Is Cinnamon Good for Weight Loss?

Introduction

Cinnamon is a spice used for thousands of years. It is obtained from the bark of the cinnamon tree. While the bark is commonly used, leaves, flowers, fruits and roots of the cinnamon trees.

The sweet aroma of this spice has been regularly used in garam masalas, mithais, bakery products, desserts and topping in sweet dishes. Cinnamon has been used in many traditional medicinal practices worldwide for its many health benefits.

One such benefit that is often spoken about is cinnamon for weight loss. Let’s learn more about it in this blog!

Nutritional Value of Cinnamon

According to USDA, the nutritional value of cinnamon is as follows:

Cinnamon Health Benefits

The key to cinnamon’s health benefits is due to the presence of certain chemical compounds(also called bioactive compounds), namely:

• Cinnamate
• Cinnamaldehyde 
• Hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA)

In some studies, cinnamon has been shown to affect insulin resistance, giving it an anti-diabetic effect. Cinnamaldehyde obtained from the bark of the cinnamon tree has been used in India for its blood glucose and triglyceride-lowering properties.

A few other properties of cinnamon include:

• Due to its ability to reduce inflammation, cinnamon can help you to manage pain and inflammatory conditions in the body.
• Cinnamon may also be beneficial for you to reduce and prevent problems with thinking and reasoning.
  
• It has been shown to lower cholesterol levels in patients with diabetes

Few studies also state cinnamon is beneficial in treating conditions like Alzheimer’s, HIV, multiple sclerosis and chronic wounds. However, more research is required in this regard.

Cinnamon and Weight Loss

Cinnamon has been the talk of the town for its weight loss-enabling property. Few studies have stated that cinnamon supplementation can improve body weight. For this reason, this spice can be used as a weight-reducing supplement in the management of obesity. 

• This spice is also said to improve insulin sensitivity and help in better blood sugar control. However, this needs to be researched further.
• According to a study, consuming 3 g/day of cinnamon for 16 weeks in Asian Indians with metabolic syndrome (a group of conditions that increase the risk for heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, etc.) brought about a significant decrease in blood sugar levels, body weight, total fat in the body, abdominal fat and cholesterol levels.
• Cinnamon for weight loss may be due to the phenolic compounds like cinnamate that have been shown to lower cholesterol, fasting blood sugar levels, triglycerides and fat cells, all of which help weight loss and prevent weight gain.

It is, however, essential to note that cinnamon alone cannot cause weight loss. You can add cinnamon to your healthy diet and exercise regime to help you reach your target weight. Discuss with your nutritionist to help create a healthy, low-calorie diet plan for effective weight management.

How to Include Cinnamon in Your Diet?

To enjoy the health benefits of cinnamon, here are some ways to include it in your diet:

• Cinnamon-roasted almonds or other nuts
• Whole-wheat cinnamon rotis
• Sprinkle cinnamon on fruits that can be eaten as a snack or for breakfast
• Adding the whole spice or powder to salads, soups and stir-fried veggies
• Adding cinnamon powder to rotis for additional flavour

FitterTake!

Cinnamon is a popular spice with several health benefits and medicinal value. Of the many benefits, cinnamon for weight loss has recently gathered momentum as many people have taken to the spice to shed a few extra kilos.

However, you must remember that consuming cinnamon for weight loss is not sufficient without other measures like dietary control and regular exercise. 

If you are wondering if cinnamon can help you lose weight, speak to our experts here. Need help losing weight? Sign up for Fitterfly’s Weight Loss Program.

You can also reach out to us by just giving us a missed call at 08069450746, and we will get back to you.