Honey And Cinnamon For Weight Loss
The health benefits of herbs, spices and other natural products
have been well-known since ancient times. They have been found to
contain substances that are useful in fighting diseases of the heart,
regulating blood pressure, fighting skin problems, anxiety and stress.
As these natural foods do not have any side effects, a lot of scientific
research is being done at present to unravel their healing properties.
More and more people are resorting to these natural ways of curing
ailments. Of the various natural products and spices, honey and cinnamon
have been found to be useful in the process of weight loss.
Honey in Weight Loss
Honey in Weight Loss
It is true that honey is a type of sugar. However, while the dietary sugars have only carbohydrates, honey, a natural sweetener, has vitamins and minerals as well. When our body digests sugar, it uses the vitamins and minerals present in our tissues. Hence, in the process of digesting dietary sugar, a deficit of vitamins and minerals is created in our body. This deficit is not created when honey is digested, as besides being a rich source of carbohydrates, honey also provides important vitamins and minerals to the body. Hence, the metabolism of fats and cholesterol remains unhindered when dietary sugars are replaced with honey. Honey also helps in digestion, and taking this natural sweetener after a heavy meal helps in avoiding any problems that may arise due to overeating.
Cinnamon in Weight Loss
Intake of cinnamon in the form of powder or sticks can be useful in controlling cholesterol levels in the body. While it lowers the amount of bad cholesterol, it leaves the good cholesterol at the same level. Cinnamon also regulates blood sugar levels and helps in the fight against obesity and insulin resistance. People who suffer from insulin resistance tend to overeat and they often have problems with weight management. They put on weight easily. Fat first accumulates around the waist and losing weight becomes difficult for these people. People with metabolic syndrome suffer from obesity.
Adversely affected glucose metabolism leads to several health problems. Studies show that regular intake of cinnamon extract helps lower fasting blood glucose levels, blood pressure levels, and percentage of body fat. Women with insulin resistance and polycystic ovary syndrome are also benefited by this extract. They can experience improved fasting glucose levels, glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity after taking cinnamon extract. Those who are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes can experience reduced blood glucose levels, reduced total cholesterol and bad cholesterol (LDL) levels after taking 1-6 grams of cinnamon, at least for 40 days. Cinnamon is very useful for patients suffering from diabetes, as it helps them in using less insulin. More studies are required to prove these effects.
Honey and Cinnamon Recipe
Take one spoonful of honey, one spoonful of cinnamon powder and mix them in a cup of warm water. This concoction should be consumed every morning on an empty stomach. Although the actual mechanism of how this recipe helps in losing weight naturally is not clearly known, people have reported to have benefited from regular consumption of this mixture.
Do not add honey to boiling water. Heat destroys some of the important nutrients of honey. Similarly, use raw honey that has not been heat-treated. Vietnamese cinnamon is supposed to be the best cinnamon. As far as possible, use freshly ground cinnamon powder.
Honey Recipes
1. Honey and Warm Water
Drinking a cup of warm water with one spoon of honey in it every morning is believed to help in weight loss. Fat remains stored as an unused source of energy in our tissues. Honey is believed to mobilize this stored fat that is burnt up to provide energy for our daily activities. This results in gradual loss of weight.
2. Honey and Lemon
One spoon of honey with a few drops of lemon, mixed with warm water is another recipe made from honey that is believed to reduce one's weight. Although the results are slow, regular consumption of this mixture is believed to aid in weight loss.
As explained above, cinnamon and honey help reverse some of the symptoms of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome, the disorders that lead to weight gain and obesity. Besides helping in shedding off pounds, honey and cinnamon have other health benefits like fighting heart diseases, improving digestion, purifying blood and improving blood circulation. All these health factors and obesity are interrelated. Hence, not only do cinnamon and honey help in losing weight, but they also ensure an overall well-being of an individual.
There are a lot of natural remedies of fighting weight gain. However, unless one ensures a balanced diet and regular exercise, the effects of these organic products will be in vain. Leading a healthy lifestyle is essential if you want to enjoy the health benefits of cinnamon and honey.
