Health benefits brew: Coffee with cardamom's surprising powers

Many people like coffee, whether black or with sugar, milk, or cream. We usually opt for its classic version, but particularly interesting are combinations of black coffee with spices. Coffee with cinnamon or ginger, which are natural metabolism boosters, deserves special attention. However, a true discovery might be coffee with a pinch of cardamom.

Coffee with cardamom is a drink with a unique taste and aroma that is also a source of many health benefits. Cardamom is a spice that has been used in natural medicine for centuries. It has many medicinal properties that can help our bodies fight various ailments.

Cardamom, especially when combined with coffee, stimulates and improves mood. It increases the secretion of endorphins, known as happiness hormones, which alleviate stress and depression. By supporting the nervous system, Cardamom can also improve memory, concentration, and cognitive abilities. This spice also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It additionally lowers blood pressure, improves circulation, and can help prevent and treat diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels and improving insulin sensitivity.

Cardamom has properties that regulate bowel function and prevent bloating, indigestion, constipation, or heartburn. Additionally, it relaxes the smooth muscles of the stomach and intestines, making the flow of food easier. Moreover, this spice promotes body fat reduction—it speeds up metabolism and calorie burning and prevents fat accumulation, especially around the abdomen.

Dr Patricia Mendonca from Florida A&M University in Tallahassee indicated at the annual meeting of the American Society for Investigative Pathology that the cardamonin present in the spice has enormous potential as an anticancer compound, which can be used in the prevention of triple-negative breast cancer or combination with existing drugs. As the researcher explained, cardamonin is a natural plant compound that shows therapeutic potential in cases of inflammation, cardiovascular ailments, and colon, prostate, and breast cancers.

Making coffee with cardamom is extremely simple and quick. Add ground cardamom seeds to the coffee, and adjust the spice amount to your taste and preference. Usually, a flat teaspoon of cardamom per cup of coffee is enough. To enhance its flavour and properties, you can also add other ingredients to the drink, such as cinnamon, cloves, ginger, or vanilla.

However, it is worth remembering that coffee with cardamom is not a substitute for pharmacological treatment and should not be consumed excessively. It is recommended not to drink more than three cups of coffee with cardamom per day, as this drink can cause unwanted side effects, including insomnia, nervousness, or an increased heart rate.