Coffee is a daily ritual for many people. “Don’t talk to me until after I’ve had my morning coffee” is a phrase you’ve likely heard at least once in your life. While it’s true that, on its own, coffee has some nutritional benefits like antioxidants, there are myriad ways to make it healthier and more nourishing for your body and mind.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil in coffee has been having a moment in the wellness world. People who follow the ketogenic diet are especially fond of it, as the fat in coconut oil may help you maintain ketosis — the metabolic state that uses ketones rather than glucose. That’s because coconut oil is full of MCTs, medium-chain triglycerides, which are fats that are quickly absorbed in the body and then delivered to the liver, where they can be used as an energy source. So if you’re looking for an extra energy boost, try a little coconut oil in your next cup of coffee.
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Butter
Yes, butter! Butter coffee is an easy way to make your own Bulletproof-style coffee at home. Adding butter to your coffee — preferably unsalted, grass-fed butter or ghee — can also help with ketosis, like the aforementioned coconut oil. Butter will also help you feel fuller for longer, thanks to its high fat content.
Chaga mushroom
Mushrooms in coffee might sound a little odd, but don’t worry, we’re not suggesting you actually add some portobello to your morning brew. There are many beneficial medicinal mushrooms that are sold in ground-up powder form that are easy to add to coffee. Chaga mushroom is one of them. It boasts a ton of antioxidants that support full body wellness and immune support. If you want to make your coffee ritual a little more zen, try adding chaga.
Lion’s mane mushroom
You can add lion’s mane mushroom if you need a boost of focus and concentration. This powerful mushroom protects against memory loss and improves cognitive function when taken regularly. It also supports the body’s nervous system by stimulating NGF (nerve growth factor) production. NGF is responsible for maintaining and regenerating the neurons throughout our body. Adding in a bit of lion’s mane to your morning coffee is an easy way to promote brain health.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is a powerful adaptogen, which means it helps the body cope with stress and balances out your hormones. If you’re suffering from anxiety, adding some ashwagandha powder to your coffee daily will help you feel stronger and more even-keeled. However, you must use it daily to feel the benefits, as adaptogens do not work overnight.
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Cinnamon
Now if all of those coffee additives just seem a little too out there or woo-woo to you, simply sprinkle in some cinnamon to give your coffee a health boost. Not only does cinnamon taste great, it also lowers blood glucose and cholesterol levels.