Honey and Cinnamon for Losing Weight: How Does It Work?

Have you ever tried honey and cinnamon for weight loss? Individually, honey and cinnamon have been proven to be healthy ingredients. They both have some beneficial health properties, but there isn’t sufficient scientific evidence to prove that the combination of these two ingredients helps in weight loss. Now, research is being conducted to find out if the combination of honey and cinnamon is effective.

Research does suggest that regular intake of cinnamon may help manage weight by stabilizing blood sugar and enhancing digestion, while honey acts as an appetite suppressant. However, before consuming the honey and cinnamon mixture, you need to know there are two types of cinnamon—cassia and Ceylon. Of the two, Ceylon cinnamon is more beneficial when consumed on a regular basis.

To use honey and cinnamon for weight loss, you can either drink cinnamon honey tea, use it as a topping for cereals and nuts, or just eat it on its own.

How does Honey and Cinnamon Help with Burning Fat?

For now, it’s safe to say that cinnamon and honey indirectly boosts weight loss. They help boost metabolism, improve the digestive system, and regulate bowel movements. If you take this mixture on an empty stomach in the morning, and follow a balanced diet and exercise regime, you may experience weight loss over a period of time. In addition to these, they have many other benefits.

1. Improves Digestion and Boosts Metabolism

A mixture of two tablespoons of honey sprinkled with cinnamon powder, helps to digest heavy meals and relieves acidity if taken before food. This mixture contains anti-oxidants that boost metabolism during indigestion. Drinking cinnamon honey tea on an empty stomach 30 minutes before breakfast and at night, stops fat from accumulating in the body.

2. Reduces High Cholesterol Levels

Cholesterol Regulation

According to the American Diabetes Association, cinnamon lowers LDL and triglyceride levels in type 2 diabetics. The National Center for Biotechnology Information says that when honey is consumed regularly, it decreases bad cholesterol levels (LDL) while increasing good cholesterol levels (HDL). A mixture of two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of cinnamon powder in 16 ounces of tea water, reduces the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10% within two hours. Cinnamon honey tea also cures chronic cholesterol in arthritis patients when taken three times a day.

3. Controls Insulin Levels

High and low spikes in blood sugar levels are dangerous for diabetics. Cinnamon lowers blood sugar by increasing insulin sensitivity. It helps sugar move from the blood into the cells, making the cells more sensitive to insulin. According to a study published in International Journal of Biological Sciences, honey has less impact on blood sugar levels than sugar.

Honey can spike insulin levels, so it must be consumed with foods that slow digestion such as fat, fiber, or proteins. Slowing the digestive process will also slow down the conversion of honey into glucose. Honey is also is high in carbs, and must be used in moderation by diabetics.

4. Helps Burn Fat

Cinnamon indirectly helps burn fat by controlling blood sugar, which makes the body produce less insulin. This helps control any cravings throughout the day, leading to a leaner body. When taken at night, cinnamon honey tea helps in weight loss by speeding up fat-burning metabolism, fueling the liver, and easing stress hormones.

5. Other Health Benefits

Honey and cinnamon can also help treat acne and skin infections, common colds, and allergies. They promote the healing of wounds and burns, while preventing infections. Honey and cinnamon can prevent heart disease by clearing clogged arteries.

When Is Honey and Cinnamon Most Effective for Weight Loss?

Prepare cinnamon honey tea by adding half a teaspoon of cinnamon to a cup of hot water. Then add a teaspoon of honey to the mixture after it cools down. A honey cinnamon mixture will be more effective for weight loss when consumed as suggested below.

1. In the morning

Drinking this mixture right after you wake up in the morning, will help boost metabolism and digestion. Avoid eating breakfast for 30 minutes after drinking the mixture.

2. Between meals

Have this mixture when you crave unhealthy snacks between meals. It will prevent you from consuming junk by decreasing your appetite and keeping you satisfied.

3. Before aerobic workouts

Honey and cinnamon can help give that extra push for an effective workout. Honey has sugar which prevents you from feeling drained post-workout. To make workouts more effective, ensure you don’t eat for 30 minutes to an hour post-workout. The body won’t have to focus on digesting food, and thus will burn more calories.

4. Before sleeping

Late night munching will result in weight gain. Drinking a honey cinnamon mixture before going to sleep won’t burden the digestive system, and it will also keep you away from eating any sweets.

Simple Honey and Cinnamon Recipes for Weight Loss

Cinnamon Bark and Honey Tea Recipe

cinnamon-tea

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup water
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 cinnamon stick

Directions

Bring water to a boil. Pour the water in a tea pot and put the cinnamon stick in it. Let it steep for about 10 minutes.

Discard the cinnamon stick and strain the tea in cups. Add honey and serve.

Green Tea with Cinnamon and Honey Recipe

green tea

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 2 teaspoons green tea
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder

Directions

Boil water in a kettle and add the green tea to it. In the meantime, mix honey and cinnamon powder in a bowl.

Strain green tea in the bowl containing the honey and cinnamon mixture. Stir well and serve.

Cinnamon, Honey, and Lemon Tea Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups water
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Directions

Mix honey, cinnamon powder, and lemon juice in a bowl while bringing water to a boil.

Pour the water to the cinnamon and honey mixture. Stir well and serve.

Cinnamon Honey Toast Recipe

Ingredients:

  • Cinnamon powder
  • Honey
  • Toast

Directions

Spread honey on the toast. Sprinkle cinnamon powder on it.

Although honey and cinnamon can help in weight loss, they aren’t the only factors to consider. The honey and cinnamon for weight loss remedy must be accompanied with a proper diet and regular exercise for effective results. Also, a little patience is required as the change won’t happen overnight.


Related:


Sources:

Biswas, C., “Are Cinnamon And Honey Effective For Weight Loss?,” StyleCraze web site, June 23, 2016; http://www.stylecraze.com/articles/is-cinnamon-and-honey-effective-for-weight-loss/

“Cinnamon and Weight Loss … Just another Weight Loss Myth?,” TheTeaTalk.com web site; http://www.theteatalk.com/cinnamon-and-weight-loss.html.

“4 Ways to Combine Honey and Cinnamon for Weight Loss,” Bembu web site; http://bembu.com/cinnamon-honey-weight-loss

Bell, B., “Honey and Cinnamon: A Powerful Cure or a Big, Fat Lie? ,” Authority Nutrition web site; https://authoritynutrition.com/honey-and-cinnamon, last accessed February 21, 2016