Every day, roughly half of the people over 18 years old living in the United States drink a cup of coffee or more—that’s about 107 million people. As the most popular drink in the world, coffee clearly has major appeal.
However, depending on how you take your coffee, it may not be a healthy beverage to drink every single day. However, if you rethink the way you drink coffee, you can actually experience some health benefits.
To make your morning cup of joe healthier (and tastier), try out a few of the following tips:
1. Make It, Don’t Order It
It’s too easy to line up at a coffee shop’s counter and order an overpriced, decadent drink; when you see that large iced caramel macchiato on the menu, you’ll be enticed to splurge and indulge in the sweet creaminess.
If you brew coffee at home, you’ll not only save money but avoid temptation. Doing so also gives you more control over your drink. Unlike at a cafe, at home, you can decide for yourself home much sugar or dairy to add.
Making your own cup of coffee also gives you time for you. It allows you to slow down just a bit while you combine your coffee’s ingredients and meditate on the day you’ll have ahead.
2. Switch to Organic Coffee
These days, many consumers don’t have a solid idea of how their food and drinks are produced. The same goes for coffee products. Unfortunately, many coffee farms treat their plants with pesticides and don’t have adequate quality control when it comes to identifying toxins.
Switching to organic or single-source coffee gives consumers a better idea of how the coffee is grown, cultivated, picked, and processes. If you know where your coffee comes from, you can make more informed purchasing decisions.
3. Choose Almond Milk Over Creamer
Compared to regular milk or creamers, a serving of almond milk has far fewer calories. Almond milk also contains a lot of protein and vitamin D, which boosts the immune system.
4. Drink it Hot
You may not think it makes a difference, but it’s actually healthier to drink coffee hot than iced for a number of reasons. For example, studies show that hot coffee contains more antioxidants, which protect cells from free radicals.
5. Flavor Your Coffee with Natural Ingredients
Instead of choosing chocolate syrup or whipped cream, why not sprinkle your coffee with a dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, or unsweetened cocoa powder? Hints of non-fat, natural ingredients can change the way you enjoy coffee every day. Try keeping a row of dessert spices in your pantry, including flower essences like rosewater and powdered tea leaves like chai Matcha.
6. Add MCT Oil
With the use of MCT Oil, you can turn your delicious cup of coffee into an agent for weight loss. MCT stands for medium-chain triglycerides, which are a type of fat that the body can easily convert to ketones and use for instant fuel, aiding in fat burning. Consuming MCT oil in coffee can also help you lose weight by curbing cravings.
7. Spice Things Up
Coffee drinking can help you battle some unforeseen chronic diseases. If you’re up for some flavor exploration, why not add spices to your usual cup of coffee?
Start with turmeric, rosemary, or even black pepper. Regular doses of these spices can lead to long-term health benefits. Turmeric has cancer-fighting properties, while rosemary brings stress-reducing effects. Black pepper also aids in curing disorders related to digestive tracts. Add a teaspoon of these powdered spices to your freshly brewed coffee and see how they bring interesting changes to its flavor profile.
8. Try it with Collagen Powder
Who knew collagen could also be mixed with coffee? While you may be most familiar with collagen in skincare products, the protein supplement can also be added to food and drinks. Collagen can help reduce joint pain, improve heart health, and prevent bone loss, among other health benefits.
Collagen powder is mostly flavorless, so if you add it to your coffee, you won’t be bothered by an unpleasant after-taste. Mix a small serving with your hot cup of coffee.
Healthier Cups of Joe
The good news is, you don’t have to ditch your daily coffee habit to lead a healthier life. Instead, think of how you can use this habit to your benefit. By trying these tips and tricks, you can not only enjoy healthier options but also explore new textures and flavors.
