Although honey and cinnamon cannot magically melt the fat away, as some Internet sites say, there is a small amount of evidence behind the claims, and they may help you lose a small amount of weight when combined with a healthy diet. Consult your doctor before attempting any weight-loss diet, and don't rely on any food to be the "magic bullet" for weight loss.
*For more weight loss tips, including How to Lose Belly Fat or the 10 Best Foods to Eat to Lose Weight, scroll to the bottom of this article to learn more.
How to Use Honey and Cinnamon to Lose Weight
Honey and cinnamon as an aid to weight loss is a diet trend that has circled the Internet, reports WeWomen.com. It's a not a diet but a cleanse that consists of a beverage made with the two ingredients that you drink twice a day. Proponents of the diet say that it helps you lose weight and fat without having to starve yourself or restrict your intake.
The cleansing drink is simply a mixture of cinnamon and honey in a 1-to-2 ratio in water. To make the drink, put your cinnamon in a cup or bowl, add boiling water and allow it to steep for 30 minutes. Once the cinnamon water has cooled, mix in the honey.
Drink half the liquid on an empty stomach before bed and the rest when you wake up in the morning before you eat breakfast. Store the drink covered in the refrigerator overnight.
WeWomen.com reports that there's no evidence that the honey and cinnamon beverage can help you lose weight. But there is some evidence that, individually, cinnamon and honey may offer some assistance in your weight-loss efforts.
A 2008 study published in Proceedings of the Nutrition Society found an improvement in body-fat percentage and lean body mass in a group of people with metabolic syndrome who were supplementing their diet with cinnamon. Their progress was compared to a control group.
Additionally, a study published in 2008 in the Scientific World Journal found that honey also helped promote a mild loss of body weight and fat in a group of obese people supplementing their diet with honey compared to a group supplementing their diet with sugar.
While these studies provide some evidence that cinnamon and honey may assist in weight loss, more research is necessary before valid claims can be made.
In addition to weight loss, honey and cinnamon offer other health benefits. The subjects in the 2008 cinnamon study also showed an improvement in blood sugar and blood pressure levels. Cinnamon may also help improve blood lipid levels, as well as reduce inflammation, according to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Honey is rich in a variety of nutrients including antioxidants, which help your body's fight against free radicals and may reduce your risk of chronic illness such as cancer. Honey also has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties that help prevent infection. In addition, it may soothe a sore throat and help reduce a cough.
The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center warns that you should take cinnamon with caution if you're taking blood thinners or glucose-lowering medication due to potential interactions. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to address concerns.
While honey offers some nutritional benefits, it is an added sugar and a source of calories. When trying to lose weight, calories from all sources count. Keep careful track of your overall intake, including those from your diet drink. The key to weight loss is eating fewer calories than your body needs.
How to Use Honey and Cinnamon to Lose Weight
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