Specialty Coffee: Is It Healthy For You? What Science Says.

Specialty Coffee: Is It Healthy for You?

As specialty coffee drinkers, we usually choose a  roast for its flavour characteristics, unique terroir, or compelling backstory - but coffee has many "unseen" benefits.

From its antioxidant composition, to its neuro and liver protective properties, coffee contains over 1,000 bioactive healthy compounds. This makes it, surprisingly, one of the healthiest components of the western diet.

The best part? Most of these benefits are still present for decaf drinkers.

Rich in Antioxidants

Coffee is a powerhouse of antioxidants. In short, antioxidants are "friendly" molecules that protect our bodies from cellular damage by neutralizing free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules missing an electron; they "steal" electrons from healthy DNA, proteins, and cell membranes.

Why does that matter? This causes Oxidative stress which creates a host of issues: premature aging of the skin and arteries, cell mutations, muscle loss, and a reduced metabolic rate.

Coffee is particularly rich in:

• Chlorogenic Acids: These reduce inflammation and improve insulin sensitivity for better blood sugar control.
• Melanoidins: Produced during the roasting process, these feed healthy bacteria in your gut, acting as a prebiotic.

Neuroprotective Properties

We all use coffee as a cognitive enhancer. Whether you’re delivering a quarterly report, studying for an exam, or clearing out your inbox - It's wonderful. But the benefits go deeper: coffee significantly reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other forms of dementia.

• Disease Prevention: Observational studies have shown that regular coffee consumption can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s later in life by up to 65%.
• Phenylindanes: These compounds, produced during roasting, help reduce the clumping of proteins in the brain that contribute to memory loss.
• Motor Skills: Coffee has been shown to help prevent the decline of motor skills associated with aging.

Liver & Heart Health

The combination of caffeine and the natural compounds in coffee produce positive effects on many organs, especially the liver and heart.

• Liver Protection: A key metabolite of caffeine called paraxanthine acts as a potent anti-inflammatory for the liver. It mitigates damage from alcohol, sugar, and toxins by slowing the growth of the connective tissue that leads to scarring (fibrosis).
• Enzyme Regulation: Coffee is proven to lower levels of harmful liver enzymes (ALT and AST), keeping your body's "filter" running smoothly and reducing the risk of liver cancer.
• Cardiovascular Support: While some fear the temporary increase in blood pressure from caffeine, coffee is actually cardioprotective. Rich in polyphenols and chlorogenic acids, coffee improves arterial elasticity and helps prevent calcium buildup. 

Metabolic Health & Type 2 Diabetes

Those same chlorogenic acids are also responsible for glucose regulation. They slow the breakdown of carbohydrates into sugars and make your tissues more sensitive to insulin. For better blood sugar regulation and the prevention of Type 2 diabetes, black coffee is a big win.

Specialty Coffee vs. Conventional Coffee

While we are advocates for drinking good coffee generally, specialty-grade coffee offers distinct health advantages over conventional, store-bought "commodity" coffee:

• Antioxidants are delicate: Chlorogenic acids are heat-sensitive. Specialty coffee focuses on lighter roast profiles and fresher beans, which preserve more of these antioxidants. Additionally, you are less likely to load your cup with sugar or heavy syrups when the coffee is already tasty.
• Quality & Mold Free: Specialty coffee undergoes a rigorous, standardized grading process by a Q-Grader to ensure all defective beans are removed. Stale, conventional coffees can contain fermented, moldy, and insect damaged beans. Toxins in poor coffee can cause brain fog, liver and kidney stress, and digestive issues like acid reflux.

The Bottom Line

Fresh Coffee = Fresh Compounds, because bioactive compounds degrade over time  Specialty Coffee offers some advantages over conventional coffee. In general, you will receive most of the above benefits from drinking regular coffee black (provided it's roasted somewhat fresh.) In our case, we guarantee delivery within five days and our green coffee is purchased seasonally for freshness!