Cinnamon is one of the healthiest spices in the world for a multitude of reasons.
Most people consume cinnamon in its most common form, Cassia Cinnamon, while others prefer Ceylon Cinnamon, which has gained a reputation for being the “true” form of this popular spice in recent years.
Each type of cinnamon has different benefits, although the benefits are similar in most cases.
Recently, the process of adding cinnamon to coffee has become popular, as cinnamon has beneficial effects that coffee drinkers can feel immediately, especially when consumed over a long period of time.
Why Add Cinnamon to Coffee
Coffee is widely known for its caffeine and subsequent ability to improve alertness, brain activity and metabolism. Coffee helps to improve circulation throughout the body. One 2013 study found that participants who drank a cup of caffeinated coffee showed a 30 percent increase in blood circulation over a 75-minute period.
This means that nutrients added to your morning coffee are quickly circulated, reaching places where they can be utilized effectively.
Cinnamon is a delicious spice that mixes well in coffee. According to Healthline.com, cinnamon can lower blood glucose in diabetics.
According to WebMD, cinnamon reduces inflammation in the body, which can help to prevent and reduce negative symptoms associated with arthritis, heart conditions, and diabetes.
Cinnamon is also rich in antioxidants, especially Ceylon Cinnamon.
Ceylon Cinnamon has a darker brown pigment than Cassia Cinnamon, the latter of which is considered to be more delicate and less medicinal in value.
Cinnamon ranks just behind four other spices on the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) charts for highest antioxidant levels.
The top six is as follows according to a 2010 USDA database:
- Cloves, ground
- Oregano, dried
- Rosemary, dried
- Thyme, dried
- Cinnamon, ground
- Turmeric, ground
Antioxidants help to protect your body’s cells against damage from free radicals, defined as highly unstable molecular species that can damage proteins, lipids, and DNA in the body.
Cinnamon acts as a first line of defense against free radicals in the body.
It acts in concert with coffee and other antioxidants from plant sources to prevent damage to cells, which is part of the reason why I take Ceylon (“true” Cinnamon) as often as possible, preferably first thing in the morning.
Health-Giving Nutrients in Cinnamon
Aside from the above four benefits, cinnamon is a considerable source of key nutrients that may be hard to find in today’s food system.
Cinnamon, especially dark brown colored Ceylon Cinnamon like the organic kind mentioned above, is a source of the following nutrients:
-Potassium
-Vitamin A
-Vitamin K
-Cinnamaldehyde, which is anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial
Cinnamon and Gut Bacteria
As an added bonus to the five health benefits mentioned above, cinnamon is an excellent spice to add to your daily routine, in your coffee, in desserts and other dishes, for its ability to positively affect gut health.
Preliminary research shows that cinnamon can help to provide an optimal environment for friendly gut bacteria to thrive. Cinnamon also suppresses the growth of “unfriendly” bacteria in the gut.
While it may not seem like adding this spice to your morning cup of coffee can make a big difference, research suggests otherwise. Give Ceylon Cinnamon or another type of organic cinnamon a try in your next cup of coffee and try it for a week to see if you notice any changes.
It just might be the boost you need to feel better enough to thrive in your daily life, especially if you have issues with gut health, inflammation or blood sugar.