Don’t get us wrong, we’re not hating on matcha or herbal teas — they’re yummy and loaded with tons of antioxidants and nutrients. But we love our coffee! And we’re not giving it up anytime soon. When enjoyed in moderation, coffee can be a healthy addition to your diet (just don’t disturb your sleep with a cup too late in the afternoon or evening).
That said, what you put in your cup matters! So, if you’re loading up your coffee with creamer and sugar, you’re taking away all those beneficial effects. But, on the contrary, if you’re filling your already antioxidant-rich brew with a spoonful of superfoods or healthy add-ins, your coffee can be that much more beneficial! Speaking of superfood add-ins, there are so many yummy ways to support all your health needs by mixing in an additional ingredient or two. From boosting your energy and mood to calming anxiety and inflammation, find out the best (research-backed) ways to boost your coffee.
Moderation + Preparation: Key Ingredients to a Healthy Cup
Before you start sipping, there are some important factors to consider. First, it’s important to note that moderation is key when it comes to coffee intake. Too much caffeine can lead to things like increased anxiety, jitters, and sleep disturbances. Like most things, balance is a must! Try to limit your coffee intake to 1-3 cups per day and avoid drinking it in the afternoon or evening.
Second, how you prep your coffee is equally as important. As best you can, try to avoid low-quality coffee, artificial and excess sweeteners, and heavy-handed pours of calorie-rich creamers. Instead, stick to the good stuff — healthy coffee boosters!
That said, always listen to your body. Coffee doesn’t agree with everyone. Luckily, there are tons of tasty alternatives, like matcha, herbal tea, and stress-busting coffee alternatives. Plus, there’s always decaf!
8 Superfood Coffee Additions for All Your Needs
#1 Reishi: When You Want a Calming Cup
Forget the coffee jitters — sip your way to calm with this soothing cup! Infusing your mug with a serving of Reishi powder is a simple stress-reducing strategy you’ll want to add to your daily routine. Reishi, known as the Queen of Mushrooms, has been deemed (by science and ancient Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic practitioners) one of the best stress-reducing ingredients. As an adaptogenic herb, Reishi helps bring the body back to balance during times of stress and anxiety. Shifting the body out of a sympathetic (fight or flight state) helps to boost mood and regulate stress hormones!
When taken consistently, Reishi has been shown to reduce inflammation and even contains anti-aging properties, thanks to its free-radical fighting antioxidants! So many reasons to add this soothing superfood to your cup.
While Reishi can be mixed into any coffee or latte, it pairs best with cacao! The duo offers a subtly sweet flavor with double the stress-busting benefits!
#2 Cordyceps: When You Want a To Improve Endurance & Stamina
When you need some extra energy (without the added caffeine), add a serving of cordyceps to your cup of joe. Cordyceps is best known for its ability to improve performance and support endurance. Based on research, cordyceps is thought to increase the body’s natural supply of ATP while improving oxygen availability and stamina during exercise. With more available oxygen and energy, your muscles can work longer and harder! Sounds like the perfect pre-workout energy boost, if you ask me!
And thanks to its powerful anti-inflammatory properties, cordyceps is also great at speeding recovery. By reducing inflammation, you’ll aid the post-workout repair and rebuild process.
P.S. These energy-boosting, inflammation-reducing benefits can support you whether you’re hitting a workout or not! But, if you’re looking for something to keep you sustained through sweat sesh, try this Coffee + Cordyceps Pre-workout Smoothie. Made with banana, oats, coffee, and cordyceps, your energy levels will be soaring!
Ingredients:
- ½ – 1 cup brewed coffee, chilled*
- ¼ – ½ cup creamy non-dairy milk, such as oat, cashew, or almond*
- 1 banana, frozen
- ¼ cup rolled oats
- 1 tsp cordyceps
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Dash cinnamon
- 1 scoop vanilla protein, optional
- Ice, to blend
*Note: Less liquid will yield a thicker smoothie.
Directions:
Step #1: Add coffee, non-dairy milk, and ice to a blender. Then, add in the remaining ingredients and blend until smooth. If the smoothie is too thick, add more liquid.
Step #2: Taste test, adjusting any ingredients as necessary. Serve and enjoy!
#3 Collagen: When You Want to Support Skin & Digestion
Whether you’re looking to support digestion, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, aid muscle repair and recovery, or simply boost your protein intake, collagen does it all. As the most abundant protein in our body, collagen provides structure to our skin, hair, nails, bones, and muscles — even our gastrointestinal lining!
One of our favorite benefits? Its anti-aging benefits. Yep, by adding collagen to your coffee, you could sip your way to youthful skin. Research suggests supplementing with collagen can actually reverse the loss of age-dependent collagen synthesis — something that occurs naturally as we age.
And if you struggle with indigestion or a bloated belly, adding a scoop of collagen to your coffee could help too! Collagen helps support the gut wall lining, thereby reducing symptoms of digestive upset.
The best part? It won’t change the flavor or the taste! Plus, blending collagen with hot coffee yields that perfect coffee froth we all know and love. Try adding a teaspoon of coconut oil or pinch of cinnamon for sustained energy and natural sweetness!
#4 Cacao: When You Want a Natural Mood Enhancer
Rich in flavonoids, magnesium, and zinc, cacao is loaded with natural properties that boost mood and satisfy your sweet tooth – in a healthy way! Unlike sugary milk chocolate, unsweetened cocoa or cacao powder, raw cacao nibs, or 70% or darker dark chocolate, contains antioxidants that have been shown to boost mood, reduce stress, and even support cognitive function.
So if you woke up on the wrong side of the bed, have a stressful day ahead, or simply want to enjoy a chocolatey cup of coffee, this superfood addition is calling your name! Make a warm mocha java by blending a tablespoon into your coffee, or turn it into a yummy latte with the addition of your favorite steamed non-dairy milk.
#5 Ashwagandha: When You Want to Soothe Stress
Ashwagandha was one of the first adaptogenic superfoods to receive mainstream media attention for its powerful stress-soothing benefits. It’s most commonly used for stress, anxiety, sleep, and energy. And research backs it up! A research study found that ashwagandha helped to improve resistance to stress. To absorb all of ashwagandha’s good-for-you benefits, it’s best taken on a consistent basis — AKA, you’ll want to make this a must-have coffee mix-in!
With bitter properties of its own, coffee helps hide the pungent taste of ashwagandha, which can be otherwise difficult to mask. Try mixing a serving size (check the back of your specific Ashwagandha powder bag) with freshly brewed coffee, steamed full-fat non-dairy milk (like oat or cashew milk), a sprinkle of cinnamon, and dash of all-natural sweetener.
#6 Turmeric: When You Want to Bust Inflammation
Turmeric is the MVP of inflammation-busting ingredients. But, really, the spotlight should be on curcumin, turmeric’s active ingredient! Aside from calming inflammation, curcumin has been shown to support digestion and even support immune function.
While it’s most commonly used in juices, smoothies, and stir fries, its earthy flavor pairs surprisingly well with coffee! For a no-fail recipe, try blending an espresso shot or ½ cup of warmed coffee into the infamous golden milk latte!
#7 Coconut Oil: When You Want a Steady Stream of Energy
When you want a steady stream of energy, add a teaspoon of coconut oil to your mug! Filled with MCTs, healthy fats known as medium-chain triglycerides, coconut oil may increase satiety and support weight loss efforts.
Coconut oil is best combined with warm beverages — stir it into a hot coffee or blend it with warmed non-dairy milk for a frothy latte! That said, a little goes a long way. Start with a small teaspoon-sized serving and see how you like it added to your coffee!
#8 Cinnamon: When You Want to Reduce Sugar Cravings
Cinnamon and coffee — a match made in heaven. From cinnamon honey lattes to plain old cinnamon-sprinkled coffee, there’s no wrong way to enjoy this duo! Aside from elevating the taste of your cup (a hint of natural sweetness without the added sugar), this superfood comes with lots of health benefits too. This sweet and spicy superfood contains powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and has even been shown to help support metabolism.
Adding cinnamon to your coffee is easy. Simply mix ½ teaspoon into any cup of coffee or latte. It tastes delicious (and enhances the flavor) of nearly all coffee beverages — you really can’t go wrong! You can even brew your coffee with cinnamon mixed into the grounds.
The Ultimate Superfood Coffee Recipe
- 1 cup brewed coffee, hot or warm
- ¼ cup non-dairy milk of choice, warmed or frothed
- 1 tsp coconut oil
- 1 tsp raw honey, optional
- 1 scoop collagen peptides, optional
- 1 tsp cacao
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp superfood powder of choice (such as ashwagandha, lion’s mane, or cordyceps)
Directions:
Step #1: Add all the ingredients to a high-speed blender and blend until smooth and frothy.
Step #2: Taste test and adjust any ingredients as needed. Pour into a mug and enjoy!
Healthy Coffee Hacks: Additional Ways to Elevate Your Cup
Go Dairy-Free
While some tolerate dairy just fine, some experience a range of dairy-induced symptoms such as GI upset. With so many creamy dairy-free options on the market (think: oat milk, coconut milk, macadamia nut milk, even pistachio milk), swapping out dairy has never been easier.
You can even make your own dairy-free milk or creamer with ease!
Say Goodbye to Sugar
Want to sweeten up your mug but don’t want the artificial sweeteners, flavors, and sugar? Try an all-natural option. Here are some of our favorites:
- Raw honey (hello, honey cinnamon latte)
- Maple syrup (perfect for fall-flavored beverages)
- Coconut sugar (a natural alternative to white sugar)
- Medjool dates (natures candy)
- Pure stevia (for a low-carb option)
Add a Boost of Protein
There’s a reason Proffee (coffee plus protein) is trending all over TikTok — it’s just as healthy as it is delicious!
Aside from boosting your mug with collagen, you can add a scoop of plant-based protein powder or a tablespoon of protein-rich superfoods like hemp seeds to your coffee blend. It’s a tasty way to increase the protein content of your beverage while boosting satiety. Plus, it makes your cup ultra creamy and frothy. What’s not to love?
The Takeaway
When enjoyed in moderation and with the right ingredients, coffee can be a beneficial part of your morning! Instead of loading up your cup with sugar or artificial sweeteners and flavors, try swapping your not-so-healthy fixings for these superfood add-ins. Whether you’re trying to boost energy, bust stress, or improve performance, there are so many all-natural ingredients to support whatever you’re needing. Rich in nutrients and loaded with good-for-you benefits, start spooning these coffee additions into your morning mug!
