The Vera Roasting origin story began in 2015 during a routine doctor’s visit. Professor of organic chemistry at the University of New Hampshire, Glen Miller, Ph.D., learned that, like millions of Americans, his cholesterol levels had elevated.
In order to manage high cholesterol, Dr. Miller was interested in finding a healthy alternative treatment. As a scientist, he was aware of the “French Paradox”.
The “French Paradox” refers to the paradoxical empirical finding that, despite eating a diet relatively high in saturated fats, much as their neighbors, the French people have a relatively low incidence of coronary heart disease. This finding appears to run counter to the widely held belief that a high intake of these fats is a risk factor for coronary heart disease.
Scientific research reinforces the notion that drinking red wine daily directly contributes to French longevity and their lower incidence of heart attacks.
Resveratrol is a polyphenol antioxidant that is naturally present in red wine. Resveratrol was first found in the 1940s, but it gained popularity in the 1990s when research revealed that red wine had heart-healthy benefits.
“What specifically about red wine explains the paradox?” Dr. Miller questioned “Scientific papers, peer-reviewed in leading journals the preponderance of the evidence all suggests that resveratrol is a highly beneficial antioxidant, which is not only capable of reducing coronary heart disease but other diseases, including cancers and aging, related cognitive decline.
As I started to age, what could I do to make resveratrol a regular part of my diet?” stated Dr. Miller in a recent interview.
The focus of Dr. Miller’s study then moved to find a way to consume resveratrol on a daily basis.
The only problem is that “resveratrol is not very soluble in water.” Dr. Miller continues. On average, human bodies are made of 60% water. “And so when we consume a pill of solid resveratrol, most of it just passes through. It’s very wasteful. The benefits of solid resveratrol are unclear. I wanted to figure out a way to introduce resveratrol in my diet, and I wanted it to be soluble and bioavailable like it is in red wine.” Ideas kept coming but nothing really stuck.
What about resveratrol supplements, or pills? They’re available. “But as I looked at them, I realized the resveratrol in red wine, which has these heart health benefits, is soluble in bioavailable, but the resveratrol in tablets is in a solid form.” He continues; “Peanuts, likewise, have a tiny amount of resveratrol. Blueberries have a tiny amount of resveratrol. There really isn’t any other food that has a significant quantity of resveratrol.”
The Lightbulb Moment
“I was literally in the shower one day thinking, how can I make resveratrol a part of my daily diet?” It was as if a light bulb went on in his head, and he realized that he had a natural remedy for aging issues that plague the entire planet.
“I’m a coffee lover and have been a coffee lover for a long time, and I realize that coffee has some attributes that can be very, very beneficial. Coffee could be the perfect vehicle for resveratrol.” Dr. Miller stated. “If resveratrol is naturally found in red wine, is it possible to somehow put it in coffee?” He then set to work. According to USA Today, as many as 83% of US adults drink coffee per day.
An Innovative Groundbreaking Process
“I started working on it and I developed a method to infuse freshly roasted coffee beans with resveratrol. That means the resveratrol is inside the bean.”
Dr. Miller created a groundbreaking way to enrich the coffee-drinking experience by establishing a daily wellness routine. “This method was secure and efficient in preventing heat damage to the macronutrients throughout the coffee brewing process.” he continues “I discovered a method to infuse the resveratrol into the beans. And then I formulated it in such a way that when you take those beans and grind them and ultimately produce coffee, the coffee has the same amount of resveratrol as a typical glass of red wine. For that, I was awarded a U.S. patent, and I realized I’ve got to share this with the world.”
Thus, the name Vera was born. Inside the word resveratrol, just like a hug, you will find the word, Vera.
We asked Dr. Miller what the next steps were. “I’m a coffee lover and I wanted to create a premium coffee that I would drink every day.” Vera Roasting uses 100% Arabica organic coffee beans purchased from small farms (in Central America) in a very ethical way, such that the farmers enjoy the profits of their labors.
Does the resveratrol change the flavor of the coffee? “No. It doesn’t change the flavor, but it does impact the mouthfeel of the coffee. So if you think about red wine, you take a glass of red wine and swirl that around your tongue. It’s just a little more smooth than you’re used to. And it’s better for you.”
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