The Ingredient That Will Elevate Your Coffee And Lower Your Cholesterol

Love letters have been written to coffee, songs have been sung in its praise, and everyone from "Gilmore Girls" actor Lorelai Gilmore, to Pope Clement VIII, have only one word for the caffeinated drink — delicious. Such has been the magic of coffee that even a cantata was composed in the 1730s about a certain young girl who found coffee to be far "more delicious than a thousand kisses." While enough has been said about it, coffee has several benefits beyond its taste.

Not only is coffee capable of giving an instant jolt of energy, but it may also help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, help manage weight, lower the risk of depression, and help support the brain and heart (via Healthline). All-in-all, drinking coffee in moderation has been linked to many health benefits. But you don't have to stop at just that — there are several ingredients that you can add to your morning java and make it even better for your health.

According to SciTechDaily, there are several spices that you should consider adding to your coffee. You can try turmeric to reduce inflammation, cinnamon to boost your immune system, and maca for its essential amino acids. There's one other spice that can give your coffee a boost of flavor and health benefits — ginger!

Ginger has several incredible health benefits. The superfood has long been used to treat nausea and morning sickness, aid in digestion, fight the symptoms of flu, lower blood sugar levels, and even reduce period pains (via Healthline). Some studies also suggest that ginger reduces LDL or bad cholesterol in the body. Adding ginger to coffee means adding its medicinal properties, too. In fact, Healthline notes that "coffee and ginger create one powerful free radical-fighting duo" as coffee also has significant levels of antioxidants.

This perhaps explains why several countries around the world already add ginger to their coffee. In the state of Kerala in India for example, a concoction called chukku kappi made up of dried ginger powder, black pepper, and coffee along with occasionally added other herbs, seeds, and spices, is often drunk as a home remedy for flu (via Onmanorama). Folks in Yemen enjoy a drink known as Qishr that is brewed using coffee husks, ginger, and sugar with cinnamon occasionally added to the mix (via Taste Atlas).

If the chukku kappi and Qishr seem too elaborate for busy mornings, SciTechDaily recommends simply stirring in some freshly grated or chopped raw ginger to your coffee and calling it a day. You could also use ground ginger but it won't dissolve well into your coffee. No matter how you choose to add the ginger, a little bit of spice is always nice, especially during the fall and winter seasons.