6 surprising benefits of coffee (besides its wondrous taste)

To me, there’s one key benefit of coffee – it gets me through the day. A life without the wondrous ripple of caffeine soaring through my veins is not a life I wish to discuss. Good news though – turns out – there’s more to that morning cup o’ joe than just good taste. The environment, our beauty routine… coffee grounds are majorly multipurpose. Here are six things that prove they’re magic beans.

By Rachel Spedding

• 1 It increases your energy (obviously)

  Though there’s no concrete evidence, it’s thought that drinking coffee can speed up your metabolism. That’s one of the reasons why ‘a shot of black espresso’ is often suggested pre-workout, to boost your performance and burn fat at a faster rate. It works by stimulating the nervous system, which improves athletic performance, and your stamina during exercise. Resulllllt. ​
• 2 It's a great source of antioxidants

  Yeah but, what are antioxidants? They’re compounds, found in foods, that stop or delay damage to cells. They’re released from the foods we eat (or drink) during digestion, and travel through our bloodstream, right into the cells. Surprise, coffee has one of the highest concentrations of antioxidants going. That’s why it’s often noted as ‘disease’ fighting – or thought to lower the risk of diabetes. FYI, roasted coffee contains more antioxidants than non-roasted. Fact.
• 3 It makes a really decent body scrub

  Used as a body scrub, coffee will leave your skin feeling extra smooth and make your bathtub smell like a delicious brew. The abrasive texture of the grounds make for a great exfoliator, working against dead skin cells and flakey skin to refresh your bod. Naturally processed coffee (that means 'unwashed' at the bean-harvesting stage), has reduced acidity, making it more gentle on the skin. Grab two tablespoons of used grounds from your cafetiere and mix with ½ cup of granulated sugar, and some coconut oil. Massage across your body – focusing on the dry spots (heels, we’re coming for you), and rinse. Smells good, feels good. ​
• 4 It may reduce undereye puffiness

  Remember – puffy eyes can reveal a lot about your diet (or it can be down to genetics – as discussed here). If it’s frustrating you, give the coffee trick a try. Mix your used grounds with a little water to form a paste, then dollop on the affected area. Leave to work for 15 minutes then rinse gently. Since caffeine acts as a diuretic to reduce swelling, it makes sense. For an extra boost, stir in a little egg white and froth up with a spoon. You’ll feel your skin tighten (the best feeling). ​
• 5 You can use it as a hair rinse

  Yep, I’m serious. Encouraging growth, increasing lustre and exfoliating scalp, it’s got me wondering why I haven’t always washed my locks with coffee. Well, probably because of the clean up job. This one will require Marigolds. And, if your hair is naturally lighter, it’s probably best not to risk it. To do it (the quick way), brew two cups of coffee and leave to cool completely. Add to dry hair at the start of your shower, then rinse before you get out and follow with a leave-in conditioner. Easy. ​
• 6 You can recycle the grounds

  Insect repellant, making soap, eliminating odours – the recycling list goes on. But, for the green-fingered amongst us, using coffee grounds in the garden is ideal. The acidic quality makes for healthier plants, just spread across your flowers and watch them bloom. Used grounds release nitrogen too, which makes for great compost. More reason to sack off the faux cacti and try growing the real deal. You’ve got this.

  We partnered with Pact Coffee to bring you this delicious intel. Ethically sourced, expertly roasted, freshly ground and delivered to you for free. That’s Pact Coffee. If you’re tempted to try it (I’m sipping it now – you should), make sure to use the code TREATWELL for £5 off your first order. ​