6 Tips To Make Your Morning Coffee Healthier

It’s good news for coffee lovers, as it turns out that our favorite brew has health benefits in the form of antioxidants, and protection from a host of nasty ailments such as type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s, and breast cancer.

To make your morning cuppa even more beneficial, try giving these tips a go, and it may make coffee time even more enjoyable!

1. Drink a Glass of Water First

Although caffeine has a diuretic effect, your body does adjust to a consistent amount of it, which cancels out the dehydrating effect.

However, many of those who start the day with coffee find that they don’t drink enough water throughout the day. If that sounds like you, try drinking at least one cup of plain water when you wake up, and sip some throughout the day.

2. Don’t Have Artificial Sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners may be calorie free, but there is research to show that they can increase cravings. They are also linked to obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes, so try to wean yourself off them, or have a small amount of sugar instead.

3. Cut Down on Sugar

The recommended daily limit on added sugar is six teaspoons, so you can use some in your coffee. Keep track of how much you use by counting the packets, or use a measuring spoon. If you use creamer in your coffee, skip the sugar altogether.

4. Use Plant Based Milk or Grass Fed Dairy

Why not try a plant-based milk? You can get a wide variety of ‘milks’ such as almond, coconut, cashew, and other plant sources.

They are often much lower in calories than traditional milk, and they contain healthy monounsaturated fat. If you like the flavored or sweetened versions, keep an eye on how much you’re consuming.

If you don’t like plant-based milks, try and buy grass-fed and organic milk or cream for your coffee. Grass-fed dairy made this way has more nutrients and anti-inflammatory fatty acids.

5. Add Spices

A good hack for lowering your sugar intake is to use ‘sweet’ spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. They boost flavor and aroma, but they also contain antioxidants.

6. Have a ‘Coffee Nap”

We always think of coffee as a stimulant, but you can use it to your advantage if you want to take a short nap. The effects of coffee don’t kick in until about 20-30 minutes after drinking, so try taking a short sleep just after having a cup of coffee. Hopefully, you’ll wake up feeling refreshed and energized, but don’t try this too late in the day, or you may not get to sleep easily at night.