
What Coffee is Rich in Antioxidants and Why JBM Coffee Is The Healthiest To Drink?
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Did you know that 67% of adults in the U.S., 63% of people in the UK, and 74% of Canadians enjoy their coffee and drink it regularly? With all the coffee lovers out there, it makes you wonder, are you really getting the most out of your coffee if you're just picking up instant coffee from the grocery store?
Sure, instant coffee is cheaper and easier to prepare, but it doesn't pack the same health benefits as specialty coffee. Jamaican coffee beans are loaded with antioxidants that help fight inflammation, lower the risk of heart disease, and combat early signs of aging.
Before we dive into why Jamaican coffee is the healthiest coffee to drink among the specialty coffees rich in antioxidants, let’s talk about coffee and antioxidants first.
Coffee: The Drink That Has the Most Antioxidants
Compared to other beverages that contain antioxidants, such as tea, grape juice, and pomegranate juice, coffee is the richest source of antioxidants.
Here’s how the drinks with the most antioxidants rank:
Rank |
Drink |
Antioxidant content (mmol/100g) |
Caffeine Content |
Key Nutrients |
1 |
Coffee |
2.5 |
High |
Chlorogenic acids, caffeine |
2 |
Pomegranate Juice |
2.1 |
None |
Vitamin C, polyphenols |
3 |
Grape Juice |
1.2 |
None |
Vitamin C, flavonoids |
4 |
Black Tea |
1.0 |
Moderate |
Polyphenols, catechins |
5 |
Cocoa with milk |
0.37 |
Moderate |
Flavonoids, magnesium |
Antioxidant content, measured in millimoles per 100 grams (mmol/100g), indicates the ability of a food or substance to neutralize free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage cells. This unit allows for a standardized comparison of antioxidant potency across different foods, helping to identify those with the highest concentration of these protective compounds. Information from the above table comes from pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Coffee has 136 bioactive compounds, most of which are antioxidants. That’s far more than even a superfood like kale.
Antioxidants are crucial because they fight oxidative stress, which heavily influences many diseases.
For example:
- Drinking an extra cup of coffee each day can actually lower your risk of type 2 diabetes by 6%.
- Having 3 to 4 cups of coffee each day can cut your chance of having a stroke by 21%.
- If you drink 3 to 5 cups, it might even lower your risk of Alzheimer's by as much as 65%.
- Research indicates that having about 3.5 cups a day can lead to a 15% decrease in the risk of all-cause mortality.
However, the main reason why coffee is the richest source of antioxidants among the other drinks is the amount of chlorogenic acids (CGA) coffee has.
What are chlorogenic acids, and how do they affect your cup?
Here’s the science behind your coffee. Don’t worry, we’re not going too deep, but it’s definitely interesting!
Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is the most abundant and important acid in your cup of joe. CGA is an ester, which means it’s made by combining two compounds: quinic acid and caffeic acid. Together, they form 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid (a mouthful, I know); it’s the form that dominates in coffee.
This version of CGA is the main player in your coffee, though there are other variations in smaller amounts. CGA is responsible for a lot of the tartness, along with those sweet, sour, and astringent flavors you get from coffee.
However, if you brew for too long, CGA is also behind some of those unpleasant flavors that start to pop up. When coffee is heated, CGA breaks down into quinic and caffeic acid. So, the longer your coffee is roasted, the less CGA remains, and those simpler acids take over. These secondary acids are often to blame for that bitter, astringent taste when coffee is roasted for too long.
But these byproducts aren't all bad! When they’re in balance, they can actually improve the flavor. CGA and its breakdown products come with serious health benefits, like anti-cancer, antioxidant, and inflammation-inhibiting properties.
Coffee is the number one source of antioxidants in the United States diet, especially for people who don’t consume many vegetables or fruits. For them, coffee becomes their go-to source of antioxidants.
Why Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Is the Healthiest Coffee to Drink
What makes JBM Coffee better than your instant coffee? It has a greater amount of chlorogenic acids. On average, your instant coffee can contain about 30% to 40% less CGA than freshly brewed coffee from high-quality beans.
Although there are other specialty coffee beans out there that have higher CGA content, like Ethiopian Yirgacheffe or Kenyan AA, Jamaican Blue coffee beans are healthier for many reasons. The way their beans are grown, the flavor of the coffee, and its roast level are what make Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee the healthiest to drink.
1. Unique Growing Conditions
JBM coffee comes from the Jamaican Blue Mountains, where the altitude, climate, and soil all play a big role in producing high-quality beans. These beans are known for keeping their antioxidant levels intact better than those grown at lower elevations. The cooler, misty environment helps slow down how the beans mature, and that boosts their antioxidant potential.
2. Less Harsh Flavor
Jamaican coffee is usually preferred for its smooth, mild taste that has less bitterness than many other specialty coffees. This makes it easier on your stomach, especially for people who are sensitive to the acidity or strong taste of other coffees, and might lessen any discomfort or digestive problems.
3. No Need for Additives, Just Rich, Smooth Coffee
One of the best things about choosing JBM coffee over regular coffee is that it gives you a unique taste without sacrificing health benefits. JBM coffee has hints of chocolate or fruit. Also, since JBM coffee doesn’t require a lot of additions like sugar or cream to hide any bitterness, it naturally has fewer calories, which is great for people who are watching their diet.
4. Less Likely to Over-Roast
Unlike some other specialty coffees that may be roasted too dark in an attempt to achieve stronger flavors, JBM is carefully monitored to avoid over-roasting. JBM coffee is typically roasted to a medium or light roast, which helps retain a higher concentration of chlorogenic acids.
JBM is often roasted in smaller batches by expert roasters who are mindful of preserving the smooth, mild flavors that make JBM so unique. The beans are roasted at a controlled temperature, ensuring that they don’t overheat or burn, which is common with larger-scale roasting operations.
This means fewer bitter byproducts are produced, leading to a smoother cup of coffee with a more pleasant taste and better health benefits.
5. Full of Antioxidants and Important Nutrients
Research indicates that drinking coffee in moderation can help fight free radicals. These substances lead to oxidative stress and can cause different health issues.
A cup of JBM coffee not only gives you a caffeine kick, but it also has antioxidants that support a healthy way of living.
But it's not just about the antioxidants in Blue Mountain Coffee that make this drink the healthiest; JBM coffee also has other important nutrients, such as:
- Manganese: Helps keep bones strong, supports blood clotting, and reduces swelling.
- Potassium: Helps balance fluids in your body, controls muscle movements, and sends nerve signals.
- Thiamine (Vitamin B1): Important for energy production and the health of your nervous system.
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): Helps your body grow, supports red blood cell production, and helps release energy.
- Niacin (Vitamin B3): Keeps your digestive system, skin, and nerves healthy.
- Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5): Helps your body break down fats and keeps your cells functioning properly.
The antioxidants and nutrients make JBM coffee the healthiest coffee to drink compared to other specialty coffees.
6. Preserves More of the Nutrients
Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee beans undergo a washed processing method. The coffee cherries go through a process where they are depulped and fermented. This helps to take off the outer fruit layers, so we are left with the clean coffee beans.
This method helps preserve more of the natural oils in the beans. Since washed processing is gentler on the beans. By removing the fruit's residue, this process ensures that the coffee retains its full nutritional potential and health benefits, especially in terms of antioxidants.
What Is The Best Way To Prepare Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee For Antioxidants?
The best way to prepare your coffee to maximize antioxidants is by choosing a light or medium roast, using a hot brewing method like drip brewing or pour-over, and drinking it black without any cream or sugar. However, even if you make your coffee perfectly, if you're not getting your Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee from a reliable supplier, it might not be worth it.
Where to Buy Authentic and Top-Quality Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee Beans and Ground Coffee
You can buy authentic and top-quality Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee beans from Genuine Blue Mountain Coffee, a branch of Allen’s Trading Company.
At our company, we travel to Jamaica and work directly with farmers and producers to source only the finest Jamaican coffee products. Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee is considered by connoisseurs to be the best coffee in the world, and we’re committed to providing only the highest quality beans.
We are registered with the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA) as an official importer of Blue Mountain and High Mountain Supreme green coffee beans, which we wholesale in iconic wooden barrels to coffee roasters throughout the USA.
Visit our website to order Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee, or go to our Amazon page to know more about us.
FAQs
1. Can I get the antioxidant benefits of coffee without the caffeine?
Yes, decaffeinated coffee still contains chlorogenic acids (CGA) and other antioxidants, although the levels are slightly lower than in regular coffee.
2. Are there any side effects of drinking too much coffee for its antioxidants?
Even though coffee has a lot of antioxidants, drinking too much can lead to some problems. Having more than 4–5 cups each day could lead to feelings of anxiety, trouble sleeping, and stomach problems.
3. Does the quality of coffee beans affect the amount of antioxidants in my cup?
Yes, high-quality coffee beans, such as Jamaican Blue Mountain, usually have more antioxidants since they’re cultivated in perfect conditions. Beans that are grown in cooler areas with good soil keep their nutrients more effectively.
4. Does the way I store my coffee affect its antioxidant content?
Yes, storing coffee properly is important to preserve its antioxidants. When coffee beans are exposed to air, heat, and light, they can start to lose their flavor and antioxidant properties.
To make sure your coffee stays completely fresh, put it in a sealed container and keep it somewhere cool and dark. It's best to grind your coffee right before you brew it to get the most antioxidants out of it.
5. Can I enhance the antioxidant content of my coffee by adding spices or other ingredients?
Yes, you can easily enhance the antioxidant levels in your coffee by mixing in ingredients such as cinnamon, turmeric, cacao powder, ashwagandha, and medicinal mushrooms. These ingredients can boost your drink, making it tastier and healthier. Just remember not to add too much sugar, as it might undo some of the positive effects.