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4 Health Benefits of Organic Coffee: Based on Science

Organic coffee

Did you know that conventional coffee is one of the most heavily chemically treated foods in the entire world? Just with that tidbit, you may already see that choosing organic coffee vs non-organic may have a larger impact than you thought.

In this article, we are going to go over the four biggest benefits of organic coffee – benefits to your health, to farmers, and to the world itself!

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Top 4 Organic Coffee Benefits

1. Organic Coffee is Grown Without Pesticides

coffee farmer picking cherry beans
Image Credit: musicphone, Shutterstock

There is a huge variety of synthetic chemicals used in non-organic farming like pesticides, fungicides, insecticides, and herbicides. And it is common knowledge by now that many chemicals of these types have been linked to a host of health concerns.

When food is grown using pesticides, the plant can pass these nasty chemicals into the fruits and vegetables themselves. And when we ingest those foods, we can accidentally be eating all manner of chemicals that we didn’t realize were present.

Even if you do your research, non-organic food companies are not legally bound to tell you what kinds of synthetic chemicals they use to grow their products.

Pesticides can also endanger the farmers and workers themselves. An organic certification means that you can trust that your beans have been grown with the health and well-being of the workers and customers in mind.


2. Organic Coffee Has more Nutrients Than Non-Organic

heart-shaped coffee beans in a person's palm
Image Credit: Kelly Sikkema, Unsplash

Due to the lack of synthetic chemicals added to the beans and nutrients in organic soil, organic coffee tends to have more vitamins and minerals than non-organic.

There aren’t a significant amount of macronutrients in coffee, but there are some micronutrients that most folks don’t get enough of in their diet. Notably, potassium, niacin, and magnesium. Though the amount is small, any extra sources of these vital minerals are helpful.

Organic coffee also contains trace amounts of vitamins B1, B2, B3, and B5. It’s hardly a miracle health beverage, but the less processed and chemically treated coffee beans are before they reach your cup, the better they are for you!


3. Organic Coffee Growing Methods are Better for Farmers

coffee bushes in a shade-grown organic coffee plantation on the western slopes of the Andes in Ecuador
Image Credit: Dr Morley Read, Shutterstock

Though the organic certification itself is expensive, most organic coffee farmers can charge more for their product because it is higher quality. That means they can pay their workers a better wage.

Many organic coffee growers are also compliant with fair trade standards. “Fair trade” means a business is devoted to environmental stewardship, individual and community well-being, and income sustainability.

SEE ALSO: What are the best Fair Trade coffee brands?

Organic growing methods may not have the highest yield of coffee beans, but the care and attention required to keep the soil fertile means that the yields are more consistent. A synthetic fertilizer may give one crop a huge boost, but they can also leach nutrients from the soil and leave it worse off.

And as mentioned earlier, no pesticides means there’s no danger of inhaling them! Farmers and their workers that use organic growing methods are not forced to handle poisons and pesticides for their job.


4. Organic Coffee Growing Methods are Better for the Communities and the Planet

coffee beans on the trees in farm at the morning with rain drop
Image Credit: May_Chanikran, Shutterstock

Organic coffee is grown without synthetic fertilizers or chemicals, and no pesticides or poisons. All of which makes for cleaner beans, land, water, and air.

Because when synthetic chemicals are used on plants it does not just affect the plants themselves. Those highly toxic substances get into the surrounding soil and water that nearby communities use to grow their own food.

Organic farming is also more eco-friendly in that it emits less carbon than chemical farming. Not only do organic farmers not buy chemicals that emit greenhouse gases in production and use, but practices like composting trap carbon in the soil and allows it to break down before entering the atmosphere.

Most conventionally grown coffee is grown in full sun, which means forests are cleared to make fields for the coffee trees. But organic coffee is overwhelmingly grown the natural way – in the shady, lush forests that provide homes and sustenance for indigenous plants, animals, and peoples.


Disadvantages of Organic Coffee

When it comes to health, quality, and eco-friendliness there really are no disadvantages to organic coffee. Your wallet, however, may have something else to say.

Organic coffee is often more expensive than non-organic brands. Those living in a multi-person, coffee-loving household may not want to expand their budget just for their caffeine boost.

But if you drink a moderate amount of coffee, chances are you won’t notice any extra squeeze put on your finances just by switching to organic.

If you really are on a tight budget but don’t want to compromise on the health benefits and growing methods, try a Vietnamese or South American brand. You can also seek out the easier to grow Robusta beans over the pricey and finicky Arabica.

Experiment with the cheaper organic bean options until you find the perfect coffee at the best price!divider 2

Final Thoughts on Organic Coffee

While you may not be an eco-warrior or health nut, it’s hard not to see how much better organic coffee is for you, the farmers, and the planet.

Happy caffeinating! We hope you enjoy your next cup of great coffee beans.

WORTH READING:


Featured Image Credit: Pixabay

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Dan Simms

Dan has been a coffee fanatic since caffeine became a necessity in college, and since then his enthusiasm has only grown. He has come a long way since his days of drinking mass-produced coffee, and he now has a love and appreciation of the entire coffee experience from farm to cup.

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