Cinnamon -- the diet wonder?

Lyssa62
Lyssa62 Posts: 930 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
just heard this from my daughter yesterday. Cinnamon can help with weight loss? Apparently it kicks your metabolism into a higher gear? I'm gonna give it a shot..I love it anyhow. Just wondered if this has been known for awhile and I'm just now hearing it?
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Replies

  • Koldnomore
    Koldnomore Posts: 1,613 Member
    I've heard that somewhere also but not sure regarding the validity of it. I have always put about 1/4 tsp a day in my breakfast oatmeal even before I was trying to lose weight and the only weight I have managed to lose in the past couple months was water and about .25 lbs a week if I am lucky. Though I honestly think that my problem is that MFP decided I should starve. I did not agree so I have been trying to find my 'magic number' . Maybe it will kick in when I do :)
  • Lina4Lina
    Lina4Lina Posts: 712 Member
    Ok I looked this up and this is something that has been known at least somewhat for a while. Basically, in diabetic patients, it increases their metabolism of glucose which isn't the same as your metabolism in general.

    http://www.diabeteshealth.com/read/2000/12/01/2065/cinnamon-increases-metabolism-twenty-fold/

    I love cinnamon so I add it to a lot of things I eat.
  • peuglow
    peuglow Posts: 684 Member
    If it sounds too good to be true......


    Come on guys, cinnamon?
  • LeenaRuns
    LeenaRuns Posts: 1,309 Member
    I use a lot of cinnamon...but that's just because my son and I really love it! LOL
  • petechiae
    petechiae Posts: 147 Member
    "Cinnamon has a regulatory effect on blood sugar levels and simultaneously increases insulin levels in the body. It imitates the biological activity of insulin and increases the metabolism of glucose. Since high blood sugar levels can lead to increased storage of fat by the body, cinnamon helps prevent this increased storage of fat and enables you to lose weight. In addition, it influences the manner in which sugar is metabolized by the body and prevents the transformation of the metabolized sugar into fat. Cinnamon also delays the passing of food from the stomach into the intestine. Hence, you feel satisfied for a longer time and eat less. This helps you lose weight. Cinnamon also helps the body to process carbohydrates more efficiently and this assists you in losing a few pounds. Studies show that abdominal fat is more sensitive to the effects of cinnamon than fat from other parts of the body." (http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/fitness/weight-loss/how-a-scoop-of-cinnamon-a-day-can-help-you-lose-weight.html)

    Lots of superfoods can help in your weight loss, such as (from the top of my head) apples, kale, oats, blueberries, chiles, quinoa, avocados, raspberries...
  • Just_Jon
    Just_Jon Posts: 108 Member
    I add it to my protein drink in the AM after a run. I did read somewhere about it having positive health effects, but it actually just helps the protein drink more palatable.

    To be honest, no food additive will ever boost your metabolism like getting off the sofa and exercising. :)
  • Kerri_is_so_very
    Kerri_is_so_very Posts: 999 Member
    no one spice is going to work too much magic. I sprinkle it on my coffee grounds daily and I'm still far from my goal! :noway:
  • Lina4Lina
    Lina4Lina Posts: 712 Member
    Oh and it should be noted, the studies were actually on Cassia (which is what you will normally get in US stores labelled as Cinnamon). If you are buying true Cinnamon, I don't know if they contain the same polyphenols that were associated with the studies done.
  • walkinmydoxies
    walkinmydoxies Posts: 123
    I'm not sure it does much for weight loss, at least not for me. I sprinkle in coffee because I like that taste. I have read that it helps control blood sugar. :smile:
  • Lyssa62
    Lyssa62 Posts: 930 Member
    http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/cinnamon-for-weight-loss.html -- also it is the Ceylon that you NEED to look for not the Cassia (sold in most stores) ..which means I will have to check another label. I don't want a quick fix..I am totally in love with my fitbit and my walks and my zumba. But I LOVE cinnamon just never thought to sprinkle it on additional foods that I'm not already cooking. I'm giving it a go and gonna keep a note on if I notice any difference. :)
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    There is a lot of research that cinnamon helps regulate blood sugars. However, I think the benefits in using it as a weight loss aid are likely minimal. I don't think sprinkling a little on your food helps. You would need to take a supplement. That being said, cinnamon is one of my favorite flavors, so I eat it pretty often. :bigsmile:
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/cinnamon-for-weight-loss.html -- also it is the Ceylon that you NEED to look for not the Cassia (sold in most stores) ..which means I will have to check another label.

    This is true too. Cassia, which is what most of us are using for flavoring, does not have the same effects.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,978 Member
    It helps, but not to the effect of noticeable weight loss. That really boils down more to your calorie deficit.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • McBully4
    McBully4 Posts: 1,270 Member
    just heard this from my daughter yesterday. Cinnamon can help with weight loss? Apparently it kicks your metabolism into a higher gear? I'm gonna give it a shot..I love it anyhow. Just wondered if this has been known for awhile and I'm just now hearing it?

    Yep a spoonful every morning will help.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdM_u5y5m5A
  • Erica27511
    Erica27511 Posts: 490 Member
    I would think if it was a "diet wonder", then everyone would be putting cinnamon on everything and losing weight

    :noway:
  • stardancer7
    stardancer7 Posts: 276 Member
    http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=68 This may be of interest to some people.
  • terrappyn
    terrappyn Posts: 324 Member
    Cinnamon aids in keeping insulin levels at a constant. Making you less hungry a little longer than normal. I add cinnamon to my coffee every morning. Diabetes run in the family maybe this in conjunction with weightloss will help to stave it off a bit.
  • bfitnbfab
    bfitnbfab Posts: 79
    "I would think if it was a "diet wonder", then everyone would be putting cinnamon on everything and losing weight"
    ^^^^This!
  • smokinjackd
    smokinjackd Posts: 341
    Stop seeking miracles people. Eat whole non processed foods, workout and don't eat more than you burn, simple.
    I never understood why people always feel the need to complicate life, are we all just so much smarter than our biology??? Get bored easy??? Need excitement????
    Just keep it simple, eat all the healthy foods you like and lose weight. Done
  • gibsonshm
    gibsonshm Posts: 8 Member
    BUMP!!! Great information about Cinnamon!!! Thanks
  • MTBrob
    MTBrob Posts: 513 Member
    I just grab a handful and put in it my mouth and swallow LIKE A BOSS!
  • columbus27
    columbus27 Posts: 178 Member
    Cinnamon aids in keeping insulin levels at a constant. Making you less hungry a little longer than normal. I add cinnamon to my coffee every morning. Diabetes run in the family maybe this in conjunction with weightloss will help to stave it off a bit.

    agree
  • Lyssa62
    Lyssa62 Posts: 930 Member
    Stop seeking miracles people. Eat whole non processed foods, workout and don't eat more than you burn, simple.
    I never understood why people always feel the need to complicate life, are we all just so much smarter than our biology??? Get bored easy??? Need excitement????
    Just keep it simple, eat all the healthy foods you like and lose weight. Done

    not seeking a miracle...I just found it interesting
  • beckajw
    beckajw Posts: 1,728 Member
    There are some studies that showed that cinnamon may help control blood sugar levels. There are also other studies that show that cinnamon has no beneficial effect on blood sugars. Cinnamon doesn't make a difference for type 1 diabetics.

    http://diabetes.webmd.com/cinnamon-and-benefits-for-diabetes

    http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/30/4/813.abstract

    http://www.diabeteshealth.com/read/2007/05/16/5194/cinnamon-sunk-in-latest-type-1-diabetes-study
  • GauchoMark
    GauchoMark Posts: 1,804 Member
    Yep a spoonful every morning will help.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdM_u5y5m5A

    I KNEW the cinnamon challenge would get mentioned here! Now, lets all go to Cinnabon!
  • Lyssa62
    Lyssa62 Posts: 930 Member
    how bout onions? anybody know about onions cuz I put them on EVERYTHING! Well never mind..I think I just answered my own question..apparently THEY don't help do anything or I wouldn't be here! :)
  • ChubsterBones
    ChubsterBones Posts: 8
    I love cinnamon.

    A lot of the researchers working on the benefits of cinnamon agree that further research is needed, not just because that's what everyone says at the end of their papers but because it is what we need. Regardless of the accuracy of the impact of cinnamon on the general population following studies on specific subgroups I shall use this to defend the frequency at which I add cinnamon to all manner of food items.
  • Lyssa62
    Lyssa62 Posts: 930 Member
    LOL I do the same reasoning for the coffee consumption (which is either lethal or will make me live forever) depending on the day and the article.
  • Lisah8969
    Lisah8969 Posts: 1,247 Member
    I had heard this as well. I occasionally take a 500mg capsule of Cinnamon (cassia) when I have a higher than normal carb meal. I don't know if it acutally helps or not and maybe it is just all in my head, but overall I seem to be doing all right and it can't hurt, right?

    As a bonus, my burps taste like cinnamon! :laugh:
  • adam1885282
    adam1885282 Posts: 135 Member
    I take it. It's one of the why-nots for me. I won't take supplements that completely lack any evidence of effectiveness but cinnamon may actually help. And I really like it.

    To add to the chorus of links I'll add http://examine.com/supplements/Cinnamon/. Examine cites sources and it's my go-to when I need to check something like this out.

    Adam

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