Coffee that’s Good for You and Good for the Environment

SO NEW research released by the American College of Cardiology suggests drinking three cups of coffee a day protects you from heart issues but the many benefits of the world’s most popular beverage don’t stop there! From an increased sense of wellbeing to a much-needed boost to energy levels and overall alertness, it’s easy to see why a daily brew is a ritual many of us cannot live without. Past studies have even shown that coffee in moderation (that’s four to five cups per day), can in fact offer a potent blend of physical health benefits with evidence proving that coffee can help:

• keep dementia at bay, reduce the risk of developing heart disease, Parkinson’s, and liver cancer and protect against type 2 Diabetes.
• mop up free radicals in our blood therefore reducing cell damage thanks to the powerful concoction of antioxidants it contains, particularly black coffee. In fact an American study found coffee to be the leading source of dietary antioxidants, contributing more than fruit and vegetables combined! So you could in fact say a good brew is in fact better for you than a green smoothie!
• us stay hydrated and can be counted as part of our daily water requirement (as long as it doesn’t contain over 550mg of caffeine).
• enhance athletic performance, acting as a natural stimulant to enable sportsman to train harder and for a greater period of time. It has also been linked to a faster metabolism and reduced muscle pain.
• improve performance in cognitive tasks, promoting a positive impact upon the brain’s emotive state so you can think more clearly, for longer. So go ahead and take that coffee break!

On a more psychological level, the social element of sitting down with friends and family to enjoy a cup of coffee offers us the feel-good factor whilst also providing us a moment of calm amid the chaos of life – an often mindful experience in which we take the time to savour the aromas, emerging flavours and warmth of the brew leaving us feeling better ready to face the rigours of the day. There is now a host of speciality coffee brands now available to have in the comfort of your own home, many of whom boast good environmental and ethical credentials as well. One of these is Volcano Coffee Works, an independent company producing speciality roasts at their Brixton based roastery. Their vision is to provide the best coffee from around the world As well as ground coffee, they produce coffee pods that are 100% biodegradable and fully-compostable, disintegrating in just 150 days, so you can easily recycle them through green waste collection, your own composting or the standard rubbish bin. Compatible with any pod machine, they are available in three expressions, Bold Morning Shot, Balanced All Day and Reserve Rich Sweet.

Which coffee for you?

BOLD Morning Shot – Featuring an intense cocoa body this Colombian coffee is the ideal way to kickstart your morning! £19.80 for 32 pods BALANCED All Day – This Brazilian coffee's mild nutty body is perfect for any time of day and deliciously sweet with milk! £19.80 for 32 pods RESERVE Rich Sweet - The toffee sweetness of this Nicaraguan coffee makes it a great option for a super satisfying everyday treat! £23.80 for 32 pods Ordering a subscription with them is easy, simply choose how often you want the coffee to be sent; then tell them how you like your brew; finally, checkout and wait for it to be delivered direct to your door! Volcano Coffee Works also focus on the ethical side of coffee production. They are committed to working with small farmers around the world and their coffee-growing communities to increase the quality and hence the value of their product. They only work with partners and importers who actively engage in promoting sustainability and community-based improvements. And the end result for the consumer? A great tasting speciality roast which is both environmentally and ethically better! For further information please visit www.volcanocoffeeworks.com