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Benefits of Cinnamon Tea– Cinnamon tea is a herbal tea that is made by infusing a cinnamon bark or cinnamon powder in hot water. Cinnamon tea finds its roots both in Indian Ayurveda and Chinese traditions. This is because of the myriad medicinal benefits that the consuming the tea offers. Known for its health benefits, cinnamon tea is readily consumed by the health conscious group of people around the world.
Cinnamon tea is also a healthier alternative to the regular milk tea or black tea consumed by many. With experiments in culinary art, cinnamon infused tea can now be consumed both as a hot and a cold beverage all around the globe. You can also infuse your cup of cinnamon tea with other ingredients like ginger, lemon or honey for added flavour, taste and benefits.
Before moving to the benefits of cinnamon tea, lets know more about Cinnamon.
What is Cinnamon?
Cinnamon is a condiment that is procured from the inner bark of the cinnamon producing evergreen tree. In ancient times, this household spice was used as a currency in trade. It is most commonly used now as a flavour-inducing spice in cuisines all over the world. Cinnamon is used in both food and beverages. They are used in the preparation of sweets as well as savouries. Cinnamon is also added to tea and coffee to enhance their taste.
Check out our 8 easy ways to get rid of hickeys.
The aromatic flavour of cinnamon is derived from the component called Cinnamaldehyde that is present in the tree’s bark.
Benefits of cinnamon tea is something which will surely entice you the most.
Different cuisines use cinnamon for different purposes. Some use them in the production of chocolates while some to flavour chicken and lamb dishes. Cinnamon is also commonly used in the United States in breakfast dishes to add flavour to bread-based dishes, in fruits and also in breakfast cereals. It is a highly nutritious spice and is a rich source of calcium, iron and vitamins.
There are 2 types of cinnamon that are usually available all over the world. They are-
#1 Ceylon
This variant is grown in Srilanka and is a mild, sweet-flavoured type of cinnamon. This is slightly more expensive than the other variety of cinnamon available.
#2 Cassia
This is the other variety of cinnamon that is produced mostly in China and Indonesia. It is strongly flavoured and is the one that is commonly found in stores.
12 Incredible Benefits of Cinnamon Tea
Cinnamon is one of those condiments found on all kitchen pantries that is equally advocated by people of every age-be it your grandmothers, your mothers or even millennials like you and I. This is because these tiny strongly aromatic sticks are a power-house of goodness.
Here is a list of the top 12 benefits that cinnamon offers-
#1 Cinnamon aids Weight Loss
The anti-inflammatory properties of cinnamon helps to speed up the weight loss process. Drinking cinnamon tea or adding a spoon of cinnamon powder or infusing a cinnamon bark in your usual cup of green tea also does the work.it helps in controlling the blood glucose levels which leads to weight loss.
Cinnamon is rich in fibre and consuming one spoon of cinnamon powder after a meal also helps in attaining the feeling of fullness.
However, it is important to remember that the consumption of cinnamon alone cannot lead to weight loss in the long-term. It is just a benefitting contributor to the other many factors that lead to weight loss.
#2 Cinnamon as a home remedy for common problems
Cinnamon has long been used to cure ailments like indigestion, heartburn, and cough and cold. The condiment finds its roots in Indian Ayurveda as well as in Chinese medicine. It is a spice that is common to all kitchen shelves, whether in the east or in the west.
Consuming cinnamon powder directly or drinking cinnamon tea helps in providing immediate relief to such problems. For cold and cough, one can also add cinnamon powder to tea and coffee.
#3 Cinnamon acts a natural mosquito repellent
The essential oil made from cinnamon barks, when mixed with eucalyptus, makes for an excellent insect repellent. This is because insects and bugs do not like the strong smell of cinnamon. One can easily grate a cinnamon stick around their space or use cinnamon essential oil on themselves to prevent insect bites. These essential oils can easily be found in departmental stores, or can easily make it at home too with ingredients found in the kitchen pantry.
#4 Helps in lowering blood sugar levels and dealing with type 2 Diabetes
Insulin is the key hormone behind controlling the body’s metabolism. It is also responsible for transporting blood sugar to the cells in the body. Insulin resistance is one of the main reasons for the occurrence of type 2 DIabetes. Consumption of cinnamon helps in reducing the amount of glucose that enters the bloodstream. Cinnamon can majorly reduce insulin resistance, helping in controlling diabetes. One can either consume a spoonful of cinnamon directly or can add it to their daily food or beverage to avail this benefit.
#5 Used in the preparation of desserts and sweet dishes
Cinnamon is a key spice that is used in baking desserts and sweets all around the globe.A lot of chefs use cinnamon as an alternative to vanilla essence in preparation of cakes and pastries. It is also a very popular flavour of desserts in the United States. It is also used to add flavour to breakfast cereals and breads.
#6 Key spice ingredient in Savoury food items
Cinnamon is used to increase the flavour and taste of savoury dishes everywhere in the world. It is known for its sweet and spicy aroma. It is greatly used to season chicken and lamb based dishes in the United States.
#7 Anti-bacterial, Anti-fungal and Anti-inflammatory Properties
Cinnamon has a very high content of free radicals like polyphenols. This lends it antibacterial and ant-fungal properties. These properties help in strengthening the immune system of the body and puts you in a better position to fight illnesses. Benefits of cinnamon tea are enlarged when we talk about the anti-fungal properties.
Inflammation is the body’s ability to deal with infections and is necessary to speed up the process of tissue damage, hence increasing immunity. Including cinnamon in your dietary intake helps in maintaining the right balance of inflammation in the body.
#8 Helps in lowering bad cholesterol
Bad cholesterol or Low-density Lipoproteins (LDL) is bad for one’s cardiac health. Consumption of cinnamon leads to increase in the level of the good cholesterol or High-density Lipoproteins (HDL). Cinnamon is termed as a super food because of its ability to combat so many of these common health issues.
#9 Cinnamon helps in managing PCOS
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or Disorder is a condition which is extremely common in women. PCOS mostly occurs because of insulin imbalance in the body. Cinnamon helps in controlling the insulin levels and thus helps in dealing with PCOS. Cinnamon tea also helps in dealing with menstrual cramps.
Almost 5 million women in US suffers from PCOS. Well, dealing with PCOS is one of the benefits of cinnamon tea.
#10 Helps in Treating Eye Disorders
Cinnamon is one of the ingredients that is used in the preparation of many allopathic eye drops prescribed by ophthalmologists in the treatment of disorders like conjunctivitis and dry eyes. Consumption of cinnamon tea daily is also good for the general health of your eyes.
#11 Cinnamon and diseases like Dementia and HIV
The antioxidant properties of cinnamon helps in protecting the body from conditions like dementia, HIV and cancer to name a few. Moderated consumption of cinnamon in one’s daily intake helps to keep one healthy.
#12 Natural food preservative
In earlier times, when there were no refrigeration facilities available, people would season perishables with cinnamon to keep them fresh for a long period of time. Even now, cinnamon barks are used to produce natural preservatives for sustaining farm fresh items.
Some of the benefits of cinnamon tea must have been unknown to you. However, with this article, everything must be clear to you now.
How to Make Cinnamon Tea?
Cinnamon tea is a great detoxifying tea that can be consumed daily. It is because of the numerous benefits it has for your body. More and more people are readily consuming cinnamon teas these days. You can either brew a cup of hot cinnamon tea or even drink it chilled. Well, after knowing the benefits of cinnamon tea, everyone of us must be enthusiastic to know about how to make cinnamon tea?
Here is an easy way for you to brew your own cup of tea at home-
INGREDIENTS REQUIRED-
- 1 cinnamon stick: Ceylon, preferably or 1 spoon cinnamon powder
- 1 tea bag: Green tea, herbal tea, or any other tea of your choice
- 1 cup boiling water
- Honey or any other sweetener (optional)
#1 The first step in brewing a cup of cinnamon tea is to boil 1 cup of water in a pan.
#2 In a cup or mug, place a cinnamon stick or add cinnamon powder, depending upon what you have at hand. Add a cup of boiling water to the cup and allow the cinnamon to steep in it for some time.
#3 Once the cinnamon is stepped enough, add the tea bag to the cup and let it steep further for the flavours to infuse completely.
#4 Remove the tea bag and the stick and add honey or any other sweetening agent of your choice. Your cup of cinnamon tea is ready to be consumed!
Well, after checking out the list of benefits of cinnamon tea. It should be included in your daily diet.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How many times in a day can you consume cinnamon tea?
Cinnamon tea can be safely consumed 4 times a day if your end goal is weight loss. If your motive is just to maintain a healthy lifestyle, one can substitute their usual cup of tea with cinnamon tea once or twice daily.
Q2. Does cinnamon burn belly fat?
Consumption of cinnamon helps to suppress hunger. It also speeds up metabolism which results in the loss of weight.
Q3. Is there a specific time during which you should consume cinnamon tea?
There is no specific time at which one should consume cinnamon tea. It is ideal to allow the tea to steep for 15-20 minutes before drinking it.
Q4. What are the benefits of cinnamon for your skin?
Consuming cinnamon helps in improving the health of your skin. It helps you achieve a blemish-free and glowing skin. Since cinnamon helps in PCOS, drinking cinnamon tea also helps in dealing with pimples and acne.
Q5. How can you differentiate ceylon cinnamon from cassia?
Ceylon is generally light brown in colour while cassia is generally reddish brown. Ceylon sticks are fragile and break easily while cassia cinnamon sticks do not.
Conclusion
Cinnamon has been termed a superfood or a super spice by scientists and the common folk at large. This is because of the myriad benefits this condiment has to offer. They increase the taste of the dishes and beverages they are added to, smell aromatic and at the same time have multiple medicinal and health benefits. The benefits of cinnamon tea is unlimited.
Cinnamon tea is not just a healthier alternative to the normal cup of tea we consume generally but is also high on taste when mixed with sweetening agents like honey. It is easy to prepare and does not require any specific ingredient for its preparation and gets ready in a matter of a few minutes.
Now that you know everything about cinnamon- from its types to its benefits to how to prepare the perfect cup of cinnamon tea, all you need to do is get down to the market and buy some cinnamon, or order some online and get brewing!
