But when we asked Dr. Bulsiewicz about getting to a coffee shop, he gave us some tips you can use when making coffee at home. One ingredient he likes to add to his coffee is “cinnamon,” he says. “This is the only ingredient everyone has on their spice shelf.”
Delicious, stable to store, and You can easily find it at almost any grocery store. There is a lot to like about adding cinnamon to coffee. But Dr. Bulsiewicz says this small, tasty ingredient may also improve the gut-friendly properties of your daily coffee drink. Keep reading for more details.
Is it good to add cinnamon to coffee?
Yes, adding cinnamon to your coffee has quite a few benefits. Dr. Bulziewicz explains more below.
1. It is full of antioxidants.
Dr. Bulsiewicz says coffee is clearly number one. Sources of Antioxidants in the American DietOne. It's because Coffee has a high polyphenol content.2, a plant compound with powerful antioxidant properties that fight inflammation and help prevent chronic disease and cancer. “Polyphenols are also prebiotics, meaning they can shape the microbiome,” explains Dr. Bulsiewicz. So adding cinnamon, another powerful source of polyphenols, to this antioxidant-packed beer can help boost the antioxidant profile of your morning coffee even further.
2. Add some fiber to your drink.
Dr. Bulsiewicz says a cup of millet is a good source of gut-supporting fiber. “Most people don’t realize this, but coffee actually contains two types of fiber: soluble fiber and prebiotic fiber,” he says. Soluble fiber is completely soluble, so coffee may not go unnoticed when it comes to fiber-rich foods. Dr. Bulsiewicz added that soluble fiber is also considered a prebiotic, which is fermentable fiber that feeds good gut bacteria. Cinnamon is also an amazing source of fiber. In fact, just one teaspoon of cinnamon contains more than 1 gram of fiber. (Of course, it may be more than you want to put in your coffee.)
3. It’s a consistent way to maintain gut health.
Consistency is important when it comes to gut health, says Dr. Bulsiewicz. Consistently consuming fiber and plant-based foods, drinking plenty of water, and exercising can all go a long way in maintaining gut health. Although cinnamon-infused coffee shouldn't replace other fiber-rich foods in your diet, Dr. Bulsiewicz says drinking coffee regularly has its benefits and is a great way to stay consistent in your gut health journey. “So can salads further strengthen your gut health? confident. But that's the problem with coffee [most people] Because you do that every day, it starts to have a snowball effect on your gut microbiome,” says Dr. Bulsiewicz.
4. It tastes pretty good.
Drinking black coffee may not be everyone's cup of tea; mistake, coffee. That's why Dr. Bulsiewicz suggests adding cinnamon is a great way to make an already gut-healthy beverage better for digestion. “Everyone loves it,” says Dr. Bulsiewicz. We can't say he's wrong.
How much cinnamon do you put in your coffee?
How much cinnamon you add to your coffee is up to you and your tastes, says Dr. Bulsiewicz. “You don’t necessarily have to reach some expectations. You just have to make it taste good and perceive it to be good for your gut,” he says. So take this as an invitation to listen to what your taste buds are telling you. Start with 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon powder and see if you like it, adding more if you like.
Other ways to drink coffee for your gut health
Want to take it to the next level? Dr. Bulsiewicz searches the spice rack for more than just cinnamon. In fact, he enjoys using cinnamon, ginger powder, and turmeric together to create a trifecta rich in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
If you can't resist drinking black coffee, Dr. Bulsiewicz says a small amount of soy milk is perfectly fine for your gut health. “A little bit of organic soy milk can help reduce acidity and smooth out the flavor,” he says.
On the other hand, if you're looking to add a little more fiber to your cup of coffee, Dr. Bulsiewicz recommends mixing in a fiber supplement, especially acacia powder. “You need about 3 to 5 grams of fiber from acacia powder,” he says.
Find out the benefits of drinking coffee according to a registered dietitian.
Well+Good articles reference scientific, credible, recent and robust research to support the information we share. You can trust us on your wellness journey.
- Eastman, Peggy. “New research on antioxidants shows coffee’s surprising role.” Oncology Times 27 (2005). 39-40. 2: 10.1097/01.COT.0000290968.61298.07
- Jaehoon Bae et al. “Coffee and health.” Integrative medicine research volume. 3,4(2014): 189-191. doi:10.1016/j.imr.2014.08.002