Perfect pair: Honey and cinnamon can help with weight loss
08/26/2019 / By Evangelyn Rodriguez
Honey and cinnamon are known superfoods that confer various health benefits. While pure, organic honey is best-known for its antimicrobial, immune-enhancing, and healing properties, cinnamon is highly valued for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, among others. But here’s something else these two can do: When consumed together, honey and cinnamon can help people lose weight.
The health benefits of cinnamon and honey
Cinnamon is a spice known throughout ancient history. It has been used for food since the time of the Egyptian pharaohs. Today, there are two types of cinnamon used for various purposes: Ceylon cinnamon, dubbed “true” cinnamon, and cassia cinnamon, the more commonly used of the two. Between Ceylon cinnamon and cassia cinnamon, the former is considered more beneficial to health when consumed regularly.
According to studies, cinnamon is capable of stabilizing blood sugar and enhancing digestion. A compound called cinnamaldehyde, which is found in the bark of cinnamon trees and their essential oil, is credited for these biological activities. The presence of cinnamaldehyde makes cinnamon an effective natural aid for the management of weight.
Aside from improving metabolism, cinnamon confers other health benefits. These include:
- Potent antioxidant activity
- Anti-inflammatory properties
- Cholesterol and blood pressure reduction
- Improved insulin sensitivity
- Anti-diabetic effect
- Protection against neurodegenerative diseases
- Anti-cancer activity
- Anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal properties
Honey, on the other hand, is a natural sweetener and a healthy alternative to refined sugar. Like cinnamon, honey also has a long history of use. It is even mentioned numerous times in the Bible. Honey is considered an important food and ingredient in traditional medicines. Often, it is mixed with other herbs to make various medications. Honey helps reduce weight by promoting the digestion of stored fat and by suppressing the appetite.
Studies suggest that honey contains powerful phytochemicals which make it effective against microbial — bacterial, viral, and fungal — infections. These phytochemicals are also said to contribute to its ability to stop the growth of cancer cells. Other health benefits linked to the use of pure, organic or raw honey include:
- Improved immunity
- Faster wound healing
- Enhanced athletic performance
- Relief from cold and flu symptoms
- Blood sugar regulation
- Anti-microbial properties
- Improved memory
- Antioxidant and anti-cancer activities
How honey and cinnamon work to reduce weight
Cinnamon and honey make the perfect pair when it comes to promoting weight loss. When taken in the morning on an empty stomach and combined with a balanced diet and proper exercise, honey and cinnamon can do wonders for your body weight. Here’s how they work:
They enhance digestion and boost metabolism.
Honey and cinnamon are rich in antioxidants that prevent indigestion and help you digest heavy meals. They also clear the gut of any blockages and regularize bowel movements, keeping your digestive system healthy and functioning optimally. Taking two tablespoons of honey combined with a dash of cinnamon powder before eating can relieve acidity and allow you to enjoy these benefits. Alternatively, drinking a cup of cinnamon honey tea half-an-hour before breakfast and at night helps prevent fat from accumulating in your body.
They control glucose and insulin levels to encourage the burning of fat.
Cinnamon and honey are effective regulators of blood sugar. When blood sugar levels are normal, the body doesn’t need to produce insulin. Insulin stimulates muscle, fat, and liver cells to absorb glucose during digestion. These cells, in turn, either use glucose for energy or turn it into fat to be stored for later use. By indirectly preventing insulin production, cinnamon and honey stop the conversion of glucose into fat and its subsequent storage. This also promotes the burning of stored fat for fuel and helps you control your cravings, which can ultimately lead to a leaner body. To speed up the process of fat-burning, drink a cup of cinnamon honey tea at night.
Cinnamon and honey can benefit the body in more ways than one. When used properly, they can also help you manage and maintain your weight. For best results, consume cinnamon and honey in the morning before breakfast, between meals, before exercising, and before sleeping at night.
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