It turns out that this popular favorite holiday spice is good for more than just eggnog and cinnamon rolls.
In fact, there is an array of evidence which suggests that cinnamon can be a powerful ally for weight loss and overall health.
Cinnamon has been highly valued throughout history. Coveted for both its flavor and medicinal properties, cinnamon used to only be available to the very wealthy.
Cinnamon is harvested from the bark of tropical Cinnamomum trees. The inside of the bark is dried in to sticks and then powdered resulting in the spice we all know and love.
So how is it that this delicious and common spice can help you manage your weight and improve your health?
Here are 7 fat-burning benefits of Cinnamon:
If you want to lose weight, you need to manage your blood sugar. Thankfully, blood sugar regulation may be cinnamon’s most well known benefit. In fact there is ongoing research into using cinnamon to manage diabetes.
Cinnamon has been demonstrated to reduce the amount of post-meal glucose in the blood. This is a result of cinnamon’s ability to inhibit a number of enzymes involved in the breakdown of carbohydrates.
Another way cinnamon regulates blood sugar is by imitating insulin and improving glucose uptake in cells. Human trials have shown cinnamon to lower fasting blood-glucose levels by up to 29%.
This is not the only relationship cinnamon has with insulin.
Insulin regulates the amount of glucose in the blood. Reduced sensitivity to insulin is the driver of obesity and diabetes. To lose weight, you must improve your insulin sensitivity.
One of the primary bioactive components of cinnamon is an essential oil called cinnamaldehyde. This molecule can actually increase the production of insulin. Additionally, the polyphenols found in cinnamon can aid in the function of insulin receptors and increase the cell’s glucose metabolism by up to 20%.
A recent study from the University of Michigan has shown that cinnamaldehyde can improve metabolic health.
The in vitro research was conducted on both rat and human cells. What the researchers found was the cinnamaldehyde was able to induce thermogenesis in adipocytes (fat cells). Thermogenesis is the process by which cells burn fat to produce heat and energy.
This one of the most promising ways cinnamon can aid in your weight loss efforts.
Inflammation is at the root of most disease, including diabetes and obesity. One of the primary markers of inflammation is cytokines. Research has shown cinnamon to decrease inflammatory cytokines and increase anti-inflammatory proteins.
This is likely due to the presence of at least 7 different anti-inflammatory flavonoids that have been identified in cinnamon. Less inflammation leads to a more balanced body weight.
Obesity is tightly linked to a process called oxidative stress. Oxidative stress results in the formation of free-radicals. Free radicals are a byproduct of toxin exposure and sugar consumption. The best way to combat free-radical damage is with antioxidants.
According to some researchers, cinnamon is the 7th most dense source of antioxidants known to man! In fact it beats out other powerful herbs such as oregano, garlic, rosemary, and thyme.
The antioxidants in cinnamon have a particularly profound effect on cardiovascular health.
Heart disease begins with inflammation in the arteries. The antioxidants in cinnamon can support healthy arterial inflammation levels.
1 gram of cinnamon per day has been shown to reduce total cholesterol, LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, and triglycerides, while keeping HDL (“good”) cholesterol stable.
Cinnamon is also thought to prevent clumping of platelets in the blood reducing risk of heart attack and stroke.
While not directly related, cognitive health is an important aspect of weight loss. Sticking with a diet and exercise regimen requires willpower and determination. If you are plagues by brain fog, anxiety, and/or depression, weight loss can be next to impossible.
Research has shown that the potent antioxidant in cinnamon may protect against the onset of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. Cinnamon promotes activity of neuroprotective proteins which reduce free-radical damage and mutation of brain cells.
There are two types of cinnamon available. Cassia cinnamon and ceylon cinnamon. They are two different but related plants which grow in different parts of the world.
Cassia cinnamon is the form most commonly sold in grocery stores. It is cheaper than ceylon and not as viable for health related use. This is because cassia cinnamon is high in a compound called coumarin. Coumarin can be toxic to the liver in high doses, and since up to a gram per day is recommended for health benefits, it is best to avoid cassia cinnamon.
Ceylon cinnamon, on the other hand, has much less coumarin. Ceylon is slightly more expensive but it can be found in most health food stores or online. It is also important to buy organic cinnamon when available to avoid exposure to toxic pesticides.
Cinnamon is quite a palatable spice and can be incorporated in both sweet and savory dishes. You can even add a few dashes to your Keto Coffee.
Another option is a daily serving of Fermented Green Supremefood. This high quality whole food supplement contains cinnamon in addition to a number of other health promoting superfoods, vegetables, herbs, and probiotics.
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