Cinnamon Good for Weight Loss: Benefits, How It Works? and Precautions

We all have heard of the spice Cinnamon predominantly in the preparation of different cuisines. But did you know you can use Cinnamon for weight loss? Yes! The anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anticancer, and antioxidant properties of this wonderous spice is packed with impressive health benefits and can be easily included in your diet (1). Ceylon cinnamon aids in weight loss, according to many studies.

Cinnamon is extracted from Cinnamomum trees in the form of bark that usually grows in tropical climates. Cinnamon is called Dalchinachekka in Telugu, Dalchini in Hindi, Dalcinni in Kannada, and Pattai in Tamil. It is widely used in Indian cooking and adds an earthy, spicy flavour to the dishes. Let us go through this article to know the benefits and home remedies of using Cinnamon for weight loss.

Is Cinnamon Good for Weight Loss?

According to recent studies, consuming Cinnamon in specific doses has a positive effect on reducing body weight and abdominal fat deposits. It also aids in better digestion by increasing the metabolic rate counterbalancing the ill effects of poor diet (2).

This bitter-sweet spice collectively helps you lose weight by aiding metabolism, improve insulin function and regulate blood sugar levels. Although Cinnamon has health benefits if you are on a quest to lose weight, pair it with a balanced diet and regular exercise for effective results.

Types of Cinnamon That Help in Weight Loss:

1. Cassia or Chinese Cinnamon:

This type of Cinnamon has Coumarin in large quantities, leading to toxic effects if taken in excess. The Cassia Cinnamon has a bitter and spicy taste.

2. Ceylon or True Cinnamon:

This type of Cinnamonnn is extensively used in weight loss diets since it has Coumarin in low percentages. Coumarin is a chemical that attributes to the Cinnamon’s aromata, which can be harmful when taken in excess. It has a reddish-brown colour and tastes slightly sweet.

3. Indonesian Cinnamon:

This type of Cinnamon has a strong aroma and a spicy flavour.

4. Vietnamese or Saigon Cinnamon:

This type of Cinnamon tastes spicy and sweet with an intense flavour.

Although all these Cinnamon types are suitable, choosing Ceylon is the right and safe choice to use this spice for weight loss home remedies.

Cinnamon Benefits for Weight Loss:

Here is the list of some of the benefits Cinnamon or Dalchini contributes to body fat management, thereby resulting in weight loss:

1. Improves Insulin Sensitivity:

Insulin plays an essential role in regulating the glucose levels in the blood, and Cinnamon has polyphenols that improve insulin sensitivity. You face many health issues like obesity, diabetes, fat accumulation, and obesity triggered problems if your body doesn’t produce enough insulin. According to research, Cinnamon alleviates insulin resistance in women with PCOD when included in your diet (3).

2. Antioxidant Effect:

The large amounts of polyphenol antioxidants present in Cinnamon protect your body against the free radicles and prevent fat deposition in the tissues by aiding better oxidation in your body. The anti-inflammatory effects of this spice help the maintenance of a healthy body (4).

3. Fights Obesity:

Excess consumption of calories, paired with a sedentary lifestyle and stress, results in obesity in many. The characteristic flavour of Cinnamon comes from a compound called Cinnamaldehyde. According to studies, consuming Cinnamon helps reduce body weight and waist circumference effectively (5).

See Also: Homemade Cinnamon Oil Making

Best Time to Take Cinnamon for Weight Loss:

Drinking the health tonic first thing in the morning improves metabolism and digestion. It also gives you a boost of energy all through to lunch.

Mix 1/4th tbsp of Cinnamon powder and honey to a glass of water and drink this mixture thirty minutes before breakfast and during the night before you sleep.

Don’t go overboard with Cinnamon and use one-inch cinnamon bark or one to two tbsp of Cinnamon powder per day to avoid any side effects.

Easy Ways to Use Cinnamon to Lose Weight:

Here is the list of ways you can easily include Cinnamon into your diet.

1. Cinnamon Powder:

You can use Cinnamon powder for weight loss if you are not into chewing raw Cinnamon sticks. Using ground dalchini in baking, herbal teas, and cooking will not only be beneficial in aiding weight loss but add spice to it. Although Cinnamon powder is readily available in the market, you can prepare it at home.

Ingredients:

½ cup of Cinnamon sticks.
½ tbsp of brown sugar.

Preparation:

Add the Cinnamon sticks to a heated pan.
Roast the Cinnamon without burning them for about two to three minutes.
Let them cool down.
Grind the roasted sticks with brown sugar until it forms a powder.
Remove any lumps by sieving through the powder.
Store it in a glass container for further use.

How to Use:

You can use this powder for soups or any other dishes up to two times per day.
You can mix the powder into a glass of water and drink it.

2. Cinnamon Tea for Weight Loss:

Using Cinnamon to reduce weight by preparing tea and alleviating other health issues like PCOS and flatulence (6). You will be able to reduce belly fat by adding honey to the drink. This tea will reduce cravings for a long time by improving satiety.

Ingredients:

½ tbsp of Cinnamon powder.
One cup of water.
One tbsp of honey.

Preparation:

Boil a cup of water and add the cinnamon powder to it.
Let it steep for a few minutes.
Switch the stove off after a minute.
Add honey once it cools down to drinking temperature.
Mix the contents thoroughly and drink it.

How to use:

You can drink this tea twice a day for effective results.

3. Cinnamon Capsules for Weight Loss:

Cinnamon is available in capsules and can be taken strictly under a physician’s guidance to be safe. Although there is no specific information regarding Cinnamon capsules’ usage, 500 milligrams and 6 grams daily is the recommended dosage according to manufacturers. To avoid side effects consuming these capsules with a carbohydrate-rich meal is advised.

4. Honey And Cinnamon for Weight Loss:

This rich source of antioxidants and anti-bacterial properties of Cinnamon and honey is a perfect combination to lose weight naturally (7). Your body will be able to fight viruses and bacteria by boosting your immune system.

Ingredients:

¼ tbsp of Cinnamon powder.
½ tbsp of honey.

Preparation:

Take the Cinnamon powder into a small bowl and add honey to it.
Mix the contents thoroughly.

How to use:

You can consume this mixture twice a day.

5. Hot Water and Cinnamon for Weight Loss:

When combined with hot water, Cinnamon gives your body a thorough clean up of the excess fat. This concoction is easy to prepare and has many health benefits.

Ingredients:

One glass of hot water.
½ tbsp of ground cinnamon powder.

Preparation:

Add the ground cinnamon powder to the glass of hot water.
Mix the contents thoroughly.

How to use:

Drinking this mixture early in the morning on an empty stomach gives you the desired results.

6. Clove and Cinnamon Tea for Weight Loss:

Clove and Cinnamon is yet another power-packed combination that combines intense and sweet tones to the drink (8). The antiviral, antimicrobial, and antiseptic properties of cloves and Cinnamon and antioxidants stimulate the digestive system.

Ingredients:

One tbsp of cloves.
½ tbsp of Cinnamon powder.
One cup of water.

Preparation:

Boil the cup of water and add cloves and Cinnamon to it.
Let it steep for a few minutes.
Strain the liquid and serve.

How to use:

Drinking this tea once or twice a day does the trick.

7. Apple and Cinnamon Water for Weight Loss:

Detox water is gaining prominence due to its beneficial effects, especially in losing weight healthily. Apples not only boost the immune system and helps lose weight by flushing out toxins (9). At the same time, Cinnamon aids digestion by speeding up the metabolism.

Ingredients:

One gallon of water.
Four to six apples.
Six Cinnamon sticks.

Preparation:

Boil the water and bring it to simmer.
Add the cored and sliced apples to the water.
Now add the Cinnamon sticks to the steaming water.
Let it simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.
Strain the water into a jug.
Add some freshly sliced apples and a Cinnamon stick to the water and refrigerate it.

How to use:

You can drink this detox water twice a day or one glass before your meals to avoid any cravings.

8. Ginger and Cinnamon Tea for Weight Loss:

Ginger and Cinnamon are packed with polyphenol antioxidants that protect your body from oxidative stress (10). It also increases the heat in your body, increasing the metabolism resulting in weight loss. It also helps reduce inflammation in your body.

Ingredients:

One tbsp of freshly grated ginger.
¼ tbsp of Cinnamon.
One cup of water.

Preparation:

Boil the cup of water and add ginger and Cinnamon to it.
Let it steep for a few minutes.
Strain the liquid into a cup and drink it.
You can add honey if you want.

How to use:

Try to drink it twice a day and make sure not to overdo it since ginger may cause diarrhea in some people.

9. Black Coffee and Cinnamon for Weight Loss:

If you are looking for an easy way to lose weight, adding dalchini to your cup of black coffee is the right choice. Cinnamon boosts the metabolism and also suppresses appetite resulting in healthy weight loss.

Ingredients:

One cup of black coffee.
¼ tbsp of ground cinnamon powder.

Preparation:

Make yourself a cup of black coffee and add the ground cinnamon powder to it.
Mix the contents thoroughly.

How to use:

You can drink a cup of this concoction once or twice a day.
Make sure you don’t drink too much of this mixture since it may cause side effects.

10. Cinnamon and Lemon for Weight Loss:

The combination of Lemon and Cinnamon can be extremely beneficial in losing weight. The vitamin C present in the Lemon not only protects your body but helps you lose weight when combined with the properties of Cinnamon.

Ingredients:

Two tbsp of lemon juice.
¼ tbsp of ground cinnamon powder.
A cup of water.

Preparation:

Boil a cup of water and add cinnamon powder to it.
Let it steep for a few minutes.
Please switch off the stove and add Lemon to it.
You can add honey as per your choice.
Mix the contents well and drink.

How to Use:

Drink a cup of this drink first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.

11. Green Tea and Cinnamon for Weight Loss:

Cinnamon and green tea contain numerous phytochemicals that are very beneficial and also have free radical-scavenging properties. Cinnamon green tea helps absorb nutrients in the food by increasing your body’s ability to enhance digestion (11). You can directly buy this product from the market too.

Ingredients:

One spoonful of dried green tea leaves.
¼ tbsp of cinnamon powder.
One cup of water.

Preparation:

Boil the cup of water.
Add green tea leaves and cinnamon powder to the hot water.
Let it steep for a few minutes.
Strain the water into a cup, and you can add honey if you want.

How to use:

You can drink this tea at least twice a day.

12. Garlic and Cinnamon for Weight Loss:

The anti-pathogenic, anti-inflammatory, and pro-gut flora present in garlic combined with the antioxidants present in the cinnamon bark help improve the digestive process aiding in weight loss (12).

Ingredients:

Two to three smashes of garlic cloves.
One cup of water.
½ tbsp of Cinnamon.

Preparation:

Boil a cup of water and add the smashed garlic to it.
Add cinnamon powder to the mixture and let it steep for a few minutes.
Strain the liquid into a cup, and you can add honey as per your choice.

How to use:

You can drink this tea twice a day.

13. Grapefruit and Cinnamon for Weight Loss:

Grapefruit is a rich source of fiber, making you feel full, and has fewer calories aiding in weight loss (13). When combined with the goodness of Cinnamon, this juice is the one to add to your diet.

Ingredients:

Two fresh peeled grapefruits.
½ tbsp of grated ginger.
¼ tbsp of ground cinnamon.

Preparation:

Place the peeled and sliced grapefruit into a blender.
Add cinnamon powder and grated ginger to it.
Blend the contents.
Sieve the liquid into a glass and consume it fresh.

How to use:

You can add this tasty juice to the breakfast or as an evening snack instead of unhealthy eateries.

See Also: Benefits Of Cinnamon Tea And Preparation

Precautions to Know While using Cinnamon for weight loss:

Here are a few things you need to keep in mind while using Cinnamon for weight loss:

Although it has health benefits, consuming too much Cinnamon per day may cause distress.
If you are allergic, avoid consuming Cinnamon.
Cinnamon may interact with blood-thinning medication, so it is better to consult your doctor if you have any pre-existing medical conditions.
Eat every two to three hours to lose weight efficiently.
Along with consuming Cinnamon, make sure to keep an eye on the portion size of your meal.
Pick up a hobby to burn all the extra calories, such as outdoor sports, dance, or an exercise routine.

Cinnamon is one of the best spices that aid in weight loss, but it doesn’t have magical properties. Along with small doses of Cinnamon, a low-calorie balanced diet will provide you with effective results in combination with a perfect exercise routine. If you are suffering from chronic health problems, pregnancy, lactating, or using long-term medications, consult your doctor before using Cinnamon.

Disclaimer: The content provided in this article is for informational purposes only and not a replacement for medical advice. The website is not responsible for the effects these opinions may have on your body, and it is best to consult your doctor before starting anything new.

FAQ:

1. What are the side effects of consuming Cinnamon in excess?

Ans: Here are some of the side effects that occur when you consume Cinnamon in excess amounts.

It may cause liver damage.
May increase the risk of cancer.
It may cause sores in the mouth.
It may cause low blood sugar.
May cause breathing issues.
It may interact with some medications.

2. Is it safe to consume dry Cinnamon regularly?

Ans: Although consuming dry Cinnamon might seem harmless, it can be hazardous when taken in large amounts. Cinnamon cannot be broken down if it reaches your lungs, which may cause permanent damage. Therefore consume Cinnamon in required quantities and not in excess.

3. What to look at before buying Cinnamon for weight loss?

Ans: Most of the supplements available on the shelves of the market can be assumed to be Cassia Cinnamon. But, make sure to check if the supplements have cassia or Ceylon Cinnamon. To avoid any side effects, consult your doctor before including Cinnamon in your diet.