Many of us refuse to leave bed in the morning until greeted by the aroma of coffee. Afterall a kick of caffeine can help you feel awake and energise you for the day ahead. Many people are adding cinnamon to their coffee for multiplying benefits of this hot beverage. TikTok claims that it can help boost weight loss and fat loss. Cinnamon has natural sweetness and an amazing flavour so when it is mixed with coffee it cuts part of caffeine bitterness.Of course, moderation remains the key. Adding cinnamon to the coffee can add to its fragrance, making the drink doubly refreshing. It not only pampers your senses but also keeps you energetic all through the day.
Apart from being a lot helpful in improving metabolism and weight loss, cinnamon also reduces blood sugar and cuts fat. The spice is not without reason called fat-cutter. A recent TikTok trend claims that adding a teaspoon of cinnamon in coffee with some cocoa can help burn fat. Let’s find out if it’s safe to add cinnamon in your coffee.
Cinnamon is a spice obtained from the inner bark of Cinnamomum tree and is of two types – Cassia and Ceylon. All varieties of cinnamon have a compound called coumarin, which could be harmful if consumed in large quantities. Ceylon cinnamon has much less coumarin than cassia cinnamon and is a safer option. However, Ceylon cinnamon is more readily available in stores and has a bitter taste. The percentage of cinnamaldehyde, the compound that gives cinnamon its characteristic aroma and taste, in Cassia and Ceylon varieties is 95% and 50-60% respectively.
Can cinnamon help burn fat? What research says
A study says up to half a teaspoon or 1.5 gm cinnamon can help burn belly fat. A review of 35 studies published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition says consumption of 1.5 grams of cinnamon per day which translates to around half a teaspoon, reduced waist circumference by 1.68cm. However, having more than 1.5gm per day did not have a significant effect.
Cinnamon can also reduce harmful effects of eating high-fat foods and considering it affects blood glucose levels positively, it can help you lose weight.
Cinnamon might not lead to long-term weight loss, it is a healthy addition in combination with a balanced diet and exercise to achieve your weight loss goals. One teaspoon of cinnamon does contain 1.6 grams of fiber, which can help you reach your daily fiber goal and increase a feeling of fullness at meals.
“Cinnamon supplementation significantly affects obesity measures. It could be recommended as a weight-reducing supplement in obesity management,” concluded a meta-analysis by journal Clinical Nutrition.
Apart from coffee, cinnamon can be added in a host of other hot and cold beverages. The spice is ground and added to a hot cup of tea for increased flavour and nutrition. It is also added to the milk and is said to promote relaxation. The spice is said to relieve stress and anxiety too.
It is important to be careful while adding this spice to your diet as recently high traces of lead were found in nearly 12 brands of cinnamon and spice mixes which raised concerns about the adverse effects of such adulteration on health.
Excess use of cinnamon can irritate your mouth and lips and cause sores. Some people may also be allergic to it. It might cause redness and irritation if you put it on your skin. Eating cassia cinnamon in large quantities can cause liver problems. When combined with diabetes medication, it can increase risk of low blood sugar.
When it comes to adding cinnamon to your coffee, having a small amount can certainly help in burning fat and losing weight, but it’s important to be careful about its purity. Too much of it can cause more harm than good.
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