For those who like and enjoy cinnamon, there’s even more reason to further indulge in and add it to your daily meals: weight loss. Recent studies have shown that this spice is capable of increasing your rate of metabolism, which means possible weight loss and lean muscle.
About Cinnamon Oil Cinnamaldehyde
The study which was carried out by University of Michigan researchers and published in Metabolism, focused on Cinnamon Oil Cinnamaldehyde, the oil that gives cinnamon its distinctive flavor. During the study, fat cells from human and mouse subjects were exposed to Cinnamaldehyde.
The exposure resulted in rapid cellular metabolism and calorie burning within those cells. Upon closer inspection the researchers also observed that the presence of Cinnamaldehyde resulted in other reactions affecting proteins, enzymes and even genes.
The body naturally stores excess calorie as fat to be used up and converted to energy when the body either doesn’t get enough food or is low on energy. These cells known as adipocytes –because they are lipids based cells- handle this process.
In the early and pre-civilization days, this was nature’s way of sustaining and keeping our ancestors going when there was acute food shortage or the weather was too cold and they couldn’t go out to get heat.
But in these days of plenty and abundance, these fat cells just sit there doing absolutely nothing except keep storing fat, resulting in excess weight gain and diabetes.
While there are various ways to burn off the excess calories, the reality is that it does entail a lot of physical effort and activity. This is something that many people are unwilling to do Many are also unwilling to go on a diet that helps them lower their calorific intake.
According to the lead researcher, assistant professor Jun Wu, taking cinnamon frequently just might be the missing ingredient necessary for weight loss without effort, seeing as the study shows that it helps with thermogenesis –cellular energy expenditure.
Taking cinnamon constantly may result in some of the fat getting used and converted into energy, resulting in less fatty deposits if the result of the study is anything to go by.
The study though, was focused solely on the fat storing cells, and not on human subjects. So there’s need for a more extensive study involving human as a whole, and not just their cells.
The study also goes on to state that even though cinnamon can be consumed in moderate quantities, there’s no specific dosage yet that will guarantee fat burning and the resultant weight loss.
The lead researcher, Jun Wu, also suggests that while there’s no concrete evidence that daily regular cinnamon consumption would immediately swing into action and start the process of thermogenesis, it is possible that it could build up in the body to the point where the weight loss begins.
She says “a sprinkle of cinnamon here or there may not be enough to show immediate, measurable effects on metabolism. However, we speculate that you don’t have to eat a large amount of cinnamon all at once. If you eat it every day, we suspect there will be a cumulative effect, and that over time you will achieve these benefits.”
This study seems to be in line with other studies previously carried out on the role of cinnamon in the prevention of obesity and high blood sugar. There have also been studies suggesting that it helps reduce and manage hyperglycemia in individuals living with type 2 diabetes.
This study is simply an addition to the bulk of studies on the positive effects that cinnamon has on overall health and well-being. Wu says “After this, I would recommend eating a little more than you do already. If you already eat a lot of it, carry on—and if it’s not something you use regularly, it’s a great time to start.”
Cinnamon Oil Cinnamaldehyde Conclusion
Well, you heard her and the science. If you haven’t been eating cinnamon, it’s not too late. Start today and add it to your foods, drinks… whatever you eat really, and you should experience some of Cinnamon Oil Cinnamaldehyde‘s reported benefits.
