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Turbining coffee with cinnamon, saffron, mushroom can bring incredible benefits

Edited and resized image Nathan Dumlao, is available on Unsplash

Coffee, if consumed in moderation, can be a great health ally, being the main source of antioxidants in the Western diet. But boosting your coffee with the following tips can turn it into a super drink full of antioxidants and other beneficial compounds! Check out:

• Eight Incredible Coffee Benefits

1. Sprinkle cinnamon

Sprinkling cinnamon on the coffee is a great way to supercharge this drink. It has antioxidant, antidiabetic, bactericidal, fungicidal properties and also prevents cancer and cardiovascular disease.

The antioxidants present in cinnamon protect the body against oxidative damage caused by free radicals (see the studies here: 1 ,2 ,3).

A study that compared the antioxidant activity of 26 spices concluded that cinnamon was the richest spice in antioxidant, surpassing foods like garlic and oregano.

Still other studies have shown that its antioxidants have significant anti-inflammatory activity. It lowers levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol (considered "bad") and triglycerides, while HDL cholesterol (considered "good cholesterol") remains stable (see study here).

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Other good news is that it can dramatically reduce insulin resistance, helping this important hormone do its job, preventing diabetes (see studies here: 4, 5).

According to three more studies, cinnamon has two compounds capable of inhibiting a protein in the brain whose accumulation is associated with Alzheimer's disease (see studies 13, 14, 15 here).

In another analysis done with rats with Parkinson's disease, cinnamon helped protect neurons, normalize neurotransmitter levels and improve motor function.

Another study in mice with colon cancer showed that cinnamon is a potent activator of colon detoxifying enzymes, protecting against cancer growth.

Cinnamaldehyde, its main active component, can help fight bacteria such as Listeria and the salmonella (check the studies here: 21, 22).

Cinnamon's antimicrobial effects may also help prevent tooth decay and reduce bad breath, according to two other studies (see here: 23, 24).

Using this spice in your daily life is a great way to turbine your coffee. Learn more about it in the article: "Cinnamon: benefits and how to make cinnamon tea".

2. Use ginger

How about topping up the coffee with ginger chips for an aromatic and very healthy drink?

Ginger, in addition to helping to fight nausea, has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which can reduce muscle pain, cholesterol and aid digestion. It warms the stomach and is a tonic for the digestive system. It also has antibacterial properties that help in curing stomach ailments. Its antioxidant effects have a positive effect on overall stomach health.

An animal study found that ginger is an effective treatment against the bacteria. E. coli.

Another study found that in addition to acting as a medicine for diarrhea, ginger reduces nausea, vomiting, gas and abdominal spasms.

Pigs, which often have bacterial infections, have improved with the use of ginger, according to the study.

Ginger is still an excellent thermogenic, which means it speeds up your metabolism and helps you lose weight. Learn more about this topic in the article: "The 12 best thermogenic foods".

To supercharge the coffee add up to a teaspoon of ginger per cup.

Learn more about ginger in the article: "Benefits of ginger and your tea".

3. Add mushroom

It seems strange to supercharge the coffee with mushrooms. But this can be very beneficial as mushrooms have antiviral, anti-inflammatory qualities and act as an immune booster. Loaded with antioxidants, they have anticancer effects, can prevent liver disease, and act as prebiotics in the gut (see studies on this: 1, 2, 3).

• What are prebiotic foods?

But not all mushrooms are the same, if you want more energy, add mushroom powder cordyceps. If you want help with stress and sleep, use mushrooms reishi. But if you have insomnia it might be better to avoid coffee. Understand this theme better in the article: "Coffee is bad for your health?".

4. Put saffron

The curcumin present in turmeric has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help detox the liver, digestion and even fight depression.

Use this spice to supercharge your coffee. Learn more about turmeric in the article: "Learn about the benefits of turmeric, turmeric".

5. Try Peruvian maca

Perhaps you've heard of litter powder. It has traditionally been used to increase fertility. It helps balance hormone production, athletic performance, energy levels and sexual performance, and is nutritious.

Maca contains more than 20 amino acids (including eight essential amino acids), 20 free form fatty acids and is rich in protein and vitamin C.

Use one to three scoops a day to turbo charge the coffee. Learn more about it in the article: "Peruvian Maca: Learn about its health benefits".

6. Enjoy cocoa

Cocoa is a great anti-inflammatory, lowers blood pressure, raises HDL (good) cholesterol and lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol. It even improves mood by acting with an antidepressant.

But best of all, it helps to balance the anxiety caused by over-consumption of coffee. A perfect couple. Learn more about this topic in the articles: "Learn about the benefits of cocoa" and "Coffee without anxiety? Mix cocoa!".