Coffee is known to help jumpstart your day. If you are a coffee lover, you may be trying to find your ideal taste or looking for ways to amp your coffee. Everyone needs add-ins that give them a health boost and flavor. Coffee in itself has many health benefits and it is better to have it plain than ruin it by adding a bunch of unhealthy add-ins.
Alternatively, you can opt to choose the best instant coffee that is healthy, full of flavor and you have it on the go. To spice up your coffee, you can have it with a hint of sweetness from healthy sweeteners, a dash of spice with no fat or sugar. Here are some ways you can spice up your coffee and the benefits they have.
Cardamom
If you want an exotic flavor in your coffee. The cardamom spice is the best. If you grind yours before brewing, add few whole cardamom seeds to your coffee beans, or sprinkle a pinch or two into a cup of brewed coffee. One main reason to add this spice to your coffee is it is loaded with essential minerals, fiber, and it's only 36 calories. Also, it is known to cure dental diseases, control cholesterol, and improve blood circulation. Plus, it helps neutralize stimulating caffeine effects. Hence why it is used in Ayurvedic medicine.
Hazelnut oil
Hazelnut is a popular coffee flavor, aside from vanilla and caramel. Fortunately, a homemade version is super simple and affordable. To use it, add the hazelnut oil to your pot of freshly brewed coffee or your cup. However, be careful as extracts are strong, and it is best to try little by little before you find the amount you prefer most. Using hazelnut oil to spice your coffee benefits you with the fiber, antioxidants, and healthy fats it has. It helps to lower cholesterol levels, boost heart health, keep your blood sugar in check as it has Oleic acid and is easily absorbed into the body.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a top-notch add-in as it has few calories and it maximizes flavor. Add a dash to your cup or brew your coffee with a cinnamon stick so that it has time to infuse. Cinnamon has the highest antioxidant contents of most spices. It helps lower sugar levels, reduce inflammation, aid in fat burning, and soothes nausea. It helps to boost your immune system too as it has antibacterial and antiviral properties.
Coconut sugar
The sap of flower buds growing on a coconut palm tree is what coconut sugar is made from. It tastes and looks similar to brown sugar, and a teaspoon to your grounds before brewing is all you will need. Since it is unrefined, it has an impressive amount of iron, zinc, and antioxidants. It acts as a prebiotic and helps promote the growth of microorganisms in your intestine. Thus, it supports gut health and much more, but you need to take it in moderation like any other sugar.
Coconut milk
If you are lactose intolerant, coconut milk is the ideal add-in. Also, it comes in handy if you want a low-calorie milk substitute or your cutting off dairy from your diet. If you love the coconut flavor, you will love adding this milk to your coffee. Plus, you can make a low-calorie creamer by adding vanilla extract to your coconut milk. The fat in this milk is in form of MCFAs that are Medium-Chain Saturated Fatty Acids. This helps in boosting immunity and have a healthy dose of vitamin C, E, and B, iron, and magnesium that are beneficial to the body.
Peppermint oil
Peppermint oil just like hazelnut oil can be added to your brew but sparingly. Make your own at home and you can make it a specialty during the holidays, mostly during winter. Peppermint oil has a bevy of minerals and vitamins. It has anti-inflammatory properties as it helps relieve sore muscles. It helps calm an upset stomach, aid indigestion, heartburn, nausea and it is helpful if you have Irritable Bowel Syndrome as it helps to smooth muscles in your gastrointestinal tract.
