Why You Should Be Stirring Some Cinnamon Into Your Coffee

Any true coffee lover will tell you that coffee isn't just a drink, it's an experience. Besides the never-ending flavors available in cafes and supermarkets, there's also an ongoing assortment of coffee hacks to make the favorite morning beverage taste even better.

Beyond simple enjoyment, coffee offers several different benefits. For starters, it's thought to provide a host of protection against disease. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, when you drink coffee every day, it can help you process blood sugar better, protect against heart failure, and stroke and decrease your chances of developing colon cancer, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. A daily cup of Joe can also lower the risk of depression, aid in maintaining a healthy weight, boost energy levels, and help you live longer (via The New York Times).

Although coffee has tremendous health benefits, what you put in your coffee matters in making your daily cup of coffee healthy, and can either make or break your daily habit in terms of health. Here's why you should be putting cinnamon in your morning brew.

The problem with so many yummy things that we put in coffee is that they are often loaded with added sugar and chemically-based preservatives. Even basic sugar substitutes can contain harmful additives. Artificial sweeteners can actually lead to weight gain as a result of changes to the gut caused by ingesting them (via Cleveland Clinic).

On the flipside, cinnamon is a naturally occurring spice. It's actually one of the most popular spices, second only to black pepper, and one of the best spices for your health (via MedicalNews Today). According to USDA, half of a teaspoon of cinnamon each day can improve blood sugar, cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.

Like coffee, cinnamon has many health benefits including lowering blood sugar and protecting against cardiovascular disease, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and multiple sclerosis. Combining cinnamon with your morning coffee boosts the protective perks and when you consume both on the regular, the health benefits continue to multiply.

Unlike expensive creamers or extracts, cinnamon is a simple and common pantry staple. Odds are you already have some in your cabinet right now. Even if you don't, it's an affordable and plentiful spice that lasts a long time and is an easy way to dress up your hot java.

PureWow recommends adding cinnamon to the filter before you brew the coffee to prevent clumping on top. Another reason is that it's key to make sure the cinnamon is fully blended so you can have an even flavor throughout the whole cup and avoid strong vs. weak sips (via Roasty Coffee).

However, not all people want their cinnamon taste event spread out. Another way to incorporate cinnamon into your cup of coffee is to sprinkle the spice over the grounds before you brew. This is especially helpful if you take your coffee black. If you use foam or whipped cream, you can always sprinkle a little on top. Another way is to use a cinnamon stick.