If you know me, then you have probably heard me talk about coffee. It is the first thing I do in the morning. Did you know that coffee is the primary source of dietary antioxidants in the American diet? The research says that at least three to five cups of coffee should be consumed per day. The benefits of consuming coffee regularly are improved motor and cognition in the brain, anti-inflammatory properties, an increase in antioxidants, reduction in diabetes incidence, decrease in liver disease, decrease in Parkinson’s disease, decreased depression, and cardiovascular benefits to name a few. I like to take this a step further and make sure I am getting all of the benefits I can out of my morning brew. Sure, I like to just enjoy the notes of caramel and milk chocolate in my cup, but I also like to add extra benefit to it. How can I add anything to the perfect cup of coffee? I start with ten ounces of a freshly brewed pour-over, preferably Ethiopian or Brazil. I then add Kerry Gold grass-fed butter, real vanilla, organic coconut oil, and Ceylon cinnamon to my blender. This increases the benefits of so many more nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.
Grass-fed Butter
-Contains conjugated linoleic acid which reduces belly fat, helps protect against free radicals, provides anti-cancer agents, and supports muscle growth-Good source of lauric acid, important for treating fungal infections and candida.-Contains arachidonic acid which plays a role in brain function as well as the development of cell membranes.-Contains butyrate, which is a short-chain fatty acid that reduces inflammation-Good source of absorbable vitamin A. vitamin A is good for the thyroid, adrenals, and cardiovascular health-Awesome source of vitamin K2 which helps to reverse arterial calcification and increase bone density-Good source of vitamin D which virtually all Americans are deficient in. Vitamin D is important for many cellular processes in the body.-Also contains beneficial nutrients such as lecithin, selenium, magnesium, zinc, copper, iodine, and many more.-Helps your body absorb minerals.-Is a source of absorbable iodine-Is a good source of energy because the body does not store it in adipose tissue.-Protects against gastrointestinal infections.
Vanilla
Besides being one of my favorite spices to cook with, vanilla has tons of benefits besides tasting delicious. My grandmother even used to use vanilla as perfume. There are many, many “vanilla imitations” out there with no nutritional value to you. “Natural flavors” is the phrase used by marketers to get you to buy their knock-off of the real thing. “Natural vanilla,” which is actually artificial, has been known to be derived from pine bark, coal tar, bran, and even cow dung. I don’t know about you, but cow dung is the last thing I want in my coffee. The best way to purchase quality vanilla is to look at the label on the back. Make sure it is organic. Organic vanilla will be free of pesticides, fertilizers, and all types of other chemicals.The benefits of real vanilla are: - It helps with neurotransmitter production which is responsible for serotonin and dopamine production. These are the “feel-good” hormones. - It’s a good source of magnesium, calcium, potassium, manganese, and B vitamins.- It provides anti-inflammatory benefits and lowers stress levels.
Organic Coconut Oil
Need I even go into the many benefits of a good coconut oil? A few of the benefits of coconut oil:-Fights inflammation -Boosts immunity-Is a sleep aid-Kills candida and fungus-Balances hormones-Supports digestion-Relieves constipation-Helps to burn fat-Has anti-cancer properties-Helps to prevent bone loss and osteoporosis risk-Brain health properties-Stabilizes blood sugar and prevents diabetes-Helps with eczema and psoriasis-Balances cholesterol levels-Helps the body absorb fat-soluble vitamins
Ceylon Cinnamon
Ceylon cinnamon, also known as true cinnamon or Mexican cinnamon, has the lowest levels of coumarin, a substance known to cause liver and kidney damage. -Contains powerful antioxidants -The very scent of cinnamon boosts brain function-Blood sugar regulator-Anti-inflammatory food-Anti-clotting factors-Anti-fungal and antibacterial factors
My Recipe
My personal recipe for coffee in the morning is 10 oz fair trade, organic single origin coffee, 1 tbsp of Brain Octane®, 1 tbsp of KerryGold® butter, 1 tsp or real vanilla and 1 tsp of Ceylon cinnamon. I sprinkle my coffee with Ceylon cinnamon to top it off.If you are looking for a partner in regaining your health, or just want to maintain your health in a better way, please schedule an appointment with Archetype by clicking here. Our services include chiropractic care, car accident injury care, nutritional consultation, and muscle manipulation. This article is part of an ongoing series of articles based on the five foundations of health, written by Birmingham chiropractor Dr. John Palmer
