Coffee can help brighten up the day, ease stress and provide a steady boost. Packed with antioxidants that prevent free radical cell damage, it’s one of the main sources of these healthful compounds for most adults – but many don’t realize you can make your cup even healthier by adding different ingredients and brewing methods – from beans with fine grindings and hot water through to wellness add-ins for focus, inflammation reduction or sweet tooth satisfaction – without additional sugar!

For optimal health benefits from coffee drinking, use beans grown at high altitude and select a light roast with no excessive darkness. Grind this powder finely using an electric grinder before filtering out grounds before pouring. Glass or ceramic cups provide more nutritional benefits compared to plastic or styrofoam cups; additional calories could come from added milk and cream in these options.

Coffee’s health benefits stem largely from polyphenols, which protect against cardiovascular disease and some cancers. Arnot suggests drinking four to five 8-ounce cups daily – this amount falls within the FDA’s recommended daily caffeine limit (around 400 milligrams).

Honey and coconut sugar are popular additions to coffee, offering sweet flavor as well as health benefits. Honey can help regulate blood sugar while offering antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral benefits; choosing the appropriate variety of coconut sugar allows for beverages with lower caloric intake than conventional sweeteners.

Cinnamon is another beloved ingredient, thanks to its warm and cozy flavors which pair perfectly with roasted coffee. Cinnamon helps regulate glucose and cholesterol levels while offering anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties. Mushroom coffee has also recently emerged as a functional drink with varieties such as lion’s mane, chaga and cordyceps offering immunity support and energy balance benefits.

Vanilla and almond extracts are other alternatives that offer natural sweetness with less calories than sugar, as well as protein, vitamins and minerals. Or try something dairy-free such as cashews which have heart-healthy fats while being an excellent source of magnesium.