A Slimming Cinnamon Infusion: Is It Effective?

Drinking a cinnamon infusion on a regular basis can contribute to your weight loss plan. However, it must be part of a healthy lifestyle that includes a proper diet and regular exercise.

Reviewed and approved by psychologist Valeria Sabater.

Written by Valeria Sabater

Last update: 04 July, 2022

People often add a cinnamon infusion to a healthy weight loss diet. Be aware that many people attribute it miraculous properties and this is confusing to many consumers.

It’s important to keep in mind that, on its own, this drink won’t help you shed extra pounds. While it can contribute to reaching your goal weight, it’s not a substitute for a healthy diet and regular exercise. What else? Continue reading!

Can cinnamon help you lose weight?

Cinnamon is an aromatic spice that’s been used for centuries to prepare different types of recipes and home remedies. It stands out because it contains essential oils, vitamins, and minerals, which are linked to various health benefits.

According to a study published by Pharmacognosy Research, cinnamon has antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial properties. What’s more, it’s shown to be beneficial when it comes to controlling diabetes, preventing heart attacks, and aiding metabolism.

So, can it help you lose weight? Some studies back up the positive effects of cinnamon for weight loss. However, this is only within the context of a healthy lifestyle — nutrition in particular.

A study published by Clinical Nutrition determined that taking cinnamon as a supplement can significantly affect obesity markers. Thus, it may be recommended as a weight-loss aid.

At the same time, a study published in Scientific Reports found that cinnamon could induce changes in fat cells, which could reduce obesity. However, further research is necessary to verify these effects.

We can summarize these effects as follows:

• Decrease in body weight
• Reduction of total fat mass and abdominal fat mass (more related to negative cardiovascular effects)
• Lower waist circumference
• Lower blood pressure and blood sugar levels

Finally, cinnamon has also shown to have positive effects on controlling metabolic syndrome and its complications. This syndrome is closely related to obesity, so, cinnamon could be an effective aid in weight loss.

A slimming cinnamon infusion

Firstly, it’s important to note that although cinnamon has shown positive effects on weight loss, it isn’t a miracle remedy to reduce size nor lose extra pounds.

In addition, some of the positive effects observed happened within the context of a test using cinnamon extracts. Thus, note that these extracts contain higher amounts of active ingredients for weight loss than those in a cinnamon infusion.

These natural remedies are great as part of a healthy diet but need to be accompanied by a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, you must adopt a healthy lifestyle overall, as we mentioned above.

Also, keep in mind that weight loss can vary from one person to another. Therefore, it’s best to consult a doctor or nutritionist to explore other strategies.

You should also talk to your doctor if you’re taking medications or suffer from any illness. In some cases, cinnamon can produce adverse interactions or side effects.

Furthermore, it’s not a good idea to drink this cinnamon infusion in large amounts. Consult your doctor if you want to start using cinnamon-based supplements.

Now that we’ve made this clear, here’s a recipe you can make at home. Drink it two or three times per day before your main meals or when you’re craving something.

Basic cinnamon infusion

This is one of the simplest ways to make this drink; it’s basically the same as making any other infusion.

Ingredients

• 2 or 3 cinnamon sticks (10 g)
• 3 c. of water (750 ml)

Preparation

• Introduce the cinnamon sticks into the water and boil over low heat for five minutes
• Then, allow the combination to set before straining
• Drink it warm

Cinnamon-apple-lemon infusion

You can add other ingredients such as apple and lemon to add more flavor to your beverage. Furthermore, allow it to cool down and enjoy it as a refreshing drink on hot days .

Ingredients

• A quart of water
• 2 green apples
• 1 to 2 cinnamon sticks (10 g)
• The juice of a lemon

Preparation

• Firstly, carefully select two organic green apples; wash and slice them (no need to remove the peel), and set them aside
• Squeeze the lemon juice and add it to the water
• You’re almost done, just add the apples and cinnamon sticks to the lemonade you just made
• Store it in the fridge for a couple of hours
• You can keep it there overnight for a stronger drink
• The next day, drink a little of this water before each main meal. Have the apples for breakfast or dinner, or enjoy them as desert

Other ways to use cinnamon for weight loss

The above cinnamon infusions are simple yet effective ways to add this spice to your diet and benefit from its properties. You can drink it hot or cold and is a good way to drink more fluids, which is important for maintaining a healthy body weight.

Moreover, you might want change it a bit or trying other combinations. Here are some ideas:

• Add cinnamon to any other type of infusion you might drink throughout the day. Simply boil half a stick in a glass of water and use the liquid to make the tisane.
• Mix a teaspoon of cinnamon in a glass of milk or a fruity milkshake
• Sprinkle cinnamon powder on fruit, salads or porridge for breakfast
• Use cinnamon instead of sugar in yogurts and coffee

Be clear on this before you add a cinnamon infusion to your diet

Contrary to popular belief, a cinnamon infusion won’t help you lose weight fast and on its own. Evidence suggests that some of its properties contribute to weight loss, but only within the context of a healthy lifestyle that includes proper nutrition and regular exercise.