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How to Make Your Coffee Health-Minded, Including Best Additions

By Ethan Boldt

August 20, 2025

Coffee is one of the most common beverages consumed in the world, and it also surprisingly ranks as the No. 1 source of antioxidants for a high percentage of people.

Does that make coffee healthy? By itself, yes, black coffee is considered to be good for you. (See below.)

But as you probably know, when you start adding other ingredients to coffee, you can either make this magical liquid better or worse for you. With that in mind, we take a deep dive into the most popular additions to coffee and what can make it more health-minded (and delicious) vs. what you really should leave out.

Black coffee

Black coffee provides a range of potential health benefits, thanks to its high antioxidant content and natural stimulating effects.

Here’s a closer look at the benefits:

• Boosts energy and focus: The caffeine in black coffee acts as a stimulant by blocking adenosine, a neurotransmitter linked to tiredness. This leads to greater alertness, sharper focus, and enhanced cognitive performance.

• Improves physical performance: Caffeine can boost endurance, delay fatigue and promote fat oxidation, making it a useful aid for exercise and athletic performance.

• Supports healthy weight management: By increasing the metabolism, black coffee may help the body burn more calories and support weight loss. It may also assist with appetite control.

• Rich in antioxidants: Black coffee delivers powerful antioxidants that help protect cells from oxidative damage caused by free radicals.

• Supports overall health: Regular coffee consumption is linked to cardiovascular health and liver health support in addition to healthy blood sugar levels.

Milks

Worthy additions:

• Whole milk: Whole milk contains vitamin D (skim does not) and that little bit of fat can help satiate you plus offer the ideal taste profile for many. If you’re lactose intolerant, consider a lactose-free milk or A2 milk.

• Oat milk: While you want to go with unsweetened oat milk made from whole grain oats and a minimum of additives, oat milk offers a creamy texture and can also froth well.

• Coconut milk: Dairy-free, its natural fat offers a creamy texture and the coconut itself lends a subtle sweetness. In addition, coconut milk is considered a performance fat. To keep from separating, consider using a blender or frother to mix well.

Unworthy additions:

• Skim milk: It doesn’t contain vitamin D, plus won’t produce that creamy, rich texture that most of us prefer with our cup of Joe.

• Almond milk: Almond milk also doesn’t froth very well and can be thinner, plus its almond flavor doesn’t sit well with many coffee drinkers.

Creamers and fats

Worthy additions:

• Coconut oil: This performance fat can create a creamy texture and add a subtle coconut flavor that many people enjoy.

• Butter: The famous butter coffee is simply adding a small pat to your hot black coffee. It can help create a sense of fullness and is also considered the classic “keto coffee.”

• Half-and-half: Many people swear by half-and-half in their coffee but just remember that a little goes a long way.

Unworthy additions:

• Cream: Excessively rich and very high in saturated fats, it’s best to avoid the habit of adding cream to your coffee.

• Nondairy creamers: These are loaded with ultra-processed ingredients. Avoid.

Sweeteners

Worthy additions:

• Stevia: It’s 300 times sweeter than sugar, so very little goes a long way. It also doesn’t affect your blood sugar levels.

• Maple syrup: Loaded with antioxidants, it can add a pleasant flavor to your coffee.

• Honey: Adding earthy and floral notes to the coffee, many folks swear by mineral-rich honey.

Unworthy additions:

• Sugar: Any kind of sugar contains fructose, which is linked to many health problems.

• Sweetened condensed milk: While many like the sweetness and creaminess, it’s both rich and full of fructose.

• Artificial sweeteners: These can be harmful for our gut bacteria.

Cocoa (mocha)

Worthy additions:

• Cocoa (or cacao) powder: To make your own mocha, add antioxidant-rich cocoa powder and mix well with a frother or blender. The best form is 100% cacao and unsweetened.

• Cocoa (or cacao) nibs: These are like the powder but can add a darker, more intense chocolate flavor.

• Dark chocolate: Adding a square or two of dark chocolate (71% or higher cacao) to hot chocolate is a delicious way to have coffee and chocolate at once.

Unworthy additions:

• Sugar: Many so-called cafe mochas are loaded with sugar. Not needed!

• Milk chocolate: This form of chocolate doesn’t marry as well with coffee, plus adds unneeded higher levels of sugar while it doesn’t contain as much antioxidant-rich cacao as dark chocolate.

Spices

Worthy additions:

• Cinnamon: This popular choice adds warmth and a slightly sweet flavor. Ideally go with Ceylon, the highest quality cinnamon. Recommended for healthy blood sugar levels.

• Nutmeg: For a slightly nutty and holiday flavor, nutmeg adds both depth and warmth to your coffee. It’s great for digestive health.

• Cardamom: Usually found in culinary dishes, it’s also a welcome add to coffee for its aromatic, slightly floral flavor. It’s also great for digestive health.

• Ginger: Related to cardamom, ginger adds a bit of spice and supports healthy inflammation levels.

Unworthy additions:

• Cayenne: While some like this addition, most find it too spicy for their taste unless they use very little.

• Grassy spices: Most of these spices like rosemary, thyme or sage don’t blend well with coffee.

• Some savory spices: Cumin or coriander can clash with the flavor of coffee.

Powders (including collagen)

Worthy additions:

• Collagen: One of the most mixable powders with coffee, collagen offers joint, skin and gut benefits. There are many ways to enjoy, such as a classic collagen coffee, a protein coffee (profee) or an iced coffee with Multi Collagen Advanced Lean.

• Whey: While it doesn’t do that well with hot coffee, adding whey protein to cold coffee is a popular way to add more protein to the diet and have a delicious flavored iced coffee or even a coffee smoothie.

Unworthy additions:

• Fiber powder: Adding this powder to coffee can sometimes create a clumpy consistency and not be enjoyable to drink.

Extracts

Worthy additions:

• Vanilla extract: This can add some sweetness without much sugar and still create a classic taste.

• Almond extract: Imparting a nutty flavor, very little is needed.

• Peppermint oil: For a minty flavor, consider adding a little.

Unworthy additions:

• Artificial flavorings: While popular in some commercial coffee drinks, they can often overpower the coffee.

• Peppermint extract: Popular in the winter, it can quickly overtake the coffee flavor.

Other worthy additions

• Salt: A little bit of sea salt can help balance bitterness plus provide some minerals.

• Lemons and limes: When the coffee is bitter, add a little citrus to balance the flavor.

• Ice cream: Heard of affogato? This Italian dessert combines the taste of gelato and espresso for a delicious, satisfying way to end a meal.