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Does Organic Coffee Have Antioxidants?
Coffee may not be one of the more well-known sources of antioxidants, like berries, cloves or cocoa; but when it comes to liquid sources like tea soda or coffee drinks it becomes an effective source. A 2010 study discovered that people receive about 79% of their antioxidant intake through beverages such as tea soda or coffee beverages alone! Coffee also serves as one of the main sources of phenolic acids – powerful plant compounds known to reduce inflammation, stabilize free radicals and prevent neurodegeneration.
Coffee contains polyphenols such as chlorogenic acid and flavonoids, both known as phenolic acids that may help prevent type 2 diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers. Furthermore, coffee may help lower obesity risk, fight inflammation and slow the aging process.
A 2015 study demonstrated that organic coffee contains higher concentrations of beneficial compounds like trigonelline, known for its anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory effects. Furthermore, organic coffee had about 10% higher total phenolic acid content than conventional coffee.
Answering the question, does organic coffee contain antioxidants, is dependent upon how it is prepared and consumed. Roasting and brewing processes play a role in extracting more antioxidants from beans when light roasting is used as opposed to dark roasting; different brewing methods may increase or decrease polyphenols and chlorogenic acids that are produced during brewing processes.
Non-organic coffee may contain pesticide residues on its beans, which will then make their way into your cup. According to a 2022 narrative review from Lebanese American University, such pesticides include organophosphates, pyrethroids, and carbamates – while effective at eliminating pests, these harmful toxins also pose several health risks to farmers, such as depression, oxidative stress disorder, disrupted neurotransmitter function disruption and even death.
Unfortunately, when drinking organic coffee there’s no need to be concerned as its production doesn’t use synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. Unfortunately, however, a 2015 study concluded that both conventional and organic coffee contain mycotoxin contamination–mycotoxins like ochratoxin A and aflatoxins–but luckily a cup of well-brewed low acid coffee may contain enough antioxidants to counteract mycotoxin contamination.
Coffee may not be your only way of getting antioxidants every day–eating whole fruits and vegetables remains the ideal way. However, organic light roast and cold brew coffees offer healthy options when it comes to providing antioxidants without overdoing it on milk and sugar additions; just remember not to overdo it when adding too many of these elements as this could negate its benefits. Adding salt could further enhance flavor extraction of these antioxidants from your coffee brew!