How Cinnamon Works For Weight Loss
Cinnamon Induces Browning Of Fat
Brown fat is known as good fat. It contains many lipid droplets and iron-containing mitochondria, which help turn food into a usable energy source. Brown fat also helps keep the body warm by generating heat in cold environments. Scientists found that cinnamon extract helped increase brown fat in subcutaneous (fat layer under the skin) fat cells (4). This is good for people with belly fat. Belly fat or fat in the waist region is white fat. Consuming cinnamon may help turn the belly fat (white fat) into brown. This, in turn, can be used up to maintain body temperature and as energy.
Cinnamon Improves Insulin Sensitivity
The polyphenols in cinnamon help improve insulin sensitivity. Insulin regulates glucose levels in the blood. When your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or becomes insulin resistant, the blood glucose levels can rise, leading to fat accumulation, obesity, diabetes, and other obesity triggered diseases. Research has confirmed that cinnamon can aid weight loss by alleviating insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovarian disease (5). This is mainly due to the presence of polyphenols in cinnamon. Almost all the major varieties of cinnamon have high polyphenol content. Chinese cinnamon and Indonesian cinnamon have the highest phenolic content compared to Vietnamese and Ceylon cinnamon. Check out the graph below to learn more about the amount of polyphenols present in all four varieties.
Polyphenol Content Of Cinnamon Extracts
Cinnamon Lowers Fasting Blood Sugar
Cinnamon helps to lower fasting blood glucose levels. A study conducted by scientists at the University of California-Davis showed that consuming whole cinnamon or cinnamon extract could lower the fasting blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes (6).
Cinnamon Lowers Bad Cholesterol And Triglycerides
Jesse Feder, Clinical Dietitian at the Memorial Regional Hospital South, says, “Cinnamon has been shown to potentially reduce LDL or bad cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels and help maintain good glucose levels. This can help prevent arteries from being clogged or damaged, which will prevent the heart from needing to work harder.” Bad or LDL cholesterol tends to accumulate in the walls of the arteries, which, in turn, increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Two separate studies found that cinnamon helped reduce LDL cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, and triglyceride levels (7), (8).
Cinnamon Reduces Waist Circumference
Belly fat is a serious concern. It results from excessive consumption of calories, leading a sedentary lifestyle, and taking too much stress. Scientists have found that consuming cinnamon can help reduce waist circumference and body weight (9). These are the ways cinnamon aids weight loss. But how much cinnamon should you take for losing weight? Find out in the next section. How Much Cinnamon To Take For Weight Loss It is safe to take 1-2 teaspoons of cinnamon powder or 1-inch cinnamon bark per day. However, be careful not to go overboard with cinnamon. There are many ways you can consume cinnamon for weight loss. Here are 6 ways to add cinnamon to your food to lose weight fast.
6 Best Ways To Take Cinnamon For Weight Loss
a. Cinnamon & Honey Tea
½ teaspoon cinnamon powder 1 tablespoon lime juice 1 teaspoon honey 1 cup of water
Lime is a rich source of vitamin C, and it boosts the immune system (10). Honey is a natural antioxidant and has antimicrobial properties (11).
b. Cinnamon And Apple Cider Vinegar
½ teaspoon cinnamon powder 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar 1 cup water
Apple cider vinegar aids weight loss, reduces the risk of diabetes, and aids the treatment of sinusitis, skin, and throat problems (12).
c. Cinnamon Fat Burner Detox Water
1-inch cinnamon bark 4-5 lime wedges A handful of mint leaves 1 cup water
Lime is a rich source of vitamin C, and it boosts the immune system (10). Mint has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Hence, it is used to treat gut problems, skin problems, allergies, cough, and cold and alleviate pain .
d. Cinnamon And Oats Breakfast
½ teaspoon cinnamon powder ½ cup banana slices ½ cup fat-free milk ¼ cup oats A pinch of salt
Note: Avoid adding sugar if you want to lose weight. Salt balances the flavors as banana renders enough sweetness to the oats.
Bananas are rich in potassium and are good energy boosters (13). Oats are .rich in dietary fiber. They aid nutrient absorption and reduce abdominal fat (14).
e. Cinnamon And Vegetable Brown Rice
¼ cup finely chopped carrots ¼ cup peas ½ cup brown rice 1 ½ cups of water ¼ cup finely sliced onion 1-inch cinnamon bark 1 cardamom 2 cloves 1 teaspoon ginger paste 1 teaspoon garlic paste 2 tablespoons olive oil ½ teaspoon roasted cinnamon powder A handful of coriander leaves ½ teaspoon salt
Brown rice is loaded with nutrients and dietary fiber, which binds to fat and prevents fat absorption. Brown rice also improves insulin resistance and reduces LDL cholesterol (15). Cardamom aids weight loss, reduces oxidative stress, dyslipidemia, and liver damage (16). Clove is antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory in nature and protects you from cold and cough (17). Carrots are rich in antioxidants and phenolic compounds. They suppress appetite, promote weight loss, and help prevent cardiovascular diseases (18). Peas are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that lower bad cholesterol, help fight certain types of cancer and prevent neuronal damage (19). Ginger improves digestion, boosts immunity, and helps reduce the risk of colorectal cancer (20). Garlic has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and cardioprotective properties (21). Coriander has anticancer, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, lipid-lowering, and antimicrobial properties (22).
f. Bedtime Cinnamon And Turmeric Milk
1 cup warm fat-free milk ¼ teaspoon cinnamon powder ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
Turmeric has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. It also helps prevent cancer, obesity, and cardiovascular disease (23). Milk is rich in calcium, vitamin D, potassium, magnesium, riboflavin, and vitamin B12. It can help prevent osteoporosis, strengthen your teeth, and reduce blood pressure (24).
You may also use cinnamon in smoothies, juices, and cakes to enhance the flavor and lose weight. Apart from aiding weight loss, cinnamon has the following benefits:
Other Benefits Of Cinnamon
Cinnamon has been used in various recipes for thousands of years. It not only gives a beautiful flavor and taste but also has many health benefits. Here is a list of the other health benefits of cinnamon:
Cinnamon has antimicrobial properties, which protect your body from microbial It is loaded with antioxidants that scavenge the harmful free oxygen radicals. It helps to lower bad cholesterol in the blood, hence protecting the heart. Cinnamon is anti-inflammatory and helps alleviate joint pain, toothache, and gut inflammation. It can also aid in the treatment of a host of skin-related issues, rashes, and infections. Cinnamon can also help fight cancer as it prevents the proliferation of cancerous cells. It is a natural preservative and sweetener. Cinnamon has also been found to enhance cognition. It improves the brain’s insulin utilizing ability and prevents Alzheimer’s induced changes in the brain.
One of the other reasons why cinnamon helps prevent cell damage and diseases is the presence of high antioxidants. Though the levels of antioxidants vary between different types of cinnamons, they all have significantly high antioxidant properties. According to a study, Indonesian and Chinese cinnamon have higher antioxidant properties compared to Vietnamese and Ceylon cinnamon. Check out the antioxidant potential of various cinnamon extracts below.
Antioxidant Potential Of Cinnamon Extracts
Though cinnamon has many health benefits, it does have its share of side effects as well. Find the list below.
Side Effects Of Consuming Excessive Cinnamon
Consuming too much cinnamon may cause
Gastrointestinal problems Liver disease Skin irritation Nausea Low blood sugar Increased heart rate Premature labor Heating of the body
Before we come to a close, here are a few takeaway tips:
Useful Tips
Do not consume cinnamon if you are allergic to it. Do not consume too much cinnamon per day. To lose weight, eat every 2-3 hours. Keep a check on your meal portion size. If you do not like working out, play outdoor sports or dance to burn the extra calories.
Is cinnamon good for kidneys? Blanca Garcia, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, says, “Cinnamon has strong kidney protective properties mainly because of its antioxidant activity. It prevents renal tubular injuries from happening. Such injuries should be avoided to ensure healthy functioning kidneys.” Can cinnamon speed up your metabolism? “Yes, it speeds up metabolism. Cinnamaldehyde, one of the resinous compounds found in cinnamon, improves blood glucose absorption and increases insulin sensitivity. It mimics the effects of insulin, allowing the body to remove glucose from the bloodstream. In addition, cinnamon appears to curb appetite and cravings leading to unnecessary weight gain,” says Blanca Garcia. Can I drink cinnamon water at night? Jesse Feder says, “Yes, drinking cinnamon water at night is healthy. It can help relax the muscles, aid in digestion, boost metabolism and immunity, and increase feelings of well-being.” Is cinnamon a laxative? “Yes, cinnamon is considered a good natural laxative and can promote healthy bowel movements.” says Jesse Feder. Can I drink cinnamon water on an empty stomach? Yes. Cinnamon water has beneficial effects on your body and may help reduce weight, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Should you take cinnamon before or after a meal? While there is no specified best time to take cinnamon water, taking it after a meal may help reduce blood sugar spikes. How long does it take for cinnamon to work? Cinnamon may take around 4 to 18 weeks to reduce blood sugar and cholesterol levels (26).
