If you’ve had a long night at work or you’re simply craving a calming and enjoyable morning beverage, I’d bet that the first thing that pops into your head is to go to the coffee shop around the corner for a cup of coffee. Many of you reading this probably depend on your local café because you think you lack the expertise to make your own pick-me-up — but it’s really not as difficult as you think!
Switch up your routine and try making your own energy-boosting morning beverage. Not only will you be able to save a whole lot of money, you’ll also avoid the sugar-filled drinks that coffee shops usually throw your way. Try this delicious and nutrient-packed Moringa latte recipe from Paleohacks:
Calming and Supercharged Moringa Latte Recipe
- 1 1/2 cups full-fat coconut milk
- 1 teaspoon Moringa powder
- 1 teaspoon raw honey
- Combine Moringa powder and honey in the bottom of a mug.
- Using a milk frother or a small saucepan, steam coconut milk until bubbles form. Pour into mug and stir gently to combine.
Why Is Moringa Called a Superfood, and Does It Deserve the Title?
Moringa has been deemed a superfood because it’s jam-packed with nutritional components. Ever since researchers started studying the health benefits and antioxidant components of this herb, it’s been incorporated into various dishes, beverages and even desserts to boost their nutrient levels.
Moringa contains multitudes of vitamins and minerals, in higher amounts than other common foods that also have these nutrients. For example, one serving of Moringa contains four times the calcium found in milk, 36 times the magnesium in an egg, 25 times the iron in spinach and 50 times the vitamin B-2 in sardines.1
But aside from these impressive nutrients, Moringa functions as an anti-asthmatic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial as well. Other health benefits include:
•Protects you from liver damage. Moringa contains high amounts of antioxidants and polyphenols, which protect the liver from oxidative stress and damage. It has also been observed to restore liver enzymes to their normal levels.2
•Functions as a diuretic. Diuretics assist in detoxifying the body by getting rid of excess water.3 Because of its ability to flush out salt from the body, Moringa has the ability to regulate your blood pressure.4
•Aids in diabetes prevention. Moringa contains high levels of oleic acid, which helps in normalizing glucose levels in the blood. In addition, oleic acid helps the pancreas bridge the lack in insulin.5
•Contains anti-cancer components. Due to the niaziminin in Moringa, this plant can aid in cancer prevention because of its anti-tumor and anti-cancer properties.
Coconut Milk Can Be Used as an Alternative to Raw Cow’s Milk
The use of non-dairy milk substitutes is one of the most talked about issues in the health community. This is because some people suffer from health conditions that keep them from enjoying raw cow’s milk. One of the substitutes available in the market is coconut milk, the extract made from mature coconut meat.
Coconut milk is a product that is widely known in both the Philippines and Thailand, where it’s a staple ingredient in local delicacies, curries and rice cakes. Some of the health benefits you can get from coconut milk include:
•Contains high amounts of healthy fat. The medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) in coconut milk are a type of healthy fat that is easier to metabolize. MCFAs are not stored as body fat and are instead turned into energy.
•May protect against oxidative damage. Rich in antioxidants, coconut milk can assist you in dealing with free radicals that can lead to cancer, cardiovascular diseases and Alzheimer’s disease.6
•Eases digestive problems. This milk alternative has been observed to help with poor absorption and digestion. It is also said to assist in sealing the lining of the digestive tract in people with leaky gut.7
However, when compared to raw cow’s milk, coconut milk still contains a much lower percentage of nutritional components. It also has a higher caloric content, containing about 467 calories per serving, compared to raw cow’s milk, which contains only 146 calories.8 But if you’re lactose intolerant or suffer from protein allergies, coconut milk would be a good, tasty and healthy alternative.
Don’t Touch That Refined Sugar — Make the Switch to Raw Honey
Most beverages served in restaurants and cafes are filled with refined sugars or artificial sweeteners. Aside from spiking your blood sugar levels, the consumption of refined sugar heightens your risk of developing chronic lifestyle disease because of its inflammatory characteristic. Artificial sweeteners have also been linked to the development of leukemia, lymphoma and other forms of cancer.
This is why you should opt for natural sweeteners, and raw honey remains to be one of the best ones available in the market. Throughout history, it has been used as a treatment for various health conditions and injuries. Some of the health benefits of raw honey are:
•Helps in alleviating cough. According to the World Health Organization, raw honey functions as a demulcent.9 A demulcent provides relief from coughing by forming a protective film in the throat to prevent irritation.
•Aids in wound healing. Raw honey is antibacterial and antifungal, which makes it a good natural remedy for wounds and burns.
•Reduces allergic reactions. The consumption of raw honey from local producers helps in minimizing your allergic reactions by introducing small amounts of pollen spores to your body. This can help your immune system build up immunity to allergic reactions over time.
While raw honey is nutritious, make sure that you only consume moderate amounts because it still contains sugar, which can be potentially dangerous in high amounts. Excessive fructose consumption can have a detrimental effect on your insulin sensitivity and promotes insulin resistance. It should also be noted that you should use high-quality raw honey, and avoid consuming its highly processed counterpart.
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