A doctor has shared the simple ingredient you can add to coffee to make it healthy
A doctor, who graduated from Harvard University, has shared how adding a certain sweet treat to coffee could make it the healthiest beverage choice. Dr Saurabh Sethi, a gastroenterologist, often shares his advice and expertise with his 1.3m Instagram followers (@doctor.sethi).
The 42-year-old has previously urged people to avoid taking too much ibuprofen due to its impact on gut health, and has now issued advice on making your morning coffee a bit healthier. In a recent clip, Dr Sethi said adding one simple item to your coffee could make it the healthiest beverage choice, reports NeedToKnow.
In the clip, which has racked up 119,000 views and over 2,000 likes, he said: “Most people are missing out on three simple additions to their coffee.”
First up is cinnamon. The doctor added: “Just a pinch of cinnamon can help lower blood sugar spikes and add powerful antioxidants. “
According to Healthline, studies show that cinnamon can lower blood glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides in diabetics. To lower the risk of potential side effects, people can opt for Ceylon cinnamon instead of the more common Cassia cinnamon.
Next, Dr Sethi suggests adding MCT (medium-chain triglycerides) oil to your coffee. MCTs are fats found in foods like coconut oil, and MCT oil is a supplement that contains a lot of these fats and is claimed to have many health benefits.
The doctor added: “Second is MCT oil. It is derived from coconuts and it gives a steady energy boost, as well as supporting brain health.”
Unlike longer-chain fatty acids, MCTs may go straight to your liver, where they could be used as an instant energy source or turned into ketones. Ketones are substances produced when the liver breaks down large amounts of fat.
In contrast with regular fatty acids, ketones can cross from the blood to the brain. This provides an alternative energy source for the brain, which ordinarily uses glucose for fuel, reports Healthline.
Finally, the doctor also recommends adding dark chocolate powder to coffee. Dr Sethi said: “Rich in polyphenols, it works with coffee to feed your good gut bacteria. In fact, studies show that these polyphenols in chocolate can help increase the levels of beneficial gut bacteria like lactobacillus and bifidobacteria.”
Dark chocolate is loaded with organic compounds that are biologically active and function as antioxidants. The antioxidants found in dark chocolate may play a role in lowering LDL “bad” cholesterol, preventing cell damage, protecting against arterial stiffness, improving blood glucose management and boosting brain health.