Lose weight with cinnamon? That’s not so far-fetched, because there are many health-promoting substances in the Christmas spice. But there are also a few things to consider. Learn more about the cinnamon diet here.
When it comes to cinnamon, few people immediately think of losing weight, but rather of Christmas cookies. Cinnamon also gives curries, homemade spice mixtures or chai lattes a special taste. The spice is made from the bark of the cinnamon tree, which belongs to the laurel family. Only two types of cinnamon are important here in Germany: Cassia cinnamon and Ceylon cinnamon. You can find more information about the types of cinnamon here: Cinnamon: effects, ingredients and differences between the types.
Cinnamon is not only a delicious spice, but is also considered a medicinal plant. It contains many phytochemicals, can help to regulate blood sugar levels and is even said to be able to prevent cancer. Due to its ingredients, cinnamon can also help with weight loss.
How does cinnamon help you lose weight?
The cinnamon diet is touted in many lifestyle magazines. And not without good reason: In fact, there is evidence that cinnamon can help you lose weight – due to its ingredients and in connection with a balanced, healthy diet.
Cinnamon has been shown to help lower blood sugar levels. Several studies have demonstrated this effect. Taking cinnamon lowers insulin levels and instead of breaking down sugar in the blood, it breaks down body fat.
Another study suggests that ingesting cinnamon causes the stomach to empty more slowly. As a result, the feeling of fullness lasts longer after meals and you eat less.
Cinnamon is considered a warming spice. The heat development in the body consumes additional energy and accordingly cinnamon could help with weight loss.
What you should consider with the cinnamon diet
Even small amounts of cinnamon (about one gram per day) are enough to maintain the health-promoting effects. The Federal Center for Nutrition (BZfE) recommends taking a maximum of two grams of cinnamon per day, as the spice contains a lot of the natural flavoring substance coumarin:
The lower-quality, cheaper cassia cinnamon in particular contains a lot of coumarin.
Some people are very sensitive to taking coumarin. Coumarin is also suspected of causing liver damage. The Federal Center for Risk Assessment (BfR) has therefore set a maximum amount of two grams of (cassia) cinnamon per day for adults (with a body weight of around 60 kilos). However, this is a guideline for daily, continuous intake.
If you do not consume cinnamon regularly, according to the BfR, it should be harmless to your health to exceed the amount of two grams. The common household cinnamon is also classified as generally harmless.
If you consume cinnamon regularly (e.g. with the cinnamon diet), the BfZE recommends buying higher-quality Ceylon cinnamon, as it has a lower coumarin content.
Pregnant women in particular are advised not to take too much cinnamon.
If you want to lose weight with cinnamon, we therefore recommend that you use Ceylon cinnamon – and not overdo it with the amounts of the spice.
Lose weight with cinnamon – that’s how it works
The most important thing first: If you want to lose weight with cinnamon, you should only do so in combination with a balanced and healthy diet. You can use the 10 rules for a balanced diet as a guide. In addition, sufficient exercise and sport is just as important.
For the cinnamon diet, you only need to include the spice in your daily menu. Half a teaspoon of cinnamon per day is enough. Since the spice goes with many dishes and drinks, it is not difficult:
You can mix cinnamon, water, and honey to make a drink that aids in digestion and helps burn fat.
Cinnamon is also a great addition to your morning coffee. By the way: There are also great regional alternatives to coffee.
Whether porridge, fruit salad or smoothie: Most sweet dishes taste great with a pinch of cinnamon. Of course, the spice also goes well with cakes and biscuits.
Cinnamon also goes well with hearty dishes such as a delicious pumpkin curry.
By the way: We at Utopia advise you to question diets. Do you want to lose weight in order to conform to a certain socially propagated ideal of beauty? Then think again. It is important that you feel comfortable in your body.
