Ah, coffee. Many of us indulge in a cup (or more) every morning to help us take on the day. And luckily, black coffee also comes with an array of health benefits in addition to the much-needed caffeine boost. But an issue can arise when you add certain ingredients to the mix. Many popular coffee add-ins, such as refined sugar, artificial sweetener, creamers, and sweetened milks come with health consequences that could be detrimental to your weight loss goals. But that doesn’t mean plain black coffee is the only way to go if you want to lose weight! As it turns out, there are many healthy ingredients you can add to your cup of joe that could actually help you shed those pounds.
To discover a few of the healthiest coffee ingredients that can be your secret weapons as you navigate your weight loss journey, we spoke to Dr. Gretchen San Miguel, MD and Chief Medical Officer for Medi-Weightloss, Dr. Nancy Lin, PhD and XPRO for YogaSix GO, Dana Ellis Hunnes, PhD, RD, and author of Recipe For Survival, Trista Best, nutritionist for Balance One Supplements, Christine VanDoren, certified personal trainer and nutritionist, and Lisa Richards, registered nutritionist and creator of the Candida Diet. . They told us that turmeric, cinnamon, and monk fruit are all fantastic options. Learn more about the benefits of each of these choices below.
1. Turmeric
Although turmeric might not be the first thing that pops into your head when you think of coffee ingredients, it can actually add a delicious, earthy taste to your morning beverage—and even better, it can pack in incredible, waist-slimming benefits.
This famously yellow spice offers up a healthy dose of an anti-inflammatory compound called curcumin, which is great for weight loss. "Spices [containing curcumin] have a thermogenic effect on the body and cause the body to generate more heat, thus burning more calories," says Lin.
San Miguel seconds this recommendation: "The antioxidant property of turmeric can help decrease insulin resistance, blood sugar, cholesterol levels, and other metabolic conditions resulting from obesity," she says. Who knew?
2. Cinnamon
Okay, if turmeric isn't your thing, here's something a little sweeter. Although it's best to cut out sugar for your overall health (especially if weight loss is your goal), cinnamon adds a great bit of natural sweetness. Not only does it taste great and cozy in a cup of coffee, but Hunnes and Best agree that it could even help you lose weight.
"If you add cinnamon to coffee (especially ceylon cinnamon, which is the real cinnamon), it can make coffee even healthier," she says. "Cinnamon has been shown to improve insulin response."
Best adds that the anti-inflammatory benefits are another great reason to add this warm spice to your cup. "Reducing inflammation in the body has an almost direct impact on preventing or reducing obesity and overall body weight," she says. "By cutting down on inflammation, your metabolism is better able to burn calories at an efficient rate." Perfect!
3. Monk fruit (used in place of sugar)
Many people choose artificial sweetener in place of sugar, but the unfortunate truth is that this isn't necessarily a healthier choice. Instead, choosing natural sweeteners, such as monk fruit, is the best way to go.
"Monk fruit appears to be one of the most natural options," says VanDoren. "It also contains zero calories per serving so it will not contribute to any weight gain. The FDA considers the sweetener to be safe, and there are no known harmful side effects."
"Monk fruit makes a great alternative to creamer and sugar for sweetening purposes," Richards agrees. She suggests that there are added benefits to monk fruit, including anti-inflammatory properties that could help aid weight loss. "It is naturally sweet and it is high in antioxidants," she explains. "This means you are not only avoiding inflammatory ingredients in processed creamers or sugar, but you are also giving your body anti-inflammatory nutrients." Lower inflammation levels could lead to a healthier body overall.
The bottom line
Ultimately, although you may have to sacrifice many of your go-to coffee ingredients for a slimmer waistline, there are still plenty of amazing options to choose from. So try sprinkling some turmeric, cinnamon, or monk fruit into your mug. Your body will thank you—and your taste buds probably will, too!
READ MORE: Cut Out This One Coffee Ingredient For A Faster Metabolism, Dietitians Say
