Cinnamon Tea Benefits: 10 Fascinating Scientific Discoveries

Historically, cinnamon has been a prized spice, traded as a valuable commodity during the time of explorers and conquerors.

We will be exploring everything from what cinnamon tea is and how it’s made, the extensive list of cinnamon tea benefits, the best ways to enjoy your cinnamon tea, and any potential side effects or considerations.

So, prepare your favorite mug and enjoy a comforting read on cinnamon tea benefits while sipping on your delicious cup of tea.

What is Cinnamon Tea and How is it Made?

Cinnamon tea is a warm and comforting beverage made from the bark of the Cinnamomum trees. It’s recognized for its rich aroma and spicy, sweet flavor. There are two primary types of cinnamon used for tea:

• Ceylon Cinnamon: Known as “true” cinnamon, it is sweeter and more delicate in flavor.
• Cassia Cinnamon: This type is more common and has a stronger, spicier flavor.

To explore more about these varieties and their specific characteristics, don’t miss our complete guide on cinnamon tea!

How to Make Cinnamon Tea

Here’s a concise guide using either cinnamon sticks, powder, or tea bags:

1. Boil a pot or kettle of water.
2. For dried cinnamon sticks, place 1 stick in a pot. For cinnamon powder, add 1 teaspoon to a teapot. For a tea bag, place 1 cinnamon tea bag in a cup.
3. Pour boiling water into the pot for the cinnamon stick, into the teapot for the powder, or directly over the tea bag in your cup.
4. Allow the tea to steep. For dried sticks or powder, steep for 15 minutes; for a tea bag, steep for 5 minutes.
5. If you’re using sticks or powder, strain the tea into your cup. For a tea bag, simply remove it.
6. Your cinnamon tea is ready to enjoy!

Cinnamon tea is naturally caffeine-free, making it a perfect choice for any time of the day.

Now, let’s explore the myriad of health benefits that this flavorful beverage offers.

List of Cinnamon Tea Benefits

Get ready to uncover the extensive benefits of cinnamon tea that make it an ideal beverage for those seeking health and wellness.

1. Improved Blood Glucose Control

Blood glucose control refers to the process of managing the levels of sugar in your bloodstream. Cinnamon tea benefits include improved blood glucose control. Multiple studies have shown that cinnamon tea can reduce serum glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes (Khan et al., 2003; Qin et al., 2010; Allen et al., 2013; Ranasinghe et al., 2017; Bernardo et al., 2015). Furthermore, drinking cinnamon tea has been found to decrease postprandial blood glucose levels, contributing to better glucose homeostasis (Bernardo et al., 2015).

2. Lowered Cholesterol Levels

Cholesterol management involves maintaining balanced levels of ‘good’ (HDL) and ‘bad’ (LDL) cholesterol in the body to support overall cardiovascular health. An important part of the cinnamon tea benefits includes its role in cholesterol regulation. Various studies have shown that consuming cinnamon tea can reduce total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, while boosting HDL cholesterol levels (Khan et al., 2003; Allen et al., 2013; Ranasinghe et al., 2017; Zhang et al., 2022). By contributing to improved cholesterol balance, cinnamon tea benefits your cardiovascular health immensely.

3. Antioxidant Activity

Antioxidants are molecules that protect your cells against free radicals, which are compounds that can cause harm if their levels become too high in your body. The benefits of cinnamon tea also extend to its antioxidant activity. Cinnamon tea is rich in polyphenols, giving it a high antioxidant capacity (Bernardo et al., 2015; Culas et al., 2021). This means that drinking cinnamon tea can help protect your body against oxidative stress and damage from free radicals, enhancing your overall health and well-being.

4. Anti-inflammatory Properties

Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or illness, but when it becomes chronic, it can lead to various diseases, including heart disease and cancer. Anti-inflammatory effects are another important part of the health benefits of cinnamon tea. Research has shown that cinnamon tea possesses anti-inflammatory properties that can help combat chronic inflammation (Willis et al., 2019). As a result, regularly consuming cinnamon tea may potentially contribute to reducing the risk of certain diseases.

5. Antimicrobial Activity

Antimicrobial substances are capable of killing or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms, like bacteria and fungi. Another noteworthy benefit of cinnamon tea is its antimicrobial activity. Drinking cinnamon tea has been shown to combat certain bacteria and fungi, which can improve oral health and decrease the risk of infections (Willis et al., 2019; Oktanauli et al., 2019). So, every sip of your cinnamon tea not only warms you up but also helps strengthen your body’s defenses.

6. Potential Cancer Prevention

Cancer prevention refers to actions taken to lower the chance of getting cancer. Among the cinnamon tea benefits, its potential role in cancer prevention is highly promising. Some studies suggest that cinnamon tea could have chemopreventive effects and may inhibit the growth of cancer cells (Qin et al., 2010; Willis et al., 2019). However, more research is required to fully substantiate the potential role of cinnamon tea in cancer prevention.

7. Improved Insulin Sensitivity

Insulin sensitivity describes how responsive your cells are to insulin. Higher insulin sensitivity allows the cells of the body to use blood glucose more effectively, reducing blood sugar. One of the key cinnamon tea benefits is its ability to enhance insulin sensitivity. Research has indicated that cinnamon tea can improve insulin action and increase insulin sensitivity (Anderson et al., 2003; R, 2018). For individuals with insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes, this benefit of cinnamon tea can be particularly helpful.

8. benefits of cinnamon tea for weight loss

Weight management involves adopting long-term lifestyle modifications to maintain a healthy body weight based on age, sex, and height. Studies have shown that cinnamon tea can reduce postprandial glucose levels and delay gastric emptying, leading to increased feelings of satiety (Hlebowicz et al., 2007; Bernardo et al., 2015). These factors may aid in weight management, making cinnamon tea a great addition to any weight-conscious individual’s diet.

9. Cardiovascular Protection

Cardiovascular protection refers to the measures taken to prevent or delay cardiovascular diseases, which are disorders of the heart and blood vessels. By reducing risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases, such as high blood glucose, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol levels, cinnamon tea benefits cardiovascular health (Khan et al., 2003; Qin et al., 2010). Consequently, regular consumption of cinnamon tea can be a strategic part of a heart-healthy diet.

10. Gastrointestinal Health

Gastrointestinal health relates to the function and balance of the digestive tract. Traditionally, cinnamon tea has been used to treat various gastrointestinal complaints, including bloating, flatulence, and mild diarrhea (Zhang et al., 2022). It may provide soothing and anti-spasmodic effects on the gastrointestinal tract. This is another reason to incorporate cinnamon tea into your daily routine for overall wellness.

In conclusion, the cinnamon tea health benefits are indeed extensive and wide-ranging. From potentially improving your heart health to aiding in weight management, this flavorful beverage can be a warm, comforting addition to your daily routine. Don’t forget to explore other types of tea in our comprehensive article on the ”health benefits of drinking tea”.

What’s the Best Way to Take Cinnamon Tea?

Whether you enjoy your cinnamon tea in the morning, afternoon, or night, there’s no wrong time for this comforting beverage. Try pairing it with a slice of apple pie or a warm oatmeal cookie for a perfect combination. Additionally, you can use cinnamon tea as a base for your homemade chai tea latte.

If you prefer to enjoy it in a fun and flavorful way while reaping the benefits of other herbs, you should absolutely try the cinnamon tea blends from Art of Tea!

Potential Side Effects and Considerations of Cinnamon Tea

While the benefits of drinking cinnamon tea are vast, it’s crucial to consider any potential side effects. Cinnamon tea should be consumed in moderation as overconsumption might lead to liver damage due to the coumarin content. Always ensure you source your cinnamon from reputable suppliers to avoid any contamination or adulteration.

Conclusion on cinnamon tea benefits

From improved blood glucose control to gastrointestinal health, the cinnamon tea health benefits are plentiful. If you’ve not yet experienced the warmth and wellness offered by cinnamon tea, it’s time to brew a cup and experience these benefits first-hand. Don’t forget to share your cinnamon tea experiences with us and check out our review post about the best cinnamon tea.

References

• Anderson, R., Broadhurst, C., Polansky, M., Schmidt, W., Khan, A., Flanagan, V., … & Graves, D. (2003). Isolation and Characterization Of Polyphenol Type-a Polymers From Cinnamon With Insulin-like Biological Activity. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 1(52), 65-70. Link Here
• Bernardo, M., Silva, M., Santos, E., Moncada, M., Brito, J., Proença, L., … & Mesquita, M. (2015). Effect Of Cinnamon Tea On Postprandial Glucose Concentration. Journal of Diabetes Research, (2015), 1-6. Link Here
• Culas, S., Marapana, R., Palangasinghe, I., Liyanage, A. (2021). Development Of Liquid-based Tea and Its Antidiabetic Effect. Journal of Chemistry, (2021), 1-6. Link Here
• Hlebowicz, J., Darwiche, G., Björgell, O., Almér, L. (2007). Effect Of Cinnamon On Postprandial Blood Glucose, Gastric Emptying, and Satiety In Healthy Subjects. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 6(85), 1552-1556. Link Here
• Huda, A., Hasan, A., Safithri, M. (2023). Acetylcholinesterase Enzyme Inhibitor and Antioxidant Activities From A Mixture Extracts Of Black Tea, Red Betel, Cinnamon And Curcuma. Current Biochemistry, 2(9), 63-72. Link Here
• Khan, A., Safdar, M., Khan, M., Khattak, K., Anderson, R. (2003). Cinnamon Improves Glucose and Lipids Of People With Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes Care, 12(26), 3215-3218. Link Here
• Oktanauli, P., Taher, P., Prayogi, N., Timur, F. (2019). Difference Effect Between Gargling With Green Tea Water and Cinnamon Decoction Against Halitosis.. Link Here
• Qin, B., Panickar, K., Anderson, R. (2010). Cinnamon: Potential Role In the Prevention Of Insulin Resistance, Metabolic Syndrome, And Type 2 Diabetes. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, 3(4), 685-693. Link Here
• R, A. (2018). Diabetes, Cinnamon and Green Tea. Open Access Journal of Endocrinology, 2(2). Link Here Ranasinghe, P., Jayawardena, R., Pigera, S., Wathurapatha, W., Weeratunga, H., Premakumara, G., … & Galappaththy, P. (2017). Evaluation Of Pharmacodynamic Properties and Safety Of Cinnamomum Zeylanicum (Ceylon
• Cinnamon) In Healthy Adults: A Phase I Clinical Trial. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 1(17). Link Here
• Salam, z., Deirmenci, I., Uuml, M., Guuml, H. (2012). The Protective Effects Of Cinnamon and Sugar Tea Extract On Diabetic Rats With Interrelationships Between Oxidative Stress And Dna Damage. African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 43(6), 3012-3017. Link Here
• Shokri, G., Fathi, H., Sabet, M., Nasrabadi, N., Ataee, R. (2015). Evaluation Of Anti-diabetic Effects Of Hydroalcoholic Extract Of Green Tea and Cinnamon On Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats. Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Research, 2(1), 20-29. Link Here
• Silva, D., Jeewanthi, R., Rajapaksha, R., Weddagala, W., Hirotsu, N., Shimizu, B., … & Munasinghe, M. (2021). Clean Vs Dirty Labels: Transparency and Authenticity Of The Labels Of Ceylon Cinnamon. Plos One, 11(16), e0260474. Link Here
• Sylvi, D., Syukri, D., Rozi, F., Sari, D. (2022). Physicochemical Properties Of Herbal Tea Bags From Belimbing Wuluh Leaves (Averrhoa Bilimbi) and Gotu Kola Leaves (Centella Asiatica) With The Addition Of Cinnamon Powder (Cinnamomun Burmanii). Eksakta Berkala Ilmiah Bidang Mipa, 02(23), 117-132. Link Here
• Willis, S., Sunkara, R., Hester, F., Shackelford, L., Walker, L., Verghese, M. (2019). Chemopreventive and Anti-inflammatory Potential Of Select Herbal Teas And Cinnamon In An &Amp;lt;i>in-vitro</i> Cell Model. Food and Nutrition Sciences, 09(10), 1142-1156. Link Here
• Zhang, M., Yifei, W., Moore, R., Harrington, P. (2022). Development Of a Metabolite Ratio Rule-based Method For Automated Metabolite Profiling And Species Differentiation Of Four Major Cinnamon Species. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 17(70), 5450-5457. Link Here