If you're an avid coffee drinker, you've probably heard about one or more studies that demonstrate the nutritional benefits of this beverage. From lowering your risk of heart attack and cirrhosis of the liver to diminishing symptoms of Parkinson's disease, coffee can pack a substantial health punch while also helping perk you up in the morning. However, if you're taking your coffee with artificial sweeteners, white sugar, or fat-free creamer, you may not be getting all the potential benefits of this drink. Read on to learn more about some natural ways to help boost your coffee's nutritional value without compromising taste.

Should you put natural oils in your coffee?

Because coffee is so often consumed as a breakfast drink, there is some testimony that adding natural fats (like grass-fed butter, grass-fed cream, or coconut oil) to your coffee in place of artificial or non-dairy creamers can help you feel fuller and more energetic throughout the morning hours. Because these artificial creamers often contain high-fructose corn syrup, carrageenan, and other factory-created thickeners that have no nutritional value, they may diminish the positive health benefits of coffee. Using natural fats will help your body maintain its energy levels and improve the condition of your skin, hair, and nails.

If you're not sure you're ready to make the switch, you may want to begin substituting just a small amount of natural fat in place of your normal non-dairy creamer to see whether you notice any change in the way you feel. By gradually adjusting to the different taste and texture over time, you'll be able to seamlessly transition from an artificial creamer user to a natural coffee aficionado.

How can you naturally sweeten your coffee? 

The use of artificial sweeteners in place of white sugar may help cut calories and reduce weight, but it won't do much toward improving your health. Some artificial sweeteners have been loosely correlated with certain types of cancers or autoimmune disorders, while the frequent use of processed white sugar increases your risk of diabetes. Fortunately, non-carcinogenic sweeteners like stevia can help your coffee achieve the desired sweetness without added calories, while raw honey and raw sugar can turn your ordinary coffee into a luxuriously sweet treat (albeit with a few added calories).

By brewing coffee with purified or distilled water, you'll be able to reduce the bitterness often created by the reaction between your water's minerals and the coffee molecules. This should help the small amount of sweetener you use go a much longer way toward flavoring your coffee. Look to professionals like Monin for more information.