A delicious cup of fresh roasted coffee is one of life’s simplest pleasures. Adding a sprinkle of cinnamon to your coffee gives it a flavor boost without extra calories and may even have some health benefits.
Cinnamon has been found to have many health benefits. The compound cinnamaldehyde is what gives cinnamon its spicy flavor and its health benefits.
Cinnamon and cinnamaldehyde are high in antioxidants. Antioxidants have been shown to repair damage done to cells by free radicals and to reduce inflammation. Cinnamon also reduces the levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) and raises the levels of good cholesterol (HDL cholesterol) in blood.
Cinnamon has been shown to limit the growth of some fungi and bacteria. There is some laboratory evidence to show that cinnamon extracts can reduce the growth of cancer cells. There are even some studies demonstrating that cinnamon helps reduce the buildup of brain proteins that are associated with diseases like Alzheimer’s.
People with diabetes find cinnamon helpful. Adding about 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon to the daily diet of people with type 2 diabetes has been shown to result in positive health benefits. Cinnamon seems to help in reducing insulin resistance, which means the insulin works more effectively. Cinnamon has also been shown to lower blood sugar levels.
How to Make Cinnamon Coffee
Place coffee, sugar and cinnamon in filter in brew basket of coffee maker. Place vanilla in empty pot of coffee maker. Add water to coffee maker; brew as directed.
Pour into serving cups. You may add cinnamon, if desired.
