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<\/p>\nMany of us rely on our morning coffee \u2014 or \u201ccup of ambition,\u201d as Dolly Parton calls it \u2014 to wake up and start the day.<\/p>\n
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But what about the creams and sugars and syrups we add to that cup? Not only do they pack a caloric punch; they increase your grocery bill, too.<\/p>\n
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So what do you do if the bitterness of black coffee isn\u2019t your cup of tea? (Pun intended.) Fortunately, there\u2019s a great alternative: Add spices to your grounds to improve the taste and health quotient of your coffee.<\/p>\n
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Health Do\u2019s and Don\u2019ts of Coffee<\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019re drinking coffee every day, and multiple cups of it at that, you might wonder what effect it has on your body. Luckily, coffee has myriad health benefits.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Among these are reducing the risk of diseases like Cirrhosis, Parkinson\u2019s, Alzheimer\u2019s, and cancer; and supporting weight and diabetes management.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Coffee also contains vitamin B2, magnesium, and heart-healthy antioxidants; in fact, some studies state that \u201ccoffee is a primary source of dietary antioxidants for many Americans.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Because coffee is good for you, it\u2019s fine that we\u2019re drinking so much of it \u2014 right? Well, that depends on what you\u2019re putting into your cup. Dairy creamers are a decadent treat, but if you\u2019re adding them every day, you may not be getting the full health benefits of coffee.<\/p>\n Dr. Mark Hyman, author of The Pegan Diet, tells Katie Couric Media that \u201cmany coffee creamers are made of junk dairy from conventional cows that have been pumped full of antibiotics, which is then added to artificial flavorings, inflammatory oils, and sweeteners.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n You absolutely want to avoid this. It\u2019s the worst way to start your day.\u201d He continues by claiming that coffee creamer \u201csets you up for a blood sugar roller coaster, cravings, weight gain, and mood swings.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you\u2019re willing to give up sugary creamer but can\u2019t stand the taste of coffee on its own, you could consider adding milk; however, some studies have also shown that adding milk to coffee can decrease its antioxidant load.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Without sugar or milk, what\u2019s a health-conscious, non-plain-coffee lover to do? Try seasoning your coffee grounds with these five options before brewing to give your cup a flavorful kick without the added calories. As an added bonus, you probably have most of these in your pantry already.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 1. Salt<\/strong><\/p>\n Okay, okay. Salt is not a spice; it\u2019s a mineral. But since spices and minerals are both organic materials \u2014 and because most people use salt to flavor their food, just like you would a spice \u2014 it\u2019s on the list.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Also, putting salt in coffee is a common practice in numerous cultures. While this may seem counterintuitive, studies show that salt reduces coffee\u2019s bitterness.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sara Marquart of The Coffee Excellence Center explains that \u201csalt naturally brings out the sweetness of coffee and maintains pleasant aromas. If people are sensitive to bitterness \u2026 adding salt is a good alternative to using milk and sugar.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Cooking Light recommends putting about \u215b teaspoon of salt directly into your coffee grounds before brewing for optimal results.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2. Cinnamon<\/strong><\/p>\n Aside from making your kitchen smell amazing, there are many pros to putting a pinch of cinnamon in your coffee grounds.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Cinnamon may help with everything from allergies to diabetes management to the prevention of diseases like cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer\u2019s.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It also tastes delicious \u2014 bringing out a subtle sweetness sans sugar. Just take care not to consume too much cinnamon, since some products contain coumarin, a chemical compound which may be harmful in large amounts.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ceylon cinnamon (Buy now on Amazon, $5.80), which is one of the two main kinds of cinnamon (along with Cassia) found commercially, contains less of this compound, making it a safer option.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 3. Ginger<\/strong><\/p>\n You\u2019ve probably heard of ginger tea \u2014 but did you know that ginger pairs well with coffee, too? It\u2019s warming, zesty, and perfect for the cozy transition from summer to fall.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It\u2019s also packed with antioxidants and can support healthy aging. Additionally, if coffee upsets your stomach, sprinkling some ginger into your coffee grounds may help combat your symptoms, due to ginger\u2019s natural ability to ease nausea.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 4. Cocoa Powder<\/strong><\/p>\n If your morning go-to is a mocha but you want to kick your sugar habit, consider cocoa. Adding a sprinkle of cocoa powder to your coffee grounds infuses your java with chocolatey goodness and some health advantages to boot.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Cocoa powder reduces inflammation, strengthens the immune system, promotes brain health, and helps you maintain a healthy weight, among other benefits.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Keep in mind that in order to reap the most rewards, the powder you use should be at least 72 percent cocoa (Buy from Walmart, $9.99).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 5. Lavender<\/strong><\/p>\n Time to wake up and smell the lavender. This purple flower is packed with health benefits: It can help prevent hair loss, ease pain and digestive issues, and combat anxiety (so if your third cup of coffee is giving you the jitters, lavender may come to the rescue).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lavender is one of the few things in life that tastes as good as it smells, so sprinkle some culinary-grade stuff (Buy from Walmart, $9.45) into your coffee grounds for a sweet kick to your cup.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n No matter your flavor preferences, you will undoubtedly find a spice that takes your morning cup of coffee to the next level \u2014 and because it\u2019s healthy, you can even pour yourself another cup, guilt-free. I can raise a mug to that.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Many of us rely on our morning coffee \u2014 or \u201ccup of ambition,\u201d as Dolly Parton calls it \u2014 to wake up and start the day. But what about the creams and sugars and syrups we add to that cup? Not only do they pack a caloric punch; they increase your grocery bill, too….<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":66102,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[25042],"tags":[],"yst_prominent_words":[3889],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ghanadmission.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/download-7.jpeg?fit=276%2C183&ssl=1","yoast_head":"\n