There are practically endless ingredients you can add to your coffee in order to satisfy your sweet tooth or just make your morning beverage a little more interesting—but not all of them are healthy. In fact, health experts like nutritionists warn against many popular additions, such as sugar, artificial sweeteners, and high-sugar creamers, especially if you’re trying to lose weight. However, there are a few ingredients that can actually aid your weight loss journey by boosting your metabolism. You may not have considered them before! As it turns out, cinnamon, turmeric, and cayenne pepper can make your coffee equally tasty and healthy.
To learn about the health benefits of these fat-burning spices, we spoke to Dr. Gretchen San Miguel, MD and Chief Medical Officer for Medi-Weightloss, Dr. Nancy Lin, PhD and XPRO for YogaSix GO, Dana Ellis Hunnes, PhD, RD, and author of Recipe For Survival, Mary Sabat, MS, RDN, LD for BodyDesigns Ltd., and Trista Best, nutritionist for Balance One Supplements. Read for all of their insight on how cinnamon, turmeric, and cayenne pepper can take your cup of joe to the next level!
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Cinnamon
If you have a bit of a sweet tooth, you don't necessarily have to put all of your cravings aside for the sake of weight loss. While you should definitely cut back on the sugary syrups and flavored creamers, cinnamon is one great ingredient you can add to your morning cup of coffee without putting yourself at risk of weight gain. In fact, experts say this tasty spice can actually boost your metabolism!
Black coffee has tons of health benefits, but Hunnes says cinnamon can help kick it up a notch. "If you add cinnamon to coffee (especially ceylon cinnamon, which is the real cinnamon), it can make coffee even healthier," she says. "Cinnamon has been shown to improve insulin response," Hunnes explains.
Best agrees, noting that this spice's anti-inflammatory benefits can help you shed pounds faster. "Reducing inflammation in the body has an almost direct impact on preventing or reducing obesity and overall body weight," she says. "By cutting down on inflammation, your metabolism is better able to burn calories at an efficient rate.” Nice!
Turmeric
Speaking of anti-inflammation and weight loss, there's another inflammation-fighting spice that you can add to your coffee every day to help kickstart your metabolism: Turmeric. This brightly colored spice contains an anti-inflammatory ingredient called curcumin, which works to boost your metabolic rate. “Spices [containing curcumin] have a thermogenic effect on the body and cause the body to generate more heat, thus burning more calories,” Lin notes.
Turmeric in particular is packed with antioxidants that can help you reach your weight loss goals, especially when it takes the place of your typical fattening coffee ingredients. "The antioxidant property of turmeric can help decrease insulin resistance, blood sugar, cholesterol levels, and other metabolic conditions resulting from obesity," San Miguel explains. Sign us up!
So, there you have it: leading a healthy lifestyle doesn't mean you have to take your coffee without an added flavor. In fact, sprinkling cinnamon and turmeric in your mug every morning way just help you along the way!
Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper is also a great spice for boosting your metabolism and aiding in weight loss. This spice has its own unique flavor that consists of a hint of smokiness with a tad bit of sweetness, combined with the taste of a fresh red pepper.
Sabat gives us a list of health benefits that cayenne pepper has, which may surprise you. "Cayenne pepper contains a compound called capsaicin, capsaicin has been found to have a thermogenic effect, which means it can temporarily increase the metabolic rate and help burn more calories. It may also stimulate the production of brown fat, which is a type of fat that burns calories to generate heat," she notes. Appetite suppression and fat oxidation are also important things to note when it comes to cayenne pepper aiding weight loss and faster metabolism.
"Consuming cayenne pepper may help reduce appetite and curb cravings, leading to a lower calorie intake. It can also increase feelings of fullness, potentially aiding in weight management. Studies suggest that capsaicin may enhance the oxidation of fats in the body, promoting fat burning. This effect may contribute to weight loss and improve body composition," Sabat states. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to your morning coffee, and not only will it wake you up, but give you a head start on nutrients for the day.
With all of this in mind, Sabat reminds us that there isn't a single spice that will be the sole reason for weight loss or fast metabolism. "While cayenne pepper may have potential benefits for metabolism and weight loss, it's important to note that no spice alone can guarantee significant weight loss. It is just one element that may complement a healthy, balanced diet and an active lifestyle," she says.
