We all love and appreciate the increased energy that comes from a morning cup of Joe, but what many people don’t realize is that coffee also offers many additional benefits that go far beyond your taste buds and energy levels. In fact, numerous studies have confirmed that coffee is much more than just a beverage and that it is actually a powerhouse of health advantages. It has the ability to drastically improve your physical, sexual and mental health and reduce your risk of potential health complications, while still giving you that jolt of java that you’re looking for.
Pour Yourself a Cup of These Benefits
It’s hard to believe that you’ve been enjoying that delicious cup of coffee every morning without ever knowing the powerful benefits it brings to your overall health and wellness. Sure, there’s no denying that the delicious jolt of java is worth it on its own, but once you learn about the health advantages it also brings into your day, your mornings are certain to start off with far more appreciation for that cup of joe.
Some of the top benefits of drinking coffee are:
- Can help protect against Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders
- Increases energy levels
- Boosts dopamine (your happy hormone)
- Reduces risk of type 2 diabetes
- Encourages weight loss by altering fat storage
- Helps weight management by supporting gut health
- Reduces risk of depression
- Can protect against liver conditions
- Supports heart health
- Reduces risk of developing heart disease
- Lower risk of stroke
- Decreased risk of heart failure
- Increase energy levels and athletic performance
- Decreases body fat
- Can make you live longer
- Decreases risk of getting colon cancer
Delicious Additions That Amp Up Any Cup of Coffee
There’s no denying that coffee isn’t already amazing as it is, offering all the flavor, energy and health benefits you could ever want from a beverage. But it gets better. Coffee pairs flawlessly with many other ingredients, which can be done to personalize the taste and boost the health advantages.
Here are some popular ingredients to spice up your favourite brew:
Ashwagandha
Pick up this medicinal herb and add it into your coffee for a natural way to reduce and manage stress levels, reduce blood sugar levels, improve brain function, and enhance your sleep. Ashwagandha can be purchased in a powder form and you only need a small sprinkle (around a teaspoon) to start harnessing the benefits.
Butter
Butter is an excellent addition to coffee, as it can increase and extend the energy you get from your cup of joe and make the energy boost last throughout the day. This is due to the higher fat content that naturally slows down digestion, so the caffeine doesn’t get absorbed as quickly. This also prevents the midday crash many people experience with coffee, and you also have the added benefit of the vitamins and nutrients in butter that can increase mental clarity and cognitive function. Just add 1-2 tablespoons of good quality grass-fed butter into your next brew to see if this unique addition is for you.
Cardamom
When added to coffee, cardamom has a synergistic effect that neutralizes the acidity in coffee that can reduce nausea and soothe an upset digestive tract. It’s also rich in antioxidants and has both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which help lower blood pressure, blood sugar levels and cholesterol levels.
To use cardamom in coffee, it’s recommended that you use the green cardamom variety, as the others can be too overpowering. All you have to do is grind up 3-4 pods or use half a teaspoon of cardamom per cup of coffee to start harnessing these benefits.
Cayenne
Cayenne in coffee? Absolutely! This combination adds a bit of spice into your cup of joe while also offering you all of the health benefits that cayenne is known for. To name a few, cayenne is rich in antioxidants and it can help lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases, lower blood sugar levels, increase your metabolism and enhance your immune system. Just add a dash, stir and enjoy.
Cinnamon
Add a sprinkle of cinnamon into your cup of coffee for lowered blood glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Studies have also found that cinnamon can help manage blood pressure and offers a variety of powerful cancer-fighting properties. It also tastes delicious too! It’s recommended to use Ceylon cinnamon instead of cassia cinnamon to reduce the possibility of experiencing unwanted side-effects.
Cocoa
Who doesn’t love a delicious hint of cocoa in their coffee? Not only are mochas delicious, but they can also be super nutritious when made with real cocoa, as cocoa contains an abundance of phytonutrients, antioxidants, and other essential nutrients. Numerous studies have also found that cocoa can help reduce the risk of heart disease and improve cholesterol and sugar levels. It can also boost anti-inflammatory properties, regulate your body’s energy use, improve metabolism and increase satiety to help prevent overeating or snacking, making it a super helpful and beneficial ingredient. Just add a tablespoon or two of cocoa powder into your next brew to soak in all the goodness. There are also many varieties to choose from, such as dark cocoa, natural cocoa, or unsweetened cocoa, so be sure to play around with the different kinds to see what you like best.
Coconut Milk
Swap out your typical dairy for coconut milk and enjoy a rich and creamy texture, a slight hint of coconut flavor, and a slow release of caffeine for energy all day long. Similar to butter, coconut milk has a high-fat content that slows down the release of the caffeine, so you receive a longer energy boost without a midday crash. Adding coconut milk to your coffee can also help you feel fuller longer, while simultaneously preventing cravings. The fat content is also largely made up of MCFAs (medium chain saturated fatty acids), which speed up metabolism and support brain health. Just be sure to use a small splash of coconut milk to keep your brew weight-loss-friendly.
Ginger
Ginger is commonly used for its medicinal properties and it pairs flawlessly with a variety of beverages, including coffee. It can help digestion, reduce nausea, and soothe stomach cramps, while also regulating blood sugar and cholesterol levels, improving BMI, and offering many anti-inflammatory properties. Just grab a small piece of ginger and grate it into your coffee, let it sit before you sip, and enjoy.
Green Coffee Bean Extract
It may sound strange to add raw, unroasted coffee beans into your coffee but the benefits are definitely worth it, as green coffee beans are rich in antioxidants and contain beneficial bioactive compounds, including chlorogenic acids and caffeine.
Chlorogenic acids help regulate blood sugar levels, as it reduces carbohydrate absorption in the digestive tract to prevent insulin spikes. It also increases fat metabolism and improves obesity-related hormones such as leptin and ghrelin, to assist with weight loss and weight management. Caffeine also helps with this, as it is a natural stimulant that increases your metabolism, as well as your body’s natural fat-burning capabilities.
Hazelnut Oil
This addition is as delicious as it sounds. Adding hazelnut oil into your coffee will not only add a boost of flavor into your brew, but it can also offer you a variety of unique health benefits due to its rich antioxidant content, fiber and healthy fats. To name a few, hazelnut oil can provide you with a boost of anti-aging properties and heart health, reduced cholesterol levels, regulated blood sugar levels and a reduced risk for cardiovascular diseases. Just add a couple of drops and you’re ready to start sipping away. You can also combine this ingredient with coconut milk to take your coffee to the next level.
Vanilla
Add a few drops of pure vanilla extract into your coffee and you won’t regret it. Vanilla has all of the goodness you could ever want. Not only is its aroma super soothing and calming for the mind, but it is also rich in antioxidants, anti-cancer properties, anti-inflammatory properties and neuroprotective properties. Studies have also found that vanilla can help you lower your sugar intake, as the aroma helps satisfy your sugar craving without the sugar.
You can use a vanilla extract or brew some vanilla beans in with your coffee to enjoy this addition, and you may want to try it with coconut milk too!
Although coffee is mainly enjoyed as a delicious source of motivation in the morning, it also provides a plethora of long-lasting benefits that boost far more than just your energy levels. You can savour the flavor of your favourite brew as is or sprinkle in some extra ingredients, such as cinnamon, honey, vanilla or cocoa for many added benefits.
