Sustainable Coffee

A Superior Choice for Java Enthusiasts

By Julie Gengo, HealthWalk™ Marketing Coordinator

Ah, that aromatic smell of brewing coffee has opened the eyes of many people around the world. Whether it is that first morning cup, mid-day brew or after dinner drink, coffee's flavors and uses have had an impact on the health of its drinkers as well as the well-being of the planet.

The health benefits of consuming coffee have been controversial and perhaps difficult to determine. A recent study conducted by Autonoma University in Madrid highlighted the possibility of reducing the risks of developing heart disease, especially for women, when drinking up to six cups of coffee per day. Coffee also contains large amounts of anti-oxidants, which are known to prevent disease.

The many more commonly known adverse affects of drinking coffee may include its contributions to blocked arteries, adrenal stress and acid and toxic buildup in the liver. Equally important to remember is that coffee should not be used as a consistent substitution for sleep deprivation as insufficient sleep is linked to numerous health issues. can pose a serious hindrance in achieving optimal health.

There may be other hidden concerns of drinking coffee which include the use of vast amounts of pesticides used in large-scale coffee farms. Pesticides are poisons that pose dangerous long term risk to human health and the environment. Other issues include labor abuse/stress and habitat/biodiversity destruction.

With the first known cultivation dating back to the ninth century in the highlands of Ethiopia, coffee has since become a very lucrative global commodity. Big corporations have industrialized its production and in turn removed the natural habitat for cultivation and replaced it with large-scale factory coffee farms.

For java enthusiasts everywhere, you do have a choice: Organic, Fair Trade Certified™, shade-grown coffee provide a positive option for your health and the environment.

• Organic Coffee: Does not use synthetic pesticides and fertilizers that pollute our bodies, watersheds, soil and air. Organic coffee has the reputed bonus of enhanced flavor and aroma and oftentimes, increased antioxidants. Organic coffee is also grown under shade trees, which retains and supports the natural eco-balance and positively impacts the environment.
• Fair Trade Certified™ Coffee: Although all Fair Trade coffee is not certified organic, this practice does require strict environmental stewardship including prohibiting the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the most toxic pesticides. It also sets labor and trade standards that ensures that small-farmers secure a guaranteed price above conventional market rates.
• Shade Grown Coffee: Coffee grown under shade trees help maintain bio-diversity. The trees provide a rich habitat for birds that in turn provide a natural form of pesticide. Many shade birds flock to organic coffee farms, as their tropical habitats have been lost to deforestation. This helps prevent extinction of species. The fallen leaves from the trees also nourish and purify the soil preventing water contamination.

Another wonderful way to improve your garden and support sustainability is to compost your coffee grounds. High in nitrogen content, the grounds will break down into nutrient-dense soil that you can use for planting organic flowers, vegetables and plants.

So if you choose to have that cup of brew, make a choice that supports a healthy difference for you and the environment.