A concise guide to buying coffee!

Pay attention to where the coffee beans were grown.

Coffee is the number one source of antioxidants. No wonder, 54 percent of people drink an average of three cups of coffee in a day. But what we need to remember is that coffee is also the crop that is grown with most pesticides. So imagine how ingesting artificial pesticides in three cups of coffee in a day can affect your brain, body and your overall health. According to a Delhi-based nutritionist, Shivika Girdhar here are the essential things you need to watch out for while buying coffee.

Pick organic coffee: Simply because you are buying expensive coffee beans, does not guarantee that it is organic. You need to look for organic certification in the container or the bag. Check for the USDA organic label on your coffee. Also, find out if vending machine coffee could be harming you.

Pay attention to where the coffee beans were grown: If you are not buying organic coffee, consider avoiding beans that are grown in certain parts of the world. While pesticides are banned in most places, they are still sprayed in coffee grown in Brazil. Glyphosphate, aldicarb, carbofuran and terbufos are a few pesticides sprayed in coffee all of which can cause cancer. The best regions are at high altitudes, which a have rich, volcanic soil.

Opt for decaf coffee if you have certain health implications: You should opt for decaf coffee if you have certain health conditions like diabetes and hypertension. Also, stick to decaf coffee if you are pregnant. If coffee makes you jittery or anxious, it is best you opt for the decaf ones. Make sure that you check with your doctor if it is safe to drink coffee if you have any health conditions.

Prefer light roasted coffee over darker ones: Light roasted coffee has a higher level of antioxidants that can prevent free radical damage. Lightly roasted coffee beans have been shown to contain higher levels of the antioxidant chlorogenic acid as compared to the darker ones. Also, never drink your coffee in Styrofoam cups.

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