Sustainable consumers who care about the environment can support their beliefs by purchasing organic coffee – and many brands comply with Fair Trade rules for farmers who grow it! Organic food does not contain harmful chemicals such as synthetic pesticides or fungicides. Also, many organic brands provide higher pay rates to farmers who harvest it.

Conventional coffee farming harms the environment by clearing forests for cultivation and killing native plant life, leaving wildlife without homes or habitats. Furthermore, toxic chemical run-off from these conventional farms pollutes rivers and groundwater sources affecting marine and terrestrial life alike. By employing organic methods of land health such as natural fertilizers or soil health techniques organic farmers keep their ecosystems free from harming chemicals that might pollute.

Organic coffee beans are free from harmful chemicals, meaning they contain more antioxidants that benefit both body and mind. Antioxidants help strengthen heart, immune system and brain health while also protecting cells against damage caused by free radicals. Organic coffee is also known for its digestive health properties and energy boosting effects.

Though flavor profiles may differ for organic coffee products, all certified organic products must meet certain standards and requirements in order to qualify as such. When selecting an organic product, look for its certification seal of approval on packaging to confirm it meets these criteria; brands who openly discuss their organic practices as well as certifications from Fair Trade or Smithsonian Organic are additional benefits for informed consumers.

Not only can we choose organic products, but there are other ways we can reduce our environmental footprint. Switching to a plant based diet, for instance, can have a dramatic impact on greenhouse gas emissions by cutting back on our meat consumption and helping lower greenhouse emissions. Also making small but meaningful changes such as investing in organic cleaners or purchasing cotton towels from organic producers are easy ways we can have an effectful environmental footprint reduction strategy.

With all the benefits associated with organic coffee listed, it is evident that it offers consumers who wish to improve their lives and those around them a way of improving quality of life a great option. Organic coffee purchases provide an easy and delicious way of doing just that, offering something delicious for every palate and using filtered water when brewing to eliminate contaminants that may negatively affect taste; and grinding beans fresh before brewing to maximize taste and flavor! Enjoy! This article originally appeared on Thrive Market.