Starting your day right with a cup of coffee can give your mind and energy an added boost, and can help suppress appetite. But is this truly the optimal beverage choice? To take it one step further, why not consider organic coffee – grown without synthetic chemicals to reduce pollution and soil erosion while providing farmers with additional income that they can invest back into their farming communities.

Organic coffee is grown on land that was free from synthetic pesticides or other banned substances for at least three years prior to labeling as organic, meaning the soil becomes rich in nutrients and disease resistance, with reduced carbon dioxide emissions that help sustain healthy ecosystems and minimize carbon dioxide emissions. Some organic coffee varieties are even shade-grown so as to maintain the surrounding forest habitat as well as local bird populations living there.

Organic coffee’s higher cost stems from its extra steps required to maintain its organic certification. Organic certification requires meeting stringent environmental, soil and grower health protection regulations – methods which may prove costly for small farms. Furthermore, in order to be labeled organic in the US market it must meet USDA standards regarding growth, processing and handling.

According to research from the University of Warsaw, organic coffee contains higher levels of phenolic acids and polyphenols than its non-organic counterpart, leading to smoother flavors than conventional varieties which often have bitter tastes that can be harsh on your stomach.

Though organic coffee may differ in taste, it’s worth giving it a try if you need an extra burst of energy. The chlorogenic acid present can support digestive health by helping regulate blood sugar and reduce inflammation; furthermore, increasing metabolism helps increase fat burning faster.

However, coffee’s caffeine can temporarily suppress appetite when mixed with milk and sugar, though its effects tend to be temporary; to protect your health and avoid potential risks from overconsumption it is wise to limit how much coffee you drink.

When purchasing organic coffee, always check its Fairtrade certification. This seal ensures that farmers receive fair pricing for their beans; especially important since large corporations may engage in “greenwashing,” charging consumers a higher price while failing to compensate their farmers fairly – this practice must end. Fairtrade certification also works towards treating workers humanely and fairly during production processes of coffee products.