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Is Non Organic Coffee Bad For You?
Are You an Avid Coffee Drinker? Organic coffee offers both great taste and numerous health benefits; but is non organic coffee harmful for you?
Conventional coffee is among the world’s most heavily sprayed crops, exposing you to potentially toxic chemicals that may negatively affect nearly every part of your body and have long-term repercussions on health.
1. Pesticides and Herbicides
Conventional coffee crops are among the world’s most heavily chemically treated, often being exposed to pesticides, herbicides and fungicides that are applied liberally in order to ensure its survival and quality. Unfortunately, these chemicals then end up reaching consumers through coffee drinks such as your own and can cause all manner of health issues including respiratory ailments as well as digestive, neurological, dermatological and reproductive concerns – this is why choosing organic whenever possible should always be your goal.
Organic coffee differs from its conventionally produced counterpart in that it’s grown without using synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, and farmers who produce certified organic coffee must abide by stringent standards throughout the entire supply chain and manufacturing process in order to retain this certification.
Coffee beans are highly sensitive to their environment, so when non-organic farms spray harmful chemicals on their plants, those chemicals can easily leach into groundwater supplies and find their way into your cup of joe. Organically produced coffee, on the other hand, does not experience this issue as natural substances found within organic fertilizers and pesticides can penetrate much easier into each bean than their non-organic counterparts can.
These natural substances are much safer for the environment and farmers who work in fields, as they decompose quickly without leaving behind toxic residues. Furthermore, they pose no threats to local wildlife; encouraging an abundance of flora and fauna species to flourish in their surroundings.
Organic coffee farming uses much fewer resources than its conventional counterpart, as organic fertilizers like compost, coffee pulp and chicken manure are employed in their cultivation. This reduces carbon emissions from farms while simultaneously sequestering more carbon from our planet – an added plus!
When using pesticides or herbicides, it is imperative that they are administered according to their label’s instructions in order to use them appropriately and dispose of any leftovers in a responsible manner. Following these procedures can prevent contamination of water supplies as well as harm being done to humans and animals; to learn more, check out OSH Answers page on pesticide safety.
2. Genetically Modified Organisms
Conventionally grown coffee beans are heavily treated with pesticides and herbicides, leaving residue from these chemicals in your cup of joe. This can result in short-term health concerns such as fatigue and brain fog while longer term risks are more serious, including cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Switching to organic coffee may help mitigate some of these concerns as organic certification requires growers only use natural fertilizers such as compost and manure with non-synthetic organic substances for fertilization as well as no synthetic pesticides or herbicides used within three years of certification certification.
Genetically Modified Organises (GMOs) refers to plants, animals and microorganisms whose DNA has been modified through genetic engineering techniques. This technology creates hybridized genes which would not naturally occur and cannot be obtained via traditional breeding. GMOs are present in numerous foods today – from coffee beans to corn products.
Although opinions regarding GMOs remain divided, some doctors do believe they pose serious threats to human health and thus choose only organically grown products, including coffee.
Few consider coffee to be unhealthy beverage, yet it is essential to remember that coffee beans are actually seeds from fruits. As such, coffee bean cultivation involves intensive chemical usage that has lasting impacts both on human health and the environment.
Organic coffee is free from contaminants that pose health risks, so you can enjoy your morning brew without concern for health risks. However, its flavor differences between organic and non-organic coffee may differ depending on factors like bean origin, roast level and brewing method.
To ensure the perfect cup of coffee, opt for organic varieties. Fair Trade coffee supports sustainable farming practices while paying fair prices to farmers; typically these coffees will be labeled accordingly; otherwise do some research – many websites provide information on fair-trade brands.
3. Fertilizers and Chemicals
Conventional coffee farms use pesticides and fertilizers to increase production and protect beans from diseases, but these chemicals may seep into nearby bodies of water, poisoning its ecosystem. Organic beans on the other hand, are grown without these harmful substances that have the potential to cause respiratory ailments as well as cancer.
Organic farmers rely on more eco-friendly ways of fertilization and pest control, including compost, worm castings, and horse manure as fertilizers and pest control solutions. Not only are these methods better for the environment; they’re also healthier options for consumers consuming beans harvested through this organic farming practice.
Organic coffee purchases provide sustainable farming practices and improve the lives of farmworkers who harvest it. An estimated one third of conventionally produced coffee originates from areas with human rights violations like poor housing, unsafe working conditions or child labor – another reason to support organic growing practices and boost lives through buying organic.
Organic coffee provides you with assurance that its beans have not been exposed to harmful chemicals and were harvested under ethical conditions. Furthermore, many organic brands are Fair Trade certified, giving farmers a higher price for their product while providing better living and working conditions as well as opportunities.
Although organic coffee may cost more than its non-organic counterpart, it offers numerous advantages that make it worth your while to invest in. Not only can it avoid pesticides and chemical fertilizers, it is also rich in antioxidants to combat the adverse effects of oxidative stress on the body. Furthermore, research indicates it contains less mycotoxins — mold toxins that have serious health implications if exposed over time – making organic coffee the safer choice both for you and the environment! So don’t wait another minute; start your day right with organic Fair Trade coffee today!
4. Water
Conventional coffee farms often rely on large amounts of water in order to grow and harvest their beans, with this water often containing chemicals from pesticides and fertilizers used on the crops – this poses problems both for people drinking the water as well as for the environment due to seepage into groundwater which then poisons fish and animals nearby. Organic farms tend to avoid this issue altogether by growing coffee organically which prevents this contaminant build-up in its cultivation process.
Organic coffee that is grown requires no use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides, thus omitting these harmful toxins. Furthermore, this form of coffee does not use genetically modified organisms – making it much safer both for those drinking it and the environment around them.
Organic coffee is not only better for the environment, it is also better for you. Organic food offers many health advantages; and coffee grown organically typically boasts higher antioxidants levels than non-organic varieties, helping promote healthy cells, boost immunity systems and protect against certain cancers.
Simply put, organic coffee is better for both you and the planet, while its delicious taste also benefits both immensely. Overall, purchasing organic coffee should be considered worth its added cost if it helps support health and environmental efforts simultaneously. Check out The Exotic Bean for their selection of premium organic beans!