Did you know that 73% of Americans drink coffee every day? Most of us need our caffeine pick-me-up to get moving in the morning. Some add creamer, some load it up with sugar or flavored syrups, and some just drink it black. But what about adding a little cinnamon spice to your cup of joe?

Cinnamon has a rich, warm smell that screams coziness and comfort. But this exotic spice adds a lot more than flavor to your morning brew!

The benefits of cinnamon in coffee go beyond just great taste and aroma. The combination of caffeine and cinnamon’s healthy properties is a match made in heaven. Just a teaspoon of cinnamon in your cup of coffee can support your health in various ways!

History of Cinnamon

Cinnamon has existed for thousands of years, even as far back as 2000 BC. Did you know that cinnamon was once worth more than gold? This was partially because it was really hard to get—it had to travel long, tough roads to reach distant cities. In Egypt, it was used for embalming and religious rituals. In medieval Europe, it was used for religious rites and flavoring. 

Cinnamon’s sweet and spicy flavor goes great with many foods like cakes, smoothies, sweet breads, and crisps.

Types of Cinnamon

There are hundreds of types of cinnamon, but only four are used commercially:

• Ceylon
• Cassia
• Saigon
• Korintje Cinnamon

Ceylon Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), some call it True Cinnamon, comes from a bushy evergreen tree in the laurel family. It’s native to Sri Lanka, the Malabar Coast of India, and Myanmar, but you can also find it in South America and the West Indies. This spice comes from the dried inner bark, which is brown, has a delightful aroma, and offers a warm, sweet flavor.

Risks of Coumarin

Except for Ceylon, the other types of cinnamon fall under the Cassia category because they’re so similar, with just slight differences in color, taste, and coumarin content.

Coumarin is a compound found in different types of plants that can be toxic if consumed in high amounts. Cassia cinnamon is hard and has high coumarin levels, which could cause liver damage.

Ceylon cinnamon, on the other hand, is the odd one out—soft, brittle, and low in coumarin content, which is why it’s the best type of cinnamon for consumption.

Eating a little amount of cinnamon is usually safe and doesn’t have much of an impact on your health. But you shouldn’t go overboard with it.

How Much Cinnamon is Safe in a Day?

Ceylon cinnamon, or “true” cinnamon, is the best option because it only contains tiny amounts of coumarin, a compound harmful in large amounts. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) says adults should stick to about 1.5 mg of coumarin daily. Experts recommend using up to 1 teaspoon (2-4 grams) of cinnamon powder daily.

What are the Benefits of Drinking Coffee With Cinnamon?

Coffee is one of the more popular daily beverages in America and is great on its own, but why not level it up with cinnamon? There are tons of great health-supporting advantages to adding this sweet spice to your daily java.

Coffee Tastes Better With Cinnamon

If you’re a coffee lover just like me, your taste buds might agree this is the best part of adding cinnamon to your morning brew. 

If you’re a fan of cinnamon, you’ll know that cinnamon straight from the jar can taste bitter and make you cough, but when mixed into food and drinks, it transforms. True cinnamon has a sweet, woody flavor, like brown sugar. When combined with the bitterness of black coffee, it makes your morning cup taste like it has a hint of sugar. Add the creamy sweetness of milk or creamer, and your daily coffee gets a special treat without the extra sugar.

It Supports A Healthy Metabolism

Your metabolism can affect whether your body burns extra fat instead of storing it. A healthy metabolism means better fat-burning and easier weight loss! Cinnamaldehyde, a compound present in cinnamon, has shown promising anti-obesity effects in a 2015 study.

Adding cinnamon to your morning coffee routine is a great way to maintain good blood sugar and weight.

It Increases Antioxidants

Coffee is already full of beneficial antioxidants, but adding cinnamon gives you an extra boost. Together, they make a powerful combo!

Antioxidants help your body fight off free radicals, support your immune system, and keep your cells healthy. Just one teaspoon of cinnamon has as many antioxidants as half a cup of blueberries, helping your body prevent oxidative stress! 

It May Promote Healthy Blood Sugar Levels

If you have a sweet tooth and like adding a little something extra to your coffee, cinnamon could be your new go-to. 

For people with diabetes, managing blood sugar levels is important. Cinnamon might help by mimicking insulin’s effects, moving sugar from the bloodstream into cells. It can also boost insulin sensitivity, making your body more efficient at using insulin to process sugar. 

It Supports Memory and Cognition

Recently, researchers found that cinnamon can significantly bolster brain health, improving learning and memory. One compound in cinnamon, called cinnamaldehyde, helps prevent the buildup of amyloid-beta plaques in your brain, which are linked to Alzheimer’s. So, adding cinnamon to your diet might help keep your mind sharp!

It May Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease

Cinnamon isn’t just tasty—it’s also good for your heart health! Studies show that eating cinnamon every day can lower cholesterol, LDL (bad cholesterol), and triglycerides (a type of fat in your blood). Plus, it can raise HDL (good cholesterol) levels.

Studies suggest that regular caffeine intake may also help keep your heart healthy. People who drink caffeine regularly are up to 15% less likely to develop heart disease.

It Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties 

Some degree of inflammation is important because it helps your body fight infections and heal cell damage. But when inflammation becomes continuous and targets your own body, it can cause serious problems. 

The good thing is that both coffee and cinnamon have effective anti-inflammatory properties. Studies have shown that the natural compounds in cinnamon have both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, helping to keep inflammation in check. 

If you have certain inflammatory conditions like Mast Cell Activation Syndrome or Histamine intolerance, you’ll want to make sure you’re choosing low-histamine coffee to avoid triggering flare-ups.

It Contains Vitamins and Minerals

Cinnamon is packed with vitamins and nutrients. Just one teaspoon of ground cinnamon (2.6 grams) has:

• 6.42 calories
• 2.1 grams of carbs
• 26.1 mg of calcium
• 0.21 mg of iron
• 1.56 mg of magnesium
• 1.66 mg of phosphorus
• Trace amounts of Vitamin K, A, and B

It Fights Bad Breath

It’s no coincidence that chewing gum and breath mints are often cinnamon-flavored!

Cinnamon is known to help prevent bad breath, so adding it to your coffee might save you from that dreaded coffee breath!

It Maintains Good Energy

Many people find that cinnamon helps reduce fatigue and makes them feel more alert. 

When you mix cinnamon with caffeinated coffee, you get an extra kick for your energy levels. Cinnamon helps keep your blood sugar steady so you avoid those sugar spikes and crashes that can leave you feeling drained after meals and snacks.

It May Prevent Bacterial Growth

Cinnamaldehyde, present in Cinnamon, has antimicrobial properties that may prevent the growth of certain bacteria or fungi. One 2022 study found that cinnamon oil was effective in inhibiting Salmonella.

What is the Best Way To Add Cinnamon to Coffee? 

Making cinnamon coffee is easy and budget-friendly. Here are some of the best ways to add cinnamon to your coffee:

• Mix cinnamon powder with your coffee grounds before brewing.
• Stir cinnamon powder into your cream before adding it to your coffee.
• Place whole cinnamon sticks in your coffee beans or grounds for a slow-release flavor.
• Make a simple cinnamon syrup with cinnamon sticks, brown sugar, and water.

Are There Disadvantages to Drinking Cinnamon Coffee?

While cinnamon is great, too much of it can be troublesome. Cinnamaldehyde, a compound in cinnamon, is a common allergen and can lead to painful sores in your mouth if you overdo it. If you start getting these sores after enjoying your cinnamon coffee, it’s best to see your doctor or cut back on cinnamon.

Tips To Make Your Coffee Healthier

Coffee has several health benefits, but let’s always try to get the most out of it. 

• Caffeine gives you an energy boost, which is why coffee is so popular. But drinking it late in the day can mess with your sleep, leading to health problems. It’s best to avoid coffee after 2–3 p.m.
• Traditional creamers add flavor and creaminess but often contain harmful artificial ingredients. Instead, try using whole grass-fed milk, half-and-half, or plant-based options like oat, almond, or cashew milk.
• Coffee contains cafestol, a compound that can raise cholesterol levels. To reduce cafestol, use a paper filter when brewing. This lets the caffeine and antioxidants through while keeping cafestol out. 

What Should You Avoid Mixing With Coffee?

Coffee is a must-have for many, but there are some coffee add-ins you should avoid:

• Non-dairy creamers: These often contain corn syrup solids and partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, mimicking the creamy texture of half-and-half, but they are unhealthy.
• Flavor shots: Adding vanilla, hazelnut, caramel, mint, or pumpkin spice flavors introduces pure cane sugar and artificial food coloring into your coffee.
• Artificial sweeteners: Some studies link artificial sweeteners to serious health issues, such as impaired glucose metabolism, diabetes, and heart problems.

Is it Better To Take Cinnamon in the Morning or at Night?

Cinnamon is naturally caffeine-free, so you can have it anytime. However, if you’re adding it to coffee, it’s best to have it in the morning so it doesn’t disrupt your natural sleep cycle. To support healthy blood sugar, have it with meals. 

Just remember that results can vary, and it’s always a good idea to check with a healthcare professional before making big changes to your diet or lifestyle.