If You’re Drinking THESE In Your Morning Coffee, Beware

I love coffee. A day does not go by that I do not enjoy at least two cups (some days more like three or four) of delicious coffee. I like my coffee with cream and coconut crystals, though I also enjoy experimenting with variations from time to time. There are many great ingredients to try — for example, a coffee and banana smoothie is pretty great. However, there is one thing that I recommend never putting in your coffee: artificial creamer.

Years ago, I worked in several different offices. A few always had coffee brewed (which was amazing), and packets of those blue, green, brown and white artificial creamers. Alongside them was the large can of powdered creamer. Being an experimental person, I tried each type. While some tasted good in a sickeningly sweet sort of way, with each type, I was left with a nasty stomachache later in the day. I soon switched back to real half and half or cream.

It wasn’t until much later that I learned about how unhealthy artificial creamers — both powdered and liquid — actually are. The following are just a few ingredients you may find in them. Check labels closely for these.

Here are some things you’ll find in artificial creamers:

Sugar

Where to even start with sugar? You probably already know that it’s bad for you, especially in large doses. Too much sugar has been linked to a myriad of ailments, including tooth decay, heart disease, inflammation, diabetes and certain cancers. Best not put teaspoon after teaspoon into your body via your coffee.

Corn syrup

If there’s no sugar in your artificial creamer, there may be corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup or corn syrup solids. Corn syrup solids are made by bathing corn starch in hydrochloric acid. High fructose corn syrup is even worse for you than sugar, because it’s glucose-fructose ratio makes it go straight to your liver.

Trans fats

You’ll find these on the label listed as hydrogenated oils or partially hydrogenated oils. These fats are completely artificial and highly dangerous to your body. They have been associated with a higher risk of heart disease, inflammation and many other ailments. You don’t want any trans fats in your body.

Natural and artificial flavors

These can be made of just about any chemical combination and process out there. As far as natural flavors, they only have to start out as a natural product… they don’t end up that way. Some people may have allergic reactions to certain flavoring agents — and the fact that we don’t know what’s in them is disturbing in itself.

Sodium caseinate

Non-dairy creamers often contain sodium caseinate, which is made from dairy. So, if you’re dairy free and go for non-dairy creamer, you’re still getting something that came from dairy, in highly processed, chemically altered form. If you are highly allergic to dairy, consuming “non-dairy” artificial creamers may still be dangerous for this reason.

Sodium aluminosilicate

Some powdered non-dairy creamer products use a compound known as sodium aluminosilicate as an anti-caking agent. As the name suggests, this compound contains aluminum. This is disturbing because aluminum has been linked to bone disorders, Alzheimer’s disease and damage to cells.

So… that’s why you should probably skip those artificial coffee creamers in favor of the real stuff! Now, a few of the best companions for your coffee:

Organic milk or cream

The simplest, most natural choice to cream your coffee is to use real cream. Organic, full-fat cream, milk or half and half all work, depending on what you prefer. If you don’t do dairy, coconut milk and hemp milk are great options — just make sure the kind you purchase does not contain additives.

Coconut oil

Coconut oil is a highly nutritious natural fat. It contains a high amount of lauric acid, which has been linked to protecting against high blood pressure. Additionally, the medium-chain fatty acids found in coconut oil may help to improve your metabolism and enhance your body’s absorption of nutrients. Try blending a mug’s worth of coffee with about a tablespoon of coconut oil — you may like it more than you think.

Raw honey

Raw honey is a great way to sweeten your coffee; it’s arguably the healthiest sweetener out there. Not only may it help to soothe colds and coughs, it also has antibacterial properties and may help to diminish environmental allergy symptoms. If you don’t like honey in your coffee, try using organic coconut crystals as another healthy alternative.

Cinnamon

A sprinkle of cinnamon in your coffee introduces a world of benefits. Cinnamon is well known to be anti-inflammatory, and it has also been linked to regulating blood sugar and possessing antimicrobial properties. It may also help to improve memory and focus. Either stir your coffee with a cinnamon stick, or add some good-quality ground cinnamon — half a teaspoon will do the trick.

Raw cacao

Love chocolate? Try a teaspoon of ground raw cacao in your coffee! As the natural form of chocolate, this rich and delicious substance contains a wealth of minerals, vitamin E, healthy fats and antioxidants. It may also help to boost your mood and protect your cardiovascular system.

Coffee itself is a remarkably healthy beverage — don’t ruin it with artificial creamers! Which natural coffee additions are your favorites?

— Tanya Mead