As part of a well balanced diet, coffee can boost energy levels and provide health benefits. Its high antioxidant content can protect against many unwanted conditions, including heart disease and stroke.
Energize body and soul with this USDA Organic & Fair Trade blend that supports farmers and their communities. Fortified with whole organic nutrients for healthy energy, like revitalizing maca, guarana and cordyceps mushrooms.
Caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant found in coffee, tea, chocolate and some alternative herbal products such as guarana and yerba mate. It works by stimulating the central nervous system, heart and muscles, as well as the centers that control blood pressure. For most healthy adults, up to 400 mg of caffeine per day is probably safe. However, large doses of caffeine can cause insomnia, anxiety, restlessness, jitters and high blood pressure.
The methylxanthine in caffeine stimulates your brain and nervous system, which makes you feel more awake. It also enhances memory, improves focus and concentration, and increases your energy levels, which can boost athletic performance. Several studies suggest that caffeine can help prevent Type 2 diabetes, liver disease and certain cancers, as well as reduce the risk of neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.
Compared to conventionally grown coffee, organically-grown beans contain less of the harmful chemicals that can be found in regular coffee. This means that the beans are not only better for you but also the farmers who grow them. Most importantly, when you buy organic, you are helping to protect the environment as well as the health and livelihood of the coffee farmers who live in regions where this is an important industry.
Because Organic coffee is shade-grown, the trees provide a canopy that prevents soil erosion and requires far fewer synthetic fertilizers than conventional farming methods. This has a significant impact on biodiversity, particularly as the native trees are left intact, rather than being cleared for cultivation.
Because caffeine blocks adenosine receptors in your brain, it stops adenosine from inhibiting sleep, which can increase your alertness and energy level. This might explain why it’s so popular for improving focus and performance, but it can also contribute to feelings of anxiety or depression in some people. In addition, it can increase your risk for glaucoma by causing fluid retention in the eye tissues. Finally, it may interfere with your ability to control your bladder and can cause irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are molecules that help reduce the number of free radicals in the body. They can be found in a variety of foods and beverages, including coffee. However, the antioxidant activity of coffee varies depending on where it was grown and how it was roasted. Organically sourced coffee beans contain many beneficial antioxidants, such as chlorogenic acid and flavonoids. These compounds can improve blood glucose control and reduce inflammation, among other benefits.
The antioxidant properties of coffee can be assessed using different chemical and enzymatic assays. For example, the DPPH assay is used to evaluate coffee components that can scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS). This assay uses a stable chromogen, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), to simulate ROS and measure their scavenging ability. The assay measures the decrease in absorption readings on a UV-visible spectrophotometer. The antioxidant capacity of the sample is then calculated based on the amount of DPPH scavenged by the compound under study.
A newer assay that assesses antioxidants against a wide range of free radicals is the total ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) assay. The assay evaluates five major types of free radicals in the human body: hydroxyl (HO), peroxyl (ORAC), superoxide anion (SOAC), nitrate/NO (NORAC) and lipid oxidation (lipid peroxidation assay, LPO).
In addition to assessing the antioxidant capacity of the samples under test, the ORAC assay also measures phenolic compounds. These are important in determining the protective effect against lipid oxidation. A newer method to quantify phenolics in coffee involves gel-filtration chromatography and spectrophotometry. This method separates the compounds based on their molecular weight, and is more sensitive than traditional HPLC methods.
To evaluate the antioxidant potential of coffee, researchers examined twelve Arabica and Robusta coffees from different points of origin, roasting level, and brewing procedure. The coffees included Uganda, Papua, Jamaica, Ethiopia, Kenya, Colombia, “Caracolillo” Puerto Rico, Colombia decaffeinated and two decaffeinated from Colombia and Brazil, as well as three commonly used extraction methods (espresso, filter, Italian). The results showed that all coffees tested were very effective in scavenging lipoperoxyl and OH radicals. Filter and Italian coffees were more efficient in protecting linoleic acid against oxidation than espresso coffees.
Heart Health
Coffee lovers may rejoice at the news that a moderate amount of this favorite beverage may reduce the risk of heart disease. Specifically, researchers found that people who drank three to five cups of coffee a day had a lower chance of developing coronary artery disease than those who didn’t drink coffee at all. Additionally, the research showed that drinking coffee could also reduce the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, gallstones and Parkinson’s disease.
The scientists behind this study looked at 201 meta-analyses on observational studies and 17 on interventional research. They found that moderate coffee consumption was associated with a range of health benefits, including a reduced risk for diabetes, depression and Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, the research showed that consuming two to four cups of coffee per day was linked to a lower risk for Parkinson’s disease, and a decreased likelihood of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.
Another benefit of coffee is the antioxidant-rich compounds that it contains. These compounds can protect against chronic inflammation and help lower blood pressure. In fact, a preclinical study on green coffee bean extract suggested that it can positively affect blood vessels and lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the short term.
While more research is needed, the results of this latest study suggest that a diet rich in coffee and other antioxidants can play an important role in preventing certain health conditions. If you choose to enjoy coffee as part of your healthy lifestyle, consider selecting organic options to ensure the beans were grown without pesticides or herbicides.
BareOrganics Cardio Care Coffee with Superfoods is USDA Certified Organic and Fair Trade, and compatible with most single serve and Keurig K-Cup brewers (excluding 2.0). This coffee is made with Arabica beans from Nicaragua and is blended with turmeric, ginger and cinnamon to support heart health. This delicious, energizing cup of coffee is sure to give your morning the boost you need to power through your busy day.
Brain Health
In addition to preventing heart disease and protecting the body from cancer, organic coffee offers cognitive benefits. It has been shown to boost mental clarity, focus and memory recall. This is thanks to the anti-inflammatory effects of polyphenols and the antioxidants it contains that help prevent the oxidation of brain cells. Studies have also found that consuming coffee regularly can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
This cognitive-boosting coffee blend by BareOrganics features low acid, medium roast beans that are free from chemicals and pesticides. It is fortified with a blend of whole organic nutrients including lion’s mane mushrooms, gingko biloba, ashwagandha and cinnamon to enhance cognition. It is free of added sugar and sweeteners and is made with fair trade ingredients.
Unlike conventional, highly processed coffee, this cold brew features low acidity for a smoother mouthfeel and is certified organic and gluten-free. It is made from 100% arabica beans and infused with brain-boosting ingredients. The combination of caffeine and theanine supports energy levels while improving focus, concentration and memory recall. The mushroom blend includes lion’s mane, cordyceps and reishi to improve cognitive function. It is perfect for a variety of diets and is dairy-free, vegan and paleo.
Another coffee with nootropics, this dark-roast mix by Four Sigmatic is boosted with an organic blend of mushrooms including chaga and reishi to improve cognitive functions. It is suitable for a number of diets including vegan, paleo and ketogenic.
It contains a proprietary mushroom blend of lion’s mane, chaga and reishi to increase cognitive function. It has a balanced blend of amino acids and is certified organic, vegan and gluten-free.
London Nootropics launched in January 2020 with a vision to make functional plants and mushrooms accessible through coffee. Their brain boosting coffees are available in three different blends – mojo is said to support strength and endurance, zen is claimed to combat stress and flow claims to aid focus. They use high-quality Arabica coffee and source their ingredients from small farms. Their coffees are third-party tested for mycotoxins, heavy metals, yeast and mold.