We all know that sustainability, health and the environment are connected. When we do something good for ourselves we are more empowered to help other people and the planet. And it feels good too, right? Awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle is on the rise.

With Matcha green-tea chai lates and Açaí breakfast bowls all the rage for their amazing health benefits, it may not be a surprise to find out that coffee was first described as a medicine. Yes, that’s right. And the science backs it up. After reading this article - the always humble, freshly ground black coffee may become as treasured as your daily multivitamin pill.

The earliest writings about coffee were by a Persian doctor, with the very long name, Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Zakariya El Razi, also known as Rhazes or Razi for short.

Over his lifetime, between 850–922 A.D, he wrote more than 200 books on medicine. He described coffee as ‘dry and very good for the stomach.’ Two hundred years later, in 1000 A.D., the medicinal properties of coffee were expanded upon by another Persian doctor and philosopher Avicenna Bukhara who wrote that coffee “fortifies the members, cleans the skin, and dries up the humidities that are under it and gives an excellent smell to all the body.’ While some of these initial observations about coffee may not have stood the test of time, there have been thousands of studies on the health benefits of coffee since then. So what do we know about the medicinal and health benefits of coffee today?

1. Freshly Ground Coffee is Better

According to the National Coffee Association of the United States, ‘fresh-roasted coffee is essential to a quality cup’. And the research backs this up. Drinking pre-ground coffee contains more free radicals than freshly ground, which can contribute to oxidative stress and inflammation in the body. In other words, the freshness of the coffee is directly proportionate to the benefit. Not only that, freshly ground coffee has a stronger aroma and tastes better. Another reason to enjoy your Moriondo monthly coffee subscription which brings freshly ground roasted coffee beans directly to your cup.

2. Freshly Ground Coffee is Packed with Antioxidants

Coffee is high in antioxidants which are important for optimal health as they prevent cells from being oxidized by toxins, chemicals (oxidative stress leads to chronic disease) and inflammation (including arthritis, atherosclerosis and many types of cancer). In fact, coffee shows more antioxidant activity than green tea and cocoa, with hundreds more antioxidants developed during the roasting process.

One antioxidant, chlorogenic acid, which is found almost exclusively in coffee, is also thought to help prevent cardiovascular disease. In addition, coffee contains small quantities of B vitamins, magnesium, and potassium which quickly add up with each cup consumed. In fact, one study found that in Western societies, the greatest contributor to the total antioxidant intake was none other than coffee.

3. Coffee is Good for Mental Health

Yeah! This is a good one. Coffee not only tastes delicious but it also enhances your brain’s ability to deal with neurodegenerative diseases. Several studies have shown that people who consume coffee routinely are less likely to suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. It can also reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease by a whopping 32 - 80%.

Part of the effect of coffee can be explained by an increase in metabolic functions which gives a major boost to brain performance. Coffee also contains the stimulant caffeine, which can lead to improved memory, alertness, mood, energy, and vigilance.

Another study by the Harvard School of Public Health found that women who consume four to five cups of coffee every day are more likely to stay active and happy throughout the day with a decreased incidence of depression when compared to those who drink less than one cup of coffee a day. All of these benefits make the convenience of a workplace coffee machine a no brainer for that next daily dose of brain-empowering goodness. 

4. Coffee is Linked to Longer Life

Recent research suggests that people who drink two to three cups of coffee a day, whether caffeinated or not, may have a lower chance of dying from certain illnesses compared to people who do not drink coffee.

Over 16 years, the study followed more than 500,000 people in 10 European countries. Coffee-drinkers showed signs of having healthier livers and circulatory systems, as well as lower levels of inflammation. Another study in Spain involving 20,000 participants, found that drinking four cups of coffee per day led to a 64% lower risk of premature death compared to non-coffee drinkers.

A review of 40 studies including 3,852,651 subjects and 450,256 causes of death, confirms the findings from these studies. Researchers found that drinking coffee had an inverse association with all-cause mortality ‘irrespective of age, overweight status, alcohol drinking, smoking status, and caffeine content of coffee’. In addition to a longer life, the review found that coffee consumption reduced the risk of developing and dying from cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes or respiratory disease. Wow, coffee really packs a punch.

5. How Much Coffee is Too Much?

Is it possible to drink too much coffee?

There is no conclusive answer to his question, mostly because everyone has a different biological make-up and varying tolerance to caffeine. As a general rule of thumb, most studies consider that around four to five cups of coffee per day are associated with positive health benefits.

However, it is best to exercise caution if you have any anxiety, panic disorders, heart arrhythmia, high blood pressure or any other health issue that may not respond favorably to caffeine.

So, it seems that coffee is a sort of medicine after all. Next time you want to do something healthy for your mind and body, it can be as simple as enjoying a cup of freshly ground coffee. The aroma and delicious flavor of coffee are also synonymous with boosting brain power and living a longer and healthier life.

Of course, the fresher the coffee, the bigger the health benefit. That’s why Moriondo developed the sustainable bean-to-cup coffee system with optimal freshness and health in mind. Why not get in touch to start enjoying the health-enhancing benefits of freshly ground coffee in your workplace now. You won’t regret it.