Does cinnamon help you lose weight: beneficial properties of the spice and recipes for fat-burning drinks

Excess weight is a problem for many modern people, especially women.

To get rid of extra pounds, many of them go on strict diets and take diet pills, which can be dangerous to their health.

But there is a more affordable and safe natural fat burner product for weight loss - cinnamon.

The seasoning is added to various drinks and dishes to normalize weight and strengthen the immune system. But before using recipes, you need to study the beneficial properties and contraindications of the spice.

Beneficial properties of the spice: how it promotes weight loss

The spice contains many microelements that are necessary for diabetics and obese patients. Cinnamon also helps with digestive disorders.

Useful properties of the seasoning for weight loss:

1. Normalizes sugar levels . The spice normalizes the production of insulin, which is responsible for the absorption of glucose by the body's cells, thereby regulating the level of glucose in the blood plasma.
2. Prevents the development of diabetes mellitus . Due to the presence of specific bioactive compounds, it increases the cells' perception of insulin, a hormone whose absorption disorder causes diabetes mellitus. Thanks to this, you can significantly reduce your sugar intake.
3. Speeds up metabolic processes. The benefit of cinnamon is that it facilitates the digestion of fatty and protein foods, thereby reducing the load on the pancreas and liver. A drink made from cinnamon and honey is used for weight loss.
4. Reduces appetite. With the right combination of spices with other components, the body becomes full faster. This is due to the influence of chemicals in cinnamon on the chemoreceptors of the stomach and duodenum.
5. Reduces cholesterol levels. The seasoning is used to prevent atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke. The chemicals contained in cinnamon prevent the formation of atherosclerotic plaques on the walls of blood vessels, and also accelerate the processes of biological breakdown of cholesterol and the formation of biological substances based on it.
6. Strengthens the immune response . Cinnamon contains substances that enhance the body's immune response when foreign agents (bacteria, viruses, etc.) penetrate it. Cinnamon also helps maintain the immune system in a state of “readiness for invasion” from the outside.
7. Supports stable functioning of the endocrine system . Due to the high content of organic and inorganic substances in cinnamon, the production of a number of hormones is activated, including the main male sex hormone, testosterone.
8. Increases food digestibility . The spice stimulates the secretion of gastric juice and digestive enzymes, accelerates the motility of the stomach and intestines, which allows food to be absorbed by the body faster and in full.

The beneficial properties of cinnamon for women are difficult to list. The spice improves skin condition, accelerates hair growth, relieves nervous tension, relieves PMS symptoms, etc. Cinnamon is especially useful for the female body because it helps normalize the ovulatory (menstrual) cycle.

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Which is better: ground or stick?

Cinnamon for weight loss should be fresh, as evidenced by its pronounced sweetish aroma.

If a spice has practically no smell, then it is not suitable for use. In such cinnamon the content of spicy and beneficial substances is minimal.

Ground spice and sticks are available for sale.

The question of which one is better is quite relevant. Those losing weight can use both options, although nutritionists insist on using sticks.

Important! Cinnamon should be stored in a glass jar in a place protected from the sun. The sticks must be consumed within 12 months, and the powder within six months.

Contraindications

Those losing weight need to know how to use cinnamon so as not to harm the body. To do this, you must follow the dosage indicated in the recipe.

Attention! An overdose of spice increases the risk of abdominal pain, bowel disorders and headaches. But the most dangerous manifestation of a cinnamon overdose is a drop in blood pressure, which is potentially life-threatening.

Spice is contraindicated in the following cases:

1. Arterial hypertension.
2. The period of gestation.
3. Nervous disorders. Especially epilepsy and schizophrenia.
4. Infections that are accompanied by fever.
5. Massive blood loss.
6. Decreased platelet count.
7. Allergy to cinnamon.

If negative reactions occur after using cinnamon, you should abandon this method of losing weight.

Expert opinion

Evgeniy Kislitsa

Practicing surgeon. Certified massage master. Two-time vice-champion and heavyweight champion of regional kettlebell lifting competitions.

In addition to the above contraindications, cinnamon should not be consumed by people who have low blood pressure, gastritis and/or peptic ulcers of the stomach and/or duodenum. This is due to the fact that cinnamon has an irritating effect on the gastric mucosa, which causes stimulation of cells that secrete gastric juice and hydrochloric acid, which damage the mucous membrane of the stomach and/or duodenum. Any other inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, especially in the active phase. A contraindication to the use of spices is an increase in body temperature (especially a feverish state) and general intoxication of the body. The use of cinnamon in the presence of these contraindications will lead to an exacerbation of these diseases or aggravation of the course of their acute form. Those who have been diagnosed with neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract, especially malignant ones, should be wary of consuming cinnamon.

How to use it correctly to reduce fat

Those who are losing weight are interested in the question of how to use the spice in order to lose excess weight.

To get only the benefits of the spice, follow these recommendations:

• study contraindications before use;
• follow the dosage;

Important! It is forbidden to take more than ½ teaspoon of spice per day; this will have a bad effect on the functions of the liver and kidneys.

• prepare a single serving of cinnamon-based weight loss product;
• give preference to spices in the form of sticks;
• combine cinnamon products with proper nutrition and exercise;
• get enough sleep, this does not mean that you need to sleep for a strict amount of time, sleep should last as long as necessary to restore the body’s strength.

Knowing how to use the spice, you will enhance the fat burning effect and improve your overall well-being. The spice will also help get rid of some digestive problems.

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Dried ginger for weight loss

With lemon

An effective and pleasant-tasting drink based on water, cinnamon and lemon will trigger fat burning processes in the body and promote weight loss. The classic recipe is to mix a liter of water, the juice of half a lemon and two cinnamon sticks, cut into pieces, in a glass jug. Place the drink on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator for 12 hours. Drink a glass daily half an hour before meals.

Do not prepare the infusion in advance, because after 24 hours its beneficial properties will decrease, which is not the best effect on your slim figure. To improve the results, you can supplement the resulting mixture with dried ginger powder (half a teaspoon) or grated fresh root of the plant (a piece 1-2 cm long). This will further speed up your metabolism. If the taste is too hot, replace the water with kefir, it will soften the bitterness.

How to brew and cook correctly: effective recipes

To lose weight with the help of a spice, you need to know how to use it correctly.

The spice can be used in its pure form (powder) with water. It is also added to dishes (porridge, soups, meat, baked fruits, etc.). Sweet products with cinnamon are not suitable for diet. After all, they contain a lot of calories, which neutralize all the benefits of cinnamon for losing weight.

But the most popular is the combination of seasoning with drinks. So, it is better absorbed and shows its effect faster.

Attention! To speed up weight loss processes, it is most beneficial to consume cinnamon on an empty stomach . However, this recipe is suitable only for those people who do not have problems with the gastrointestinal tract: gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastric and duodenal ulcers, and other inflammatory diseases of the digestive tract.

Not everyone who is losing weight knows how to properly prepare a cinnamon-based drink. To experience the benefits of the spice, it must be combined with the right foods.

The combination of spices and honey is considered classic; this drink promotes weight loss and strengthens the immune system. The ingredients are poured with boiling water and allowed to brew.

To prepare a fat-burning drink with spice and ginger, add cinnamon to green tea, separately prepare an infusion of grated ginger, and then combine the liquids.

To prepare apple water, pour in the crushed fruit and seasoning, add liquid at room temperature, infuse, then filter and drink.

The easiest way to prepare a kefir-cinnamon drink. Both components are mixed and taken on an empty stomach.

Let's take a closer look at how to drink them correctly and the recipes for preparing them.

Drink with ginger, lemon, honey, apples

Water with lemon and ginger for weight loss is a recipe that is considered very effective for fat burning. It is simple and helps achieve the desired results.

To lose weight on your stomach and sides at home, you can use a drink recipe based on spices and honey:

1. Brew tea as you usually do (without sugar).
2. Add 1 cinnamon stick to the liquid and leave for 5 minutes.
3. Before use, stir 3-5 g of honey in a cup.

You may also be interested in: Can you eat honey while on a weight loss diet?

This drink will speed up your metabolism.

In combination with ginger, the drink gives a double effect. With regular use, fat deposits are burned faster, metabolism is accelerated, and the likelihood of accumulation of new fats is reduced. The following recipes using cinnamon and ginger are popular:

1. Cinnamon-ginger tea:

• Brew tea, add 2 spice sticks, pour a glass of boiled water;
• separately grate 50 g of ginger root, pour ½ cup of boiling water over the mixture;
• After half an hour, filter the liquids and combine.

1. Drink with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg:

• grind the ginger (20 g of root), add 2 g of cinnamon and nutmeg to the mixture;
• Brew 200 ml of boiling water, leave for 8-12 hours;
• Before use, you can add a slice of lemon and 1 teaspoon of honey.

To make fat burn, saturate the body with useful substances, and quench thirst, you can prepare a drink from ginger, lemon, honey, apples:

• peel, cut 10 g of ginger into slices, zest 2 lemons;
• place ginger, 10 apples (slit), 2 spice sticks, lemon zest and water (5 l) into a saucepan;
• put on the fire, and when it boils, reduce the heat, simmer for 3 minutes;
• filter, add a little honey and lemon juice.

You may also be interested in: Is it possible to eat apples while losing weight?

Apple water

Water with apple acts delicately, saturates cells with useful substances, improves the condition of the skin and hair. In combination with cinnamon, the drink reduces body volume.

Cooking method:

1. Cut 1 apple into slices.
2. Place on the bottom of the pan, add 1 stick of spice, and top with a few more slices of fruit.
3. Pour a glass of water and refrigerate for 10 hours.
4. Filter and drink.

Apple water speeds up metabolism and helps reduce body circumference without harm to health.

Important! Considering that cinnamon promotes the release of hydrochloric acid in the stomach and gastric juice, and apples contain acids, drinking this drink is recommended for those who suffer from low acidity in the stomach.

With cottage cheese

To lose weight, you can use not only drinks, but also dishes. For example, cottage cheese with spices will help normalize weight. Take a low-fat fermented milk product and add a pinch of cinnamon. If the dish is very dry, then it can be supplemented with 30 g of sour cream (up to 10% fat content).

With banana

This drink helps you lose extra pounds, gives you energy, and improves heart function.

Method for making banana cinnamon drink:

1. Pour 1 liter of water, put 2 spice sticks there, put on fire until it boils.
2. Add chopped banana (2 pieces) to the liquid and bring to a boil again.
3. Filter, consume.

Drink this drink at night (60 minutes before bedtime).

With oatmeal

Another good diet dish is oatmeal with cinnamon. It normalizes the bacterial flora of the intestines, reduces the amount of cholesterol, gives a feeling of satiety, and improves metabolic processes.

Recipe:

1. Pour 300 ml of water and 200 ml of milk (low-fat) into a saucepan.
2. When the liquid boils, add 1 cup oatmeal.
3. 5 minutes before the end of cooking, add ½ teaspoon of spice.

If desired, the porridge can be supplemented with dried berries, flax seeds, and nuts.

Expert opinion

Evgeniy Kislitsa

Practicing surgeon. Certified massage master. Two-time vice-champion and heavyweight champion of regional kettlebell lifting competitions.

Those who want to lose weight can also use a kefir-brown drink. The choice of preparation of the drink depends on the individual taste preferences of the person losing weight. The classic recipe involves 200 ml of fermented milk product and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon. If you want to diversify the flavor palette or speed up the process of burning fat, you can resort to the following recipes: a cocktail with the addition of ginger (200 ml kefir, ½ teaspoon of cinnamon and the same amount of ground ginger); a product with the addition of red pepper (preparation is similar to the previous option, but pepper is added instead of root vegetables), not recommended for inflammatory diseases of the stomach and duodenum; drink with honey (200 ml kefir, 1 teaspoon of honey, ½ teaspoon of spice). In addition to these options, you can add herbs, mint, lemon or lime, unsweetened fruits or seasonal berries to your weight loss product. You can also diversify the recipe with grated dark dark chocolate or add ½ teaspoon of cocoa powder. It is recommended to drink the mixture in the morning immediately after waking up and then every 4-5 hours or before each meal 10-15 minutes before meals. However, you should not get too carried away with the product. In large quantities, cinnamon has a negative effect on the liver. It is not advisable to consume the fat-burning mixture at night. The last dose should be 3 hours before going to bed.

Cinnamon for weight loss - reviews

We conducted a small survey of women who use cinnamon water in their diet. These were women of different ages, some led a sedentary lifestyle, others an active one, some had children, others did not, two already had grandchildren.

Of the 22 women surveyed, 19 were satisfied with the results of using cinnamon for weight loss. Feedback from women is given below.

Alena, 29 years old

I ate a lot since childhood. I could eat pasta with bread and mayonnaise, immediately after that tea with cookies and chocolate. Then I went on strict diets and brought my body to the point of exhaustion.

Something clicked in my head and I realized that I was only harming myself. I started eating right and doing exercises at home. I always take water with me, which I make from cinnamon sticks. It energizes me very well in the morning, I drink it an hour after I eat.

I drink more for prevention, so that the excess is not deposited anywhere, plus it greatly reduces appetite, a real talisman against overeating at a party. And if you add mint and ice, you get a cool, refreshing drink.

Maria, 21 years old

I saw a friend drinking some strange muddy water. The main thing is with such pleasure. She told me that this is a new trend for weight loss - cinnamon water. And the body is gently cleansed, and weight is reduced, and fat melts right before our eyes.

I had 2-3 extra kilograms, I ate it up over the holidays. And playing sports... I'm lazy. In general, I listened enough and prepared it. I don’t know who made the proportions, but it’s impossible to drink. I decided to add it to coffee.

I’m already a coffee lover, but it turned out that this makes coffee even tastier. I noticed that I became more active, my memory improved, my mood was high, but my appetite decreased.

During PMS I didn’t crave sweets, I didn’t crave huge portions of food, and there was no swelling of the body either. I lost my excess in 11 days. Now I’m just making myself coffee with cinnamon spice - I really like the taste.

Valentina, 34 years old

I went to Belgium on vacation last year. It's impossible to resist their waffles. The portions are huge, they throw in more fruit and pour chocolate and whipped cream on top. Awesome.

Out of hunger I destroyed 3 servings. The feeling of heaviness did not even go away after 2 hours. I sat down in a cafe, I thought I’d drink something cool and make me feel better. They brought me cinnamon tea with lemon. I tried it, it tastes amazing. And the heaviness in my stomach instantly disappeared.

I asked the waiter, it turns out they serve this kind of tea to “help” the food digest faster. Since then I often make such drinks at home. I drink before meals - this makes me want to eat less and before going on a visit, so as not to overeat.

Well, if I wanted to have a belly celebration, then in an hour I can drink tea with cinnamon. And like new. And your mood improves, you don’t reproach yourself for what you ate. And the energy is overflowing, the drink accelerates the metabolism well. In general, I recommend it to everyone.

Cinnamon spice has proven itself as an excellent remedy against excess weight. We have given only a small part of how it is useful.

Try it, experiment. Be beautiful.

Share our article on social networks, tell your friends about us. We also ask you to share your favorite recipes for using cinnamon for weight loss and the results in the comments.

When is the spice healthier: in the morning or evening and at night

Drinks and dishes with aromatic spices are useful in the morning and before bed.

In the morning they are consumed on an empty stomach; this is necessary so that the spice starts metabolism and reduces appetite before the next meal. It is especially useful in this case to use kefir with cinnamon.

It is recommended to drink drinks before bed, the main thing is not to exceed the daily dose of cinnamon.

The question of how to eat dishes with spices before bed is quite relevant.

If hunger bothers you in the evening, then prepare cottage cheese or oatmeal with cinnamon, which will give you a feeling of fullness and speed up metabolic processes in the body.

The main thing is to use low-calorie foods during cooking.

Water with honey-cinnamon mixture

An excellent mixture is cinnamon and honey for weight loss. Drinking water with the addition of such ingredients reduces weight, removes fat deposits from the abdomen , and makes the figure slim. The drink improves digestion and tones the body. To make it, pour a quarter teaspoon of cinnamon powder into a glass of boiling water and wait a little. Place a teaspoon of honey in warm water and add a slice of lime or lemon if desired. Take the cocktail in the morning on an empty stomach (half an hour before breakfast) and before bed.

Diets and fasting

There are different diets based on oriental spices:

1. Fruity. Combine with fresh or baked fruit. During the diet, it is recommended to eat 4 times and drink filtered water. It lasts 7 days, after which you can lose 4 kg of weight.
2. Cottage cheese. In the morning, a person should consume 100 g of cottage cheese with a pinch of spice. Fruits are used as a snack. The cottage cheese diet helps to reduce the caloric content of the diet and get rid of 2-3 kg.
3. Honey-cinnamon. Before each meal you need to consume a mixture (3 teaspoons of honey and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon). You need to eat three times; the diet includes plant foods, cereals, lean meat, and fish.

Important! Before following the honey-cinnamon diet, learn how each ingredient affects you. After all, honey and spices can cause allergies. In addition, this style of eating is contraindicated for diabetics.

Drinks and mixtures with cinnamon are used for fasting days. They are taken 2 times a week in the morning and evening. The rest of the time you can eat vegetables, fruits, and grains. Such “unloading” will help normalize metabolism and gradually reduce weight.

Attention! Before starting a diet or fasting days, it is strongly recommended to consult with your doctor. After all, there may be contraindications to such nutrition that you didn’t even know about.

Expert recommendations

The opinion of nutritionists regarding the inclusion of honey and cinnamon in the diet for weight loss is clear. Experts in the field of healthy nutrition are confident that the cinnamon-honey composition can undoubtedly help in getting rid of extra pounds, but only if you follow the general recommendations that are relevant when following a diet.

Margarita Koroleva, nutritionist

Margarita, having included a cinnamon-honey mixture in the menu of her self-developed diet, assures that this is how someone losing weight can adhere to strict eating rules for as long as possible. In addition to the objective positive effect of such a composition on the body of someone losing weight, it can also be used as a dessert. Relaxations of this kind are necessary for the normal psycho-emotional state of a person who has been following a low-carbohydrate diet for a long time. In this case, the cinnamon-honey mixture can be considered a healthy treat that cannot harm the figure of someone losing weight.

Natalya Kozhina, nutritionist

Natalya recommends that her patients include a drink of cinnamon and honey in their daily menu. She justifies this by the ease of preparing a snack of this kind, as well as its high effectiveness in weight loss processes.

Lyudmila Ivankova, general practitioner

Lyudmila assures that in the absence of contraindications for health reasons, consuming a cinnamon-honey mixture in the diet will not only help normalize metabolic processes, but will also improve the health of those losing weight. Taking 1 tsp. Taking this mixture on an empty stomach improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Lyudmila advises not to exceed the daily intake of cinnamon and honey, and ideally, consult a doctor before starting to take them.

Professional opinions

Nutritionists have long known about the fat-burning properties of cinnamon. They claim that in order for the spice to fully reveal its properties, you need to eat right and exercise. Before consuming drinks or dishes with spices, you should make sure there are no contraindications. Doctors remind that the permissible dose of cinnamon is ½ teaspoon.

Elena Tikhomirova, nutritionist

A nutrition specialist believes that cinnamon will help you lose weight even without strict diets, for this you need to follow these rules:

1. Avoid fatty, fried, spicy foods, processed foods, etc.
2. Breakfast should be hearty. You can use spices instead of sugar.
3. During lunch you can eat spicy fruit salads.
4. Replenish your diet with vegetables, cereals, and herbs.

If you experience nausea, headaches or other unpleasant symptoms, discard cinnamon in favor of a safer weight loss product.

Elena Bronnikova, nutritionist

According to the nutritionist, drinks with cinnamon actually help normalize weight. But to feel their benefits, you need to study the contraindications. For example, a cocktail of kefir, cinnamon, ginger, and ground red pepper is prohibited for gastritis and ulcers. Honey-cinnamon drinks and mixtures are contraindicated if you are allergic to these components. Therefore, before using fat burning products, you should consult your doctor. To avoid negative reactions, you need to follow the dosage of components in drinks.

Irina Gromova, nutritionist

Cinnamon, of course, is a good product, but you shouldn’t rely on it alone. To speed up fat burning, you need to eat right, eat 4-5 times a day. The diet should include plant-based and protein foods. Drinks and dishes with spices should be consumed twice a day (morning and evening). You can wash down your food with filtered water and green tea. In addition, physical exercise will help speed up weight loss. Massage, sauna, body wraps, etc. will help enhance the effect. However, you should remember that you should not take products with cinnamon for more than a week, as the likelihood of allergies and exacerbation of chronic diseases increases.

Variety of shapes

To make losing weight with cinnamon comfortable and ultimately lead to the results you dreamed of, you need to wisely choose the spice, which is available in several forms on the market.

• Powder

Most often, ground cinnamon is used for weight loss, but choosing a high-quality version is difficult. Importers claim that 80% of this product is the bark of cassia, a low-grade cinnamon tree. It is very difficult to distinguish a fake from the original. However, many people prefer to buy the powder because it is convenient to use. Pour it into a dish - and you can already lose weight.

• Sticks

It is much more effective to use cinnamon sticks for weight loss, which are easily crushed in a blender into the same powder. Only you will be absolutely sure that it is of high quality and real. Of course, if you managed to purchase original straws and not a fake.

• Oil

Cinnamon essential oil has a much wider spectrum of action than powder and sticks, which can also be used in the fight against excess weight. Firstly, it can be included in weight loss wraps. Secondly, use it to make excellent scrubs to eliminate cellulite. Thirdly, add a few drops to fat-burning cocktails. At the same time, you need to remember that its action is many times more effective and powerful than other forms of cinnamon, so there will also be many more contraindications.

So you can take cinnamon for weight loss in any form, choosing it in accordance with your goals, taste preferences and individual characteristics.

For example, essential oil of this spice is contraindicated for hypertensive patients, while they can consume powder and sticks in limited quantities without any harm to health.

Interesting fact. The spice consists of several (6 to 10) layers of thin inner tree bark. They curl into a stick immediately after being separated from the plant. These tubes are dried and used as a seasoning. The thinner the bark in them, the more pleasant the aroma. They are stored for a very long time.

Main conclusions

Now you know how cinnamon affects a person: it normalizes glucose levels, metabolism, reduces appetite, etc. In order for spice products to speed up fat burning and improve your overall condition, you need to follow these rules:

1. Before using products with spices, make sure that you are not allergic to them.
2. The daily dose should not exceed ½ teaspoon.
3. Choose fresh spice, preferably in stick form.
4. Combine the cinnamon diet with proper nutrition and exercise.
5. Take cinnamon for no longer than a week.
6. If negative reactions occur, avoid products containing spices.

If you follow these rules, cinnamon will help you lose from 2 to 4 kg per week. If this fails, you should consult a doctor, since the cause of excess weight may lie in disruption of the endocrine system.