OCA to stop the use of Monsanto rBGH growth-hormone milk. But as with any clever corporation, Starbucks used OCA’s victory to run a deceitful advertising campaign claiming that since it was not longer using milk containing Monsanto’s rBGH growth hormone, it was using GMO-free milk.

3. Soy Milk

According to research, fermented soy is the only soy milk that’s healthy and good for human consumption. You shouldn’t fall for the word “organic.”

According to an article (Food Babe Investigates: Sabotaged at Starbucks), it is claimed that the Starbucks brand of soy milk has a dubious ingredient known as carrageenan. It seems like it’s harmless and natural, as it’s derived from seaweed.

Despite these claims, it is well known that this substance is capable of causing inflammation in the intestines. According to certain sources, it could also turn carcinogenic once it’s digested.

4. Arguable Ingredients

The costly junk food that Starbucks sells may have the following dubious ingredients:

– Refined flours which don’t have any essential nutrients.

– Sugars derived from chemically.

– Cheap and toxic oils such as corn, canola and soy.

– Cellulose gum which is wood pulp that can’t be digested.

– Propylene glycol, which is a petro based compound found in antifreeze.

– Azodicarbonamide, which is connected to asthma and is banned in so many countries.

– Sodium benzoate, which is commonly used in Starbucks’ iced lemon pound cake.

Note:

– Most people don’t know that when ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and sodium benzoate combine, they form a cancer-causing agent which can destroy your DNA in the cells.

Using deception, Starbucks food products continue to have growth hormones that have been found to be carcinogens and have been connected to prostate and breast cancer and what more!