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Have you ever heard the urban legend that non-dairy coffee creamer is flammable? If you watch the video above, you’ll see that this isn’t an urban legend at all; it’s actually true!

I even know of some people who have used non-dairy creamer to start their campfires! Which, of course, begs the question  what is this stuff made of, and do you really want to add it to your morning coffee?

What’s Really in Your Non-Dairy Creamer?

If you drink coffee, the best way to drink it is black without sugar or cream and preferably organic. But if you choose to add cream, the simple, old-fashioned full-fat cream (preferably organic, raw, and from grass-fed cows) is the best option.

Non-dairy creamer can scarcely be called “cream” at all, as it is more aptly a synthetic combination of chemicals, oils, sugars, and milk products. Let’s take a look at some of the more common ingredients, which will, of course, vary slightly depending on your brand:

Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil

Part of the problem with partially hydrogenated soybean oil is the trans fat it contains. These synthetic trans fats are known to promote inflammation.

There are also the significant health hazards of soy itself, with the majority of soybeans genetically engineered and contaminated with highly toxic herbicides like Roundup (glyphosate).