Things to Add to Coffee to Make it Healthier
11 ways to make your coffee super healthy
You may be asking the question which many coffee drinkers ask: what can I put in my coffee that’s healthy? If you are looking for ways to increase the health benefits of your daily coffee cup, here we describe what you can add to coffee to make it super healthy.
Research shows that regular coffee drinking has many health benefits. E.g. moderate consumption (between 1 and 3 cups a day) can help in:
- improving blood circulation
- protecting from heart disease, stroke and hypertension
- preventing type 2 diabetes
- reducing liver fat
- decreasing the risk of neurodegenerative disease, Altzheimer, Parkinsons and dementia
- increasing cognitive function
- acting as an antidepressant
- providing antioxidants
But that’s not it, you can make your coffee even healthier!
What are the healthy things to put in coffee for an extra health boost?
11 healthy things to add to coffee
Here is a list of 11 things which can increase the health benefits of your coffee. From improving mood and energy, protecting your heart, to enhancing your immunity and brain functioning they can make your daily cup a real health bomb!. The things to add to coffee to make it healthier include:
- Cardamom
- Curcumin
- Cinnamon
- Collagen
- Cloves
- Cocoa
- Peanut butter
- Egg yolk
- Vanilla extract
- Matcha tea
- Honey
Let’s look into more details of the health benefits they provide and what are the best ways to incorporate them into your morning coffee, cold brew, espresso or latte.
What to add to coffee for health
1. Cardamom (green cardamom)
Why is it healthy to add cardamom to coffee?
Studies show that cardamom:
- regulates the carbohydrates metabolizm
- reduces insulin resistance
- protects the cardiovascular system
- lowers liver inflammation
- reduces liver fat
- lowers triglyceride levels
How to use cardamom with coffee?
Preparation
It cannot be easier, just sprinkle some ground cardamom into your coffee!
2. Curcumin
Why is it a good idea to add curcumin to coffee?
The health benefits of curcumin include:
- anti-inflammatory qualities
- reduced joint pain
- reduced bowel inflammation
- it improves mood and acts as an antidepressant
- improved liver health
How to use curcumin with coffee?
Preparation
To make coffee with curcumin, first warm up a teaspoon of curcumin with milk (can be a plant-based milk). You can add some pepper to it to increase the curcumin absorption.
Then simply add the mixture to your coffee.
Note: it’s important to warm up the curcumin as it increases its absorption by ten times when consumed hot.
3. Cinnamon
Coffee with cinnamon can be a super healthy drink, and here is why. Cinnamon coffee:
- prevents diabetes by reducing blood sugar and insulin resistance
- regulates the carbohydrate metabolizm
- has an anti-arthritic potential
- can prevent migraines
- has an anti-inflammatory effect
Note: it must be the real cinnamon from Ceylon (cinnamomum zeylanicum) as only this one provides these health benefits.
How to make cinnamon coffee?
Preparation
Use half a teaspoon per cup. The preparation method is the same as with curcumin (as we described above).
4. Collagen
Why add collagen to coffee?
You can make your coffee healthier by adding collagen powder because it:
- boosts tissue repair
- increases immunity
- promotes cellular communication
- promotes healthy hair, skin, and nails
How to drink coffee with collagen?
You can add collagen powder to your coffee. You can find collagen powder which is tasteless and fully dissolvable, so it won’t change the taste of your cup. Another option is a flavored collagen or collagen creamer to add taste and froth to your coffee.
5. Cloves
Another healthy thing which goes well with coffee is cloves. They give you a health boost by:
- protecting kidneys and liver
- reducing stomach ulcers
- protecting the stomach lining from alcohol irritation
- providing anti-arthritic qualities
How to use cloves with coffee?
You can simply add a pinch of ground cloves to your cup of coffee.
6. Cocoa
Coffee with cocoa is a favorite of many coffee lovers because coffee and chocolate flavors go very well together. Note, that we are talking about a real cocoa powder, not instant chocolate. This coffee drink is super healthy because it:
- increases brain neuroplasticity
- creates new brain cell connections
- reduces neurodegenerative processes
- increases cognitive function
- improves memory
- improves blood circulation in the brain
- prevents dementia
- lowers heart and stroke attack risk
- decreases blood pressure
- protects from type 2 diabetes
- has a high content of magnesium
How to make coffee with cocoa powder?
Preparation
You can simply add 1 – 2 teaspoons cocoa powder to instant coffee.
For brewed coffee: first dissolve cocoa in hot water, then mix it with coffee.
7. Peanut butter
Can you drink coffee with peanut butter?
Absolutely! Coffee with peanut butter is not only healthy but also very delicious. For this nutritious coffee beverage you can use peanut butter or any other nut butter. The health benefits of coffee with peanut butter include:
- decreasing risk of heart disease and stroke
- improving memory, focus, brain function and learning abilities
- source of vitamin E which slows down ageing
- anti-cancer qualities
How to make coffee with peanut butter?
For coffee with peanut butter you will need:
- ½ cup of milk
- 2 – 3 teaspoons of peanut butter (or any other nut butter)
- optional: nutmeg, cinnamon or other spices
- optional: egg yolk
- your favorite coffee brew
Preparation
To prepare a peanut butter coffee simply mix the milk (hot or cold) with peanut butter and add to your freshly brewed coffee.
8. Egg yolk
Why add egg yolk to your coffee?
Egg yolk makes your coffee healthier because it:
- reduces liver fat
- reduces risk of dementia and Althheimers
- increases cognitive function
Apart from that, it’s quite filling, so you won’t feel hungry for a while after such a treat.
How to make coffee with egg yolk
You can have coffee with egg yolk in two ways: with or without milk. I must say, coffee with egg yolk and sugar is one of my personal favorites.
Coffee with egg yolk
I simply mix egg yolk with sugar in a cup until the sugar dissolves and the color changes to almost white. To mix egg yolk with sugar I use a handheld frother with a ballon whisk. Then I pour a moka pot espresso into it.
Coffee with egg yolk and milk
Here is how to prepare the milky version of egg yolk coffee.
Ingredients:
- 3.5 oz (100 ml) milk or coconut milk
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- pinch of ground nutmeg or cinnamon (optional)
- some vanilla (optional)
Preparation:
- mix egg yolk with sugar until it’s whiteish (you can do it directly in the serving cup)
- warm up the milk
- transfer the milk to the serving cup
- add your favorite coffee brew to it
- wait for a moment for the egg to float to the top
9. Vanilla extract
Why add vanilla extract to coffee?
Vanilla increases the health benefits of your coffee because it:
- improves mood
- reduces inflammation
Preparation
You can add a few drops of vanilla extract to your coffee or add a vanilla bean to your coffee grounds before brewing.
10. Matcha tea
Can you have coffee with matcha tea together?
Yes! Coffee with matcha tea is not only tasty but also healthy. Matcha coffee is a superfoods because it:
- is a source of antioxidants
- accelerates weight loss
- reduces risk of heart disease
- gives an extra energy boost
- improves focus
- makes you calm
- lowers blood pressure
- lowers cholesterol
- reduces inflammation
- boosts immunity
- has anti-cancer qualities
- is a source of group B vitamins, vitamin A, C and others
How to make coffee with matcha?
For coffee with matcha you will need:
- 3.5 oz (100 ml) coconut milk or coconut cream
- 1 teaspoon matcha powder
- sugar – optional
Preparation
Mix the matcha powder with milk (hot or cold), then add to your brew.
11. Honey
If you need a little sweetness in your coffee, try replacing sugar with honey as a healthier option.
Why is honey healthier than sugar? Honey is healthier than sugar because it is:
- immunity booster
- antidepressant
- anticonvulsant
- anti-anxiety agent
Final note
These are our ideas on what you can add to your coffee to make it healthier. The list is much longer, but we think these are the easiest ways to make your coffee a health bomb! What are your favorite healthy things to add to your daily cup? Share in the comments below!