The Secret About Cinnamon

There are two main types of cinnamon: Ceylon cinnamon, also known as true cinnamon, grows primarily in Sri Lanka and isn’t as common in the states, whereas the darker-colored Cassia cinnamon is the one you’ll find at your local grocery store.

It is a spice that comes from the bark of tropical evergreen trees. Not only is cinnamon used in cooking and baking, but extracts from the bark (as well as leaves, flowers, fruits, and roots of the cinnamon tree) have been used medicinally for thousands of years. In the past, it was used to help treat a number of medical conditions, including respiratory illness, gynecological issues, and digestive problems. In more recent decades, it has shown promise to help lower blood sugar levels in diabetics, and with weight loss. The secret’s out…cinnamon does more than just spice up your food!

Cinnamon and Diabetes

Some smaller studies have shown that cinnamon does have an effect on blood glucose levels (and cholesterol) in those with type 2 diabetes. Interestingly, there seems to be a different effect based on the type of cinnamon used. Cassia cinnamon has shown the most promise in controlling blood glucose, while the Ceylon species of cinnamon is just beginning to be studied. This may be partially because Ceylon is harder to come by.

A smaller Chinese study published in the journal Nutrition Research found evidence of cinnamon lowering blood glucose levels in patients that took cinnamon supplements, in contrast to those who were given a placebo.

Cinnamon and Weight Loss

Cinnamon supplementation positively affects obesity: Although no large-scale studies done so far provide sufficient evidence that cinnamon alone can help you lose belly fat, when taken along with a balanced diet and regular exercise, cinnamon may help speed up your weight loss journey. How? Some studies suggest that cinnamon may help you lose weight through various mechanisms, such as boosting metabolic rate, stabilizing blood sugar levels, and controlling appetite (due to the high amounts of fiber in the spice).

It’s important to note that cinnamon alone will not lead to long-term weight loss. And because cinnamon is unproven as a “treatment,” there isn’t a set dose. However, some experts suggest one teaspoon of cinnamon, which contains 1.6 grams of fiber, is a good amount to add to your food each day.

Ceylon and Cassia cinnamon both contain coumarin. When coumarin is consumed in extremely high doses, it may cause some dangerous side effects. However, as a spice, it would be unusual for someone to consume large enough amounts of either type of cinnamon to cause concern. Always talk to your doctor before making significant changes your diet.

As mentioned previously, cinnamon powder is commonly added to toast and baked into pastries, but there are numerous other delicious ways to incorporate cinnamon into your diet. Many ethnic cuisines including, Indian, Mexican, Middle Eastern, and North African, use cinnamon as a primary spice in savory dishes. But if you need some specific recipes that include a bit of the spice, click the button below to book a Complimentary Assessment!