Coffee Tops the Charts as America’s Best Source of Antioxidants

Miriam Gubovicova
Author: Miriam Gubovicova
Coffee Tops the Charts as America’s Best Source of Antioxidants
You might be missing the best source of antioxidants available right under your nose.

Despite the veggie-centric perception of antioxidants, coffee is actually the number one source of disease-fighting antioxidants in what Americans eat and drink daily according to USDA research, beating out fruits and vegetables.

That mug filled with steaming dark nectar you reach for each morning contains a lot more than eye-opening caffeine. And you’re about to find out how coffee beats fruits and veggies when it comes to being good sources of antioxidants.

Coffee contains many healthy compounds like nutrients, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties, making it one of the healthiest beverages around – if not the healthiest. Coffee owes its supreme antioxidant capacity to a group of polyphenol compounds called chlorogenic acids. These bitter substances fight off harmful free radicals, reduce inflammation, and help control metabolism. A study from Spain found one serving of espresso contained more antioxidant capacity than 3 oranges or 1 1⁄2 glasses of red wine.

a hand picking coffee beans

Drinking coffee regularly is associated with living longer

With coffee’s impressive antioxidant strength, regular coffee drinkers often live longer than those who don’t, according to several population studies.

Drinking 2-3 cups of coffee daily was linked to the biggest drop in early death compared to non-coffee drinkers. Ground coffee cut the risk by 27%, decaf by 14%, and instant by 11%.

Drinking more coffee alone won’t make you live longer, but the special compounds in it might help slow down ageing at the cellular level. Having just a few cups each day seems to bring some real benefits.

But keep in mind, a plain cup of coffee, maybe with a splash of milk, is quite different from a big latte with syrup and cream added.

Coffee lowers the risk of chronic diseases in general

Apart from helping you live longer, coffee also decreases the chances of getting almost every major disease that can shorten your life, like type 2 diabetes, heart problems, stroke, liver and colorectal cancers, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, depression, and many others. The list is pretty impressive:

  • Read more – Drinking 6+ cups daily cuts risk up to 67%
  • Read more – Just 2-3 cups daily lower risk 40%
  • Read more – Coffee lowers the risk of dementia by up to 60% for regular drinkers
  • Read more – 4 cups daily lower risk by 15%

No pharmaceutical performs as well as coffee across such a wide spectrum of chronic diseases that can rob us of both quality and length of life. It’s hard to find a more powerful tool in nutrition.

coffee beans being roasted

The benefits extend to decaf coffee too

The benefits aren’t just due to caffeine. Even in studies focusing on decaf coffee drinkers, lower risks of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cirrhosis, Parkinson’s disease, and more were still observed.

This indicates that other antioxidant plant compounds abundant in coffee like chlorogenic acids and quinides are also potent protectors. The combination of these substances is likely a big reason why coffee is so good at preventing diseases.

So go ahead and enjoy decaf coffee guilt-free, knowing it actively protects your health, although it offers slightly fewer benefits than regular coffee. For more information on healthy decaf options, check out the article here.

Coffee offers more than just a morning boost

Coffee is often simplified to just its caffeine kick. However, there are over 1,000 active compounds in coffee, aside from caffeine, that offer a range of holistic benefits beyond just waking you up.

Here are some of coffee’s scientifically-validated benefit beyond providing energy:

  • Improves insulin sensitivity – Better blood sugar regulation cuts diabetes risk
  • Stimulates mitochondria – Increases cellular energy production
  • Fortifies neurotransmitters – Boosts motivation, vigilance, mood
  • Regulates cortisol – Helps maintain optimal stress response
  • Protects the liver – Lowers risk of fibrosis, cirrhosis, cancer
  • Preserves DNA – Reduces DNA damage and mutations

Clearly coffee is far more than an addictive stimulant – it’s a complex mix of chemicals designed to improve health and slow down ageing.

Quality coffee maximizes benefits and minimizes adverse effects

Not all coffee is equal in terms of health effects. Cheap, low-grade coffee is more likely to contain mold, pesticides, acrylamides, PAHs, and oxidized lipids, which can have adverse impacts on health.

Investing in high-quality specialty coffee brings rewards. Certified organic, gently roasted, promptly shipped beans ensure each satisfying cup overflows with nourishment, never contaminants.

The health benefits of coffee rely on careful sourcing, meticulous roasting, and proper handling. But do it right and coffee becomes the ultimate nutritional co-conspirator.

a cup of coffee on a white bedsheet

Coffee supports sustainable agriculture and communities

Lastly, coffee can do more than just benefit your health. When produced ethically, it helps support rural development and sustainable land management practices. 

Shade-grown coffee protects bird habitats and helps absorb carbon. Fair trade programs also direct resources to impoverished communities.

But the industry still has a long way to go. Seek out roasters who prioritize full traceability and support farmers. Every purchase we make can help promote regenerative coffee cultivation.

As you enjoy your morning cup, consider it a symbol of health for your body, community, and the land. When produced responsibly, coffee nourishes us from the inside out. Here’s to raising each cup with gratitude for its healing potential.

Don’t overlook the remarkable benefits of coffee just because it’s so familiar. No medicine should be as accessible, affordable, and yet as utterly underappreciated for improving and extending life.

Let coffee reclaim its proper spot at your table—not just as a morning pick-me-up, but as a powerful elixir offering vitality, purpose, and longevity. 

Take a fresh look at your cup of coffee and enjoy the benefits

Research proves that coffee is more than just a caffeine drink. It is a true superfood that can help keep you well and fight off sickness.

You must choose your coffee wisely to maximize the benefits. Seek out specialty-grade coffees like Purity Coffee that put in extra effort to deliver an optimal cup:

  • Sourced from sustainable, regenerative farms – This supports rural development and ecological farming.
  • Organic and shade grown – No pesticides or harmful chemicals.
  • Gently roasted in small batches – Retains antioxidants and prevents acrylamide formation.
  • Promptly shipped – Stays fresh with less staling and oxidation.
  • Rigorously tested – Makes sure no molds or mycotoxins are present.

When every step from growing to brewing is done with great care, you can be sure your coffee is packed with health benefits and free from any hidden harms.

four bags of Purity coffee

If you want to learn more about the fascinating science of using coffee as preventive medicine, be sure to listen to our podcast interview with Andrew Salisbury, Founder and CEO of Purity Coffee. Andrew is a wealth of knowledge on maximizing the health benefits of your daily cup. Andrew shared a discount code for you to experience all the health benefits with Purity coffee: Use code “HEALTHYHOMES20” to get 20% off your purchase.

Now we must let coffee reclaim its sacred place in our homes and rituals as so much more than a routine stimulant. Only then will we reap its full spectrum of body, mind and spirit nourishing properties. The choice is ours.