Here is how to make your coffee more heart-healthy.
I HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT HOW COFFEE consumption impacts my heart health. Today I offer an easy coffee hack.
I recently wrote about some potential heart health benefits of coffee consumption.
Moreover, I spoke briefly about other upsides of drinking the brew, including the following:
- Type 2 diabetes (a slight decrease of a relative six percent in one study)
- Boosts energy (caffeine)
- It may support brain health, potentially lowering the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s.
- May promote weight management
- Associated with a lower depression risk
- It may reduce the risk of chronic liver disease.
- Might increase longevity
Today, I will focus on what you can add to your coffee to increase its cardiovascular benefits.
Coffee Benefits
I recently wrote about the potential heart benefits of coffee consumption. Among the possible upsides are:
- More energy
- A lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes
- Possible brain health benefits
- May promote weight management
- Linked to a lower risk of depression
- Supports heart health
- It may protect against some liver conditions
- It might increase longevity
- Better athletic performance.
“I’d rather take coffee than compliments just now.”
― Louisa May Alcott, Little Women
Enhancing Your Coffee’s Health Benefits: Cinnamon!
What else can you do to boost the cardiovascular upsides of that cup of Joe?
Today’s hack to enhancing coffee’s heart health promotion: Add cinnamon.
Some studies show that cinnamon can lower blood sugar levels in those with type 2 diabetes.
Moreover, cinnamon may also drop your cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Evidence of Cinnamon’s Health Benefits
Researchers reviewed 14 studies testing whether cinnamon helps lower blood sugar in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Eight of these studies showed that cinnamon can reduce fasting and after-meal blood sugar levels, while six showed no effect.
Only five of these studies were well-controlled (meaning they had a comparison group).
Also, it’s worth noting that we only looked at studies involving people with type 2 diabetes or those with high blood sugar levels.
My Approach – An Easy Coffee Hack
While I consume more tea than coffee, I add cinnamon as a sugar-free sweetener when I drink the latter.
I think this approach is much healthier than adding refined sugar or artificial sweeteners.
Using cinnamon-based treatments could be a strategy to regulate blood sugar and lipid levels, potentially slowing down the progression of type 2 diabetes.
Additionally, cinnamon’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may offer further health benefits. However, conflicting results in scientific research make the effectiveness of cinnamon therapy uncertain.
I would like to see future studies explore cinnamon’s long-term effects, how those with type 2 diabetes might best incorporate it into their daily meals, and the benefits of cinnamon for those of us without diabetes.
This Popular Supplement Might Put Your Heart in Danger
DO YOU USE SUPPLEMENTS? Some use cinnamon to drop blood sugar, while others take vitamin D to build bones. We use them…medium.com
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