Coffee is more than just a morning pick-me-up. At Ultimate Treat, we’ve discovered that the benefits of coffee plants extend far beyond your daily brew.
From its rich nutritional profile to sustainable applications, coffee plants offer many health, wellness, and environmental advantages. In this post, we’ll explore these diverse benefits and show why coffee plants deserve recognition beyond their role in your favourite beverage.
What’s Inside Your Coffee Cup?
A Vitamin and Mineral Goldmine
Coffee plants pack a nutritional punch that extends far beyond caffeine. Your daily cup of joe contains significant amounts of essential nutrients. Coffee provides up to 11% of the recommended daily intake of riboflavin (vitamin B2), which plays a key role in energy metabolism. It also contains pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), manganese, potassium, and magnesium.
Antioxidant Superstar
Coffee is incredibly high in antioxidants, surpassing both fruits and vegetables combined. These potent compounds (chlorogenic and caffeic acids) combat inflammation and protect cells from damage. Research links regular coffee consumption to lower risks of several chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and liver disease.
Coffee vs. Other Beverages
When it comes to health benefits, coffee outperforms many popular drinks. While green tea receives praise for its antioxidant content, coffee contains up to four times more antioxidants. Sports drinks, often marketed as health boosters, can’t compete with coffee’s natural nutrient profile.
Mushroom-Infused Coffee: A Step Further
Some innovative coffee blends take these benefits even further. For example, Ultimate Treat infuses organic coffee with Chaga and Lion’s Mane mushrooms. This combination creates a beverage that may reduce anxiety and improve immunity. These adaptogenic mushrooms complement coffee’s natural benefits, providing an extra boost to your daily routine.
The Power of Every Sip
The nutritional profile of coffee plants explains why this beverage has remained a staple for centuries. It’s not just about the taste or the caffeine—it’s about nourishing your body with every sip. Your next cup of coffee (especially if it’s a mushroom-infused blend) will feed your body with essential nutrients.
As we explore the health benefits of coffee, it becomes clear that its impact extends far beyond just waking us up in the morning. Now, focus on how coffee affects our brain function and overall health.
Coffee’s Hidden Health Perks
Sharpening Your Mind
Coffee consumption enhances cognitive function. A study revealed that 3-5 cups of coffee daily at midlife was associated with a decreased risk of dementia/AD by about 65% in late life. This protective effect stems from coffee’s high antioxidant content and ability to enhance brain function.
For an immediate cognitive boost, drink a cup of coffee 30 minutes before a challenging mental task. Caffeine peaks in your bloodstream at this time, potentially improving your focus and problem-solving abilities.
Guarding Against Chronic Diseases
Coffee significantly impacts long-term health. The American Heart Association reports that one to two cups of coffee daily may reduce heart failure risk by 30%. A large-scale study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that coffee drinkers had lower mortality rates from various causes, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
Choose NON-GMO black coffee to maximize these protective effects or add minimal natural sweeteners. Avoid high-calorie coffee drinks loaded with sugar and cream (these can negate some of coffee’s health benefits).
Boosting Physical Performance
Athletes and fitness enthusiasts benefit from coffee’s performance-enhancing properties. Research published in the Journal of Applied Physiology showed that caffeine consumption before exercise increases endurance and reduces perceived exertion. This means you might work out harder and longer with a pre-workout coffee.
For optimal results, drink a cup of black coffee about an hour before your workout. This timing allows caffeine to reach peak levels in your bloodstream as you begin exercising.
Moderation is Key
While these benefits impress, moderation remains essential. The FDA recommends limiting caffeine intake to 400mg daily (roughly 4-5 cups of coffee) to avoid side effects like jitters or sleep disturbances.
Enhanced Benefits with Mushroom-Infused Coffee
Some coffee blends take these health benefits further. For instance, mushroom coffee brands claim to offer improved mental and physical performance, better immunity, and more restful sleep. However, these claims are still being researched and evaluated.
As we explore the versatility of coffee plants, we discover that their benefits extend beyond the cup. Let’s now examine how coffee plants contribute to sustainability and offer innovative applications in various industries.
How Coffee Plants Benefit the Environment
Coffee plants offer more than just a delicious beverage. They provide a wealth of sustainable possibilities that benefit our environment and daily lives.
Upcycling Coffee Cherries
Coffee cherry flour revolutionizes the food industry. This gluten-free, nutrient-dense flour comes from the often-discarded fruit surrounding coffee beans. Gram for gram, it has more iron than fresh spinach and more fibre than whole grain wheat flour. Bakeries incorporate it into bread and pastries, adding a subtle fruity flavour and boosting nutritional value. Home bakers can experiment by substituting 10-20% of regular flour with coffee cherry flour in their favourite recipes.
TAKE NOTE TEA LOVERS: Sipping on Coffee Leaf Tea
Coffee-leaf tea (cascara) has gained popularity for its unique properties. This beverage made from coffee plant leaves could have health benefits comparable to green coffee beans due to similar concentrations of compounds. Brew coffee leaf tea like regular tea and steep for 3-5 minutes in hot water for a refreshing, slightly sweet drink with earthy notes.
From Grounds to Garden
Used coffee grounds become a gardener’s secret weapon. They add nitrogen to the soil, improving plant growth. They also deter pests like slugs and snails. Mix one part coffee grounds with three parts garden soil for a nutrient-rich potting mix. For acid-loving plants (like blueberries or azaleas), sprinkle grounds directly around the base of the plant.
Coffee grounds also make an excellent addition to compost piles. They help balance the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, speeding up decomposition. Add no more than 20% coffee grounds to your compost to maintain the right balance.
Beauty Benefits of Brews
The beauty industry taps into coffee’s potential, too. The caffeine in coffee grounds can temporarily reduce the appearance of cellulite and improve circulation when used as a body scrub. Create a simple DIY scrub by mixing equal parts coffee grounds and coconut oil. Gently massage onto damp skin in circular motions, then rinse off for smoother, more radiant skin.
These sustainable uses of coffee plants showcase their versatility beyond our morning cup. They reduce waste and maximize the potential of this incredible plant.
Final Thoughts
Coffee plants offer numerous benefits beyond our morning cup. Their impressive nutritional profile and potential health-boosting properties make them true powerhouses. Coffee consumption enhances cognitive function, protects against chronic diseases, and improves physical performance.
The benefits of coffee plants extend to sustainability efforts in remarkable ways. Coffee cherry flour provides a nutrient-dense baking alternative, while coffee leaf tea offers a unique beverage option. Used coffee grounds find new life in gardens and beauty products, reducing waste and maximizing the plant’s potential.
We encourage you to explore the full potential of coffee plants beyond your daily brew. Consider incorporating coffee cherry flour into your baking or trying coffee leaf tea for a refreshing change. For those seeking to combine the traditional benefits of coffee with innovative health boosters, Ultimate Treat offers a premium organic coffee blend infused with Chaga and Lion’s Mane mushrooms. Adventure your taste buds with benefits!
