Skip to main content

The benefits of cinnamon, and why you should be eating more of it

Cinnamon tastes great, but there are a ton of health benefits, too

Ground cinnamon spice in a spoon
Pexels

Unfortunately, the foods that are really good for you are not often considered the most delicious. On the other hand, the foods that we consider to be the tastiest are often loaded with sugar and fat. While very few people would argue against the fact that broccoli has a preferable nutritional profile compared to Oreo cookies, there are still foods out there that taste great and provide many perks. There are numerous benefits of cinnamon, for example.

Fortunately, there are plenty of delicious foods that are packed with health benefits, including spices and seasonings like garlic, cayenne pepper, and cinnamon. We often think of cinnamon as simply a flavorful accent to sweets like apple pie, spice cookies, and oatmeal, but cinnamon does more than just bring a scrumptious taste and aroma to your food. Keep reading to learn about the benefits of cinnamon.

Ground cinnamon and cinnamon sticks
Диана Полехина / Adobe Stock

What is cinnamon?

Cinnamon is a culinary spice made from the inner bark of cinnamon trees. After the cinnamon trees are cut down, the inner bark is harvested by stripping off the outer bark. The inner bark is then dried. As it dries, the bark curls into “cinnamon sticks,” which are rolls of the inner bark. Cinnamon sticks are used to flavor things like tea and mulled cider and then removed before eating. Ground cinnamon is made by crushing and grinding the cinnamon sticks.

Recommended Videos

Types of cinnamon

There are two primary types of cinnamon: cassia cinnamon and Ceylon cinnamon. Most cinnamon on grocery store shelves is cassia, but Ceylon is known as true cinnamon, and it has a lighter and milder taste but far more health and medicinal benefits. In fact, high doses of cassia cinnamon can actually be toxic because it contains coumarin. If you have a bleeding disorder, you should consult your physician before consuming cinnamon in excess. Moreover, to take advantage of the benefits of cinnamon, use Ceylon cinnamon.

Three spoonfuls of sugar and ground cinnamon
Leopictures / Pixabay

What does cinnamon do for your body?

Cinnamon boasts a rich array of properties that underpin its numerous health benefits. Comprising a medley of compounds, including cinnamaldehyde, cinnamate, cinnamic acid, and a variety of essential oils, cinnamon evolves with age, deepening in color and intensifying in potency.

The precise mechanism by which cinnamon confers its health benefits remains largely unknown. Although the exact processes and interactions responsible for these outcomes have not yet been fully determined, research indicates that these compounds have a variety of effects on the nervous system as well as anti-inflammatory and cardio-protective properties.

Dish with ground cinnamon
Adobe Stock

Health benefits of cinnamon

Here is a list of all the health benefits of cinnamon and why you should work it into your diet.

Cinnamon can help regulate blood sugar

Cinnamon may help regulate blood sugar because cinnamon may enhance insulin sensitivity, stabilizing glucose levels, which is crucial for overall health since balanced blood sugar levels can reduce the risk of diabetes. Studies have found that cinnamon can reduce fasting blood sugar levels in those with insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes. Cinnamon also seems to improve insulin sensitivity, which can make it an ideal spice to add to your diet if you have pre-diabetes.

Cinnamon is antimicrobial

Cinnamon has been used for centuries in traditional medicinal treatments due to its antimicrobial properties. For example, cinnamon is effective against E. Coli and salmonella, both of which can cause GI illnesses.

Cinnamon can aid in weight loss

The effects of cinnamon on various metabolic processes may contribute to weight loss. A number of studies have demonstrated that it may improve insulin sensitivity, reduce inflammation, and increase glucose utilization, thereby improving weight loss and fat loss.

In a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, cinnamon supplementation significantly reduced body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, and fat mass in adults, with greater effects observed in individuals under 50 years old and who had a baseline body mass index of ≥30 kg/m2. Therefore, cinnamon supplementation may be recommended as a weight-reduction supplement. 

Cinnamon can improve gut health

By reducing inflammation and promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, cinnamon can support gut health. Cinnamon nourishes the beneficial bacteria in the gut by providing a source of prebiotic fiber, the preferred fuel source of these helpful microbes. In this way, cinnamon can reduce bloating, indigestion, and gas.

Cinnamon supports oral health

The antimicrobial properties of cinnamon may help prevent dental problems such as cavities and gum disease since it prevents the growth of bacteria. Studies have found that cinnamon kills odor- and disease-causing bacteria in the mouth, helping prevent bad breath, plaque buildup, gingivitis, and gum disease.

Thick cinnamon sticks on top of ground cinnamon.
Angelos / Wirestock / Adobe Stock

Cinnamon can reduce cholesterol levels

High cholesterol is linked to heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, but one benefit of cinnamon is that it can lower LDL cholesterol (the “bad” one) while simultaneously increasing HDL cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol). Cinnamon can also reduce levels of blood triglycerides.

Cinnamon can reduce inflammation

Cinnamon is packed with antioxidants and polyphenols, so it acts as an effective anti-inflammatory in the body. As chronic inflammation can lead to diseases such as cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, certain cancers, and obesity, a diet high in anti-inflammatory foods can reduce your risk of disease.

Cinnamon can support brain health

Cinnamon contains compounds, such as cinnamaldehyde and epicatechin, which have been shown to help prevent cognitive decline, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease by inhibiting the growth of a protein known as tau.

Cinnamon can reduce the risk of many diseases

From heart disease and diabetes to polycystic ovarian syndrome and colon cancers, research has demonstrated that cinnamon can help reduce the risk of numerous diseases. Again, these health benefits of cinnamon mainly pertain to Ceylon cinnamon rather than regular cassia cinnamon.

Cinnamon tea with cinnamon sticks
congerdesign / Pixabay

Does cinnamon reduce belly fat?

Yes, as previously mentioned, cinnamon can aid in weight loss and can be particularly beneficial for targeting belly fat reduction in several ways. It has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity, leading to better blood sugar control and a decreased tendency for the body to store excess energy as fat. Furthermore, its anti-inflammatory properties can help mitigate chronic inflammation that’s associated with obesity. This inflammation is thought to be associated with belly fat accumulation. It is possible to lose stubborn belly fat by incorporating cinnamon into a balanced diet and a regular exercise routine.

Wondering how to add cinnamon to your diet? Buy some Ceylon cinnamon and add it to things like oatmeal, smoothies, sweet potatoes, yogurt, cottage cheese, baked fruit, and more. Cinnamon also works well on root vegetables, tubers, and pumpkin. For example, try cinnamon on acorn squash, butternut squash, parsnips, stewed carrots, and delicata squash.

Amber Sayer
Amber Sayer is a fitness, nutrition, and wellness writer and editor, and was previously a Fitness Editor at Byrdie. She…
Here’s why you shouldn’t overlook rotational training for core strength
Improve your deadlift and your performance on the sports field with rotational training.
Russian twists.

Your core muscles consist of your erector spinae, obliques, abdominal muscles, and more. These muscles play a huge role in your daily functional activities and overall strength and fitness. Researchers found that training your core can improve your posture, balance, and stability, and reduce your risk of lower back pain. For runners, a weak core can really hold you back and compromise your running form, increasing your risk of back pain and running injuries.

You can work your core with classic moves like crunches, planks, and lying leg lifts, but it’s also important to include rotational exercises. Let’s look at the benefits of the increasingly popular rotational exercises and some of the best ones to try.

Read more
Does having a furry friend make you more active? Interesting new survey
How does your pet inspire you?
man with dog

It's an enormous understatement when I say I love my two little furry dogs. I first decided to get dogs because they're awesome, and I hoped it would help me deal with the challenges of an autoimmune bone condition. There’s nothing like taking them on a walk or a jog around my neighborhood or their favorite parks and trails, and seeing their faces light up. Smiles and wagging tails under the sunlight always perk me up. 

Even on those days when I don’t really feel like going, the look in their eyes convinces me otherwise. If you have a dog, you probably know what I’m talking about. When they look longingly at their leashes or gently prod you with their paws, those pups are politely asking for a trip around the block. An interesting survey revealed that our dogs really do encourage us to be more active. 

Read more
Should you fuel with food or run on empty? Here’s the interesting research
Should you lace up your shoes and head out the door before breakfast? What does the research show?
man running jogging outdoors

Avid runners have tips and tricks to boost speed and endurance, train for a marathon, and enhance overall fitness. Lately, the trending term “fasted cardio” is everywhere in the fitness world. Food is fuel, energy, and information for your cells, but some athletes and fitness enthusiasts claim that running on empty without food is the way to go. What is fasted running, and what does the science show? Let’s explore.

What is fasted cardio?

Read more