Coffee…it’s everywhere, and people all over the world enjoy the benefits of this versatile beverage. Some like it hot, some like it cold, some like it iced, others blended. No matter which way you like your coffee, the truth is – a little bit every day is quite good for your health. What about coffee additives? Just like anything else – a little of some things can be a great complement to your morning cup of Jo, while any amount of others can sabotage your healthy efforts. Sugar comes to mind!
The best thing, hands down, to put in your morning cup of coffee comes to us courtesy of the bees. Honey, on its own, is a powerful substance capable of great therapeutic benefits. When organic coffee combines with raw, local honey, something amazing happens. The combination brings out the best in both foods and allows you to reap double the benefits of a delicious and nutritious drink. Just one tablespoon is all it takes.
Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of coffee and honey.
Benefits of organic coffee
- Can improve energy levels – Anyone who has ever had a cup of coffee could attest to this fact. Even the smell has a singular ability to wake you up and get you going like nothing else. Science backs this up, too, showing just how effective, appropriate amounts of caffeine are for stimulating your mind and increasing energy levels.
- Rich in antioxidants – Coffee can help eliminate free radicals in the body and may be the most significant antioxidant source in the Western diet. Since many people don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables, which are the most common source of antioxidants, coffee has taken the top place as the most frequently consumed antioxidant-rich substance.
- Can protect your brain – Drinking coffee could help protect your brain from age-related mental diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. Studies show that coffee drinkers have up to a 65% lower chance of developing Alzheimer’s.
- Help fight depression – Coffee is an effective deterrent for depression. This is a serious mental disorder that often requires treatment and medication; however, coffee could help counteract the effects of mild-to-moderate depression and act as a preventative tool.
- You could live longer – Because coffee intake is linked to a reduction in several conditions such as coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and kidney disease, a daily dose of coffee could help extend your life and keep you healthy.
Benefits of raw, local honey
- Reduces inflammation: Raw honey reduces levels of an inflammatory marker called homocysteine, an essential indicator of protection against chronic inflammatory illnesses such as heart disease.
- Rich in antioxidants – Like coffee, raw honey contains powerful antioxidants that help fight free radicals that cause premature aging and the development of chronic health conditions. The antioxidant properties in honey are known as polyphenols, which play a role in preventing heart disease.
- Honey protects against metabolic syndrome – Research shows that honey protects against a group of conditions that include elevated blood pressure, excess fat around the waist, insulin resistance, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels. Together, these symptoms put one at a much higher risk of developing diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. Honey has a low glycemic index and decreases blood sugar levels which prevent weight gain. Honey also improves lipid metabolism and enhances insulin sensitivity.
- Improves digestion – Raw honey is rich in prebiotics, which provides fuel for healthy bacteria in the lower digestive system. It is also known to fight nausea and indigestion because it does not ferment in the stomach.
- Honey never spoils – When appropriately contained, raw honey has an eternal shelf life. There have even been reports of honey found in thousand-year-old ancient tombs. The acid and low moisture properties of honey make it a highly inhospitable environment for bacteria.
- Soothes allergies – One of the best ways to soothe allergies is with locally sourced, unpasteurized honey. It is said that the compounds in the honey improve one’s tolerance to the pollens found in the local area.
- Honey may improve cognitive function – A randomized, double-blind human trial found that a combination of honey, saffron, astragalus, and sedge helps people with mental problems and depression.
Try these healthy coffee additives
In addition to adding local raw honey to your organic coffee, here are a few other healthy additives that will supercharge your morning drink, providing sustained energy all day long.
Turmeric
You don’t need a lot of turmeric, but here’s why you should add it to your morning coffee. Curcumin, the main compound found in turmeric, is widely known and accepted for its antioxidant, antiviral, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. Research from the Journal Cancer Prevention suggests that turmeric consumption in India is high. They consume it fresh, in root form and dried ground form — up to four grams per person, per day.
Research reports that overall cancer rates are significantly lower in India than in Western countries, which is attributed (among other factors) to the high levels of curcumin consumed. The Arthritis Foundation suggests adding 0.5 grams to 1 gram of powdered root three times per day to reduce painful inflammation associated with arthritis. That’s about 0.1 to 0.2 of a teaspoonful.
A pinch of ground back pepper
Consuming turmeric on its own has a relatively low bioavailability, which is why it is essential to add a bit of ground black pepper. According to research published in the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, just a tiny amount of black pepper shoots up turmeric’s bioavailability by a whopping 2000 percent! Even just a pinch of pepper can significantly boost turmeric’s bioavailability. And, truthfully, it does not alter the taste of coffee one bit.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon does more than just flavor your coffee – it is loaded with antioxidants, such as polyphenols. Research, published in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, reports that cinnamon also possesses the following therapeutic properties:
- Antioxidant
- Antidiabetic
- Antimicrobial
- Anticancer
- Lipid-lowering
- Cardiovascular-disease-lowering activity
- Brain protective
Add one teaspoon of cinnamon to your coffee to reap the benefits.
Coconut Oil
Replacing processed coffee creamers with organic coconut oil is a smart move. Although it may sound strange, the result is quite delicious and highly nutritious. The combination of caffeine and saturated fat gives the body a lasting energy boost.
Several studies have confirmed that coconut oil can increase good cholesterol HDL. In other studies, women and men followed a diet containing coconut oil and butter. Researchers found that coconut oil increased energy in study participants and was able to help with weight maintenance or weight loss.
Antioxidants in coconut oil fight free radicals and reduce oxidative stress, both of which count as the main culprits for osteoporosis. Additionally, coconut oil increases calcium absorption. Researchers have found that bone loss due to osteoporosis decreases in patients who take coconut oil regularly.
Prepare a tropical twisted coffee drink by brewing a high-quality organic cup of coffee and place it in a blender. Add in one tablespoon of organic coconut oil, local raw honey, turmeric, cinnamon, and black pepper – blend and enjoy.
Who’s ready for a cup of supercharged coffee?