Have you heard about cinnamon and ginger for weight loss? If you’re looking for a healthy way to lose weight, this is certainly one that you might want to consider. The two are incredibly healthy for your metabolism and will help you burn unwanted fat more effectively!
Ginger, Cinnamon and Lemon
Ginger, cinnamon and lemon combined, can result in a very effective fat-burning tea. This highly slimming drink helps eliminate toxins from the body and combat fluid retention. Below we have laid-out details of what the slimming properties of each of these ingredients are:
Properties of ginger to lose weight
- Ginger contains gingerol and shogaol, two components that accelerate metabolism and, therefore, allow the body to burn a greater amount of fat and consume more energy.
- It exerts a thermogenic effect, because when it is consumed, body temperature rises and this also contributes to the burning off of accumulated fats.
- It helps reduce appetite by raising the levels of serotonin in the body, which is a neurotransmitter that regulates the sensation of hunger.
- It eliminates accumulated toxins and combats fluid retention, which causes inflammation in different areas of the body.
- Improves the process of digestion by increasing the production of gastric juices.
Properties of cinnamon to lose weight
- It is thermogenic, so it helps speed up the metabolism and burn fat.
- It regulates blood sugar levels, and this reduces the amount of insulin and the amount of fat that accumulates in some areas of the body.
- Regulates intestinal transit and prevents swelling of the abdomen.
- It improves the functions of the kidneys and contributes to the elimination of accumulated liquids.
- Reduces appetite.
Properties of lemon to lose weight
- It is diuretic and eliminates all accumulated toxins, which influence weight gain.
- Improves digestion and prevents the suffering of abdominal inflammation or gas.
- It helps to burn more fats by accelerating metabolism and contains a flavonoid that acts as a natural blood fat remover.
- Reduces the sensation of hunger and favors the alkalization of the body.
How Ginger and Cinnamon Work Together to Trigger Weight Loss
Drinking a tea made of fresh ginger and cinnamon bark works to accomplish weight loss because the two spices work synergistically to:
- Stimulate the circulation, so the body is more efficient at clearing toxins and fats out of the bloodstream
- Stimulate the process of peristalsis in the colon to remove excess waste that may be impairing its function
- Cleanse the digestive system of microorganisms and, fungi and parasites that may be creating a toxic environment in the gut that is sabotaging weight loss
- Halt the growth of the yeast Candida that contributes to metabolic disorders and weight gain
- Help the ejection of bile from the gallbladder, which helps reduce cholesterol
- Lower blood sugar in people with metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance and Type II Diabetes
- Both ginger and cinnamon consist of unique essential oils that calm cravings and help suppress appetite
Ginger and Cinnamon Tea facilitates healhty weight loss.
How to Make Ginger and Cinnamon Tea
To lose weight using ginger and cinnamon, brew a tea made from fresh ground cinnamon bark and grated fresh ginger. You can substitute powdered cinnamon, but it will not have as many active ingredients like the fresh bark, which contains more of the essential oil.
- 1
Grate two teaspoons of ginger and add to a teapot
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You can use regular ginger, or Jamaican ginger, which is a bit more bitter and hotter in flavor.
Grated ginger works best when making weight loss tea.
- 2
Add a quart of boiling water to the teapot
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You can keep rebrewing for two more brews if you want to make a lot of this elixir.
- 3
Drink a cup or two while hot and bottle the rest for later
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This type of tea mix will keep three days in the refrigerator.
Ginger and cinnamon tea can be consumed cold with fruit as a garnish.
- 4
Drink 8 ounces of the tea first thing in the morning and another before you got to bed
.
For many, this can result in a two-pound loss of weight a week. You can drink the tea as often as you like during the day to lose even more weight.
Ways to Use Cinnamon and Ginger to Your Diet
You can use the ginger and cinnamon tea brew as a base liquid that can be added to other foods that you eat during the day or you can use the spices in powdered or grated form. Ginger can also be sliced and added directly to any dish.
- 1
Add a couple of teaspoons of the tea to add a healthy weight loss kick to any lemonade or iced tea drink
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It is also delicious added to hot lemon drinks and hot black tea.
Ginger and cinnamon can be added to any limeade or lemonade drink to make it a weight loss potion.
- 2
Add a bit of the cinnamon ginger tea or the spices themselves to any broth, soup or dish containing sweet potato, squash or carrots
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Both cinnamon and ginger complement the sweeter flavors of these vegetables well.
Ginger and cinnamon enhance carrot soup.
- 3
Add the cinnamon ginger tea or the spices themselves to marinades for beef and lamb
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You can also add it to lamb and beef broths for a bit of a spicy, yet healing twist.
- 4
Make an Asian sauce using the cinnamon and ginger tea, onions, garlic and light soy sauce
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Fry onions lightly in two teaspoons of light sesame oil with finely chopped onions and garlic and then add cinnamon and ginger tea, and the soy sauce. Pour over any meat, vegetable or rice dish to transform it into an Asian one, while at the same time getting the weight loss benefits of the cinnamon and ginger. Garlic and onions also possess enzymatic abilities that help facilitate weight loss. Note that you can add the grated ginger or powdered cinnamon to these recipes.
Ginger and cinnamon are ingredients in the popular Asian dish – Ginger Stir-fried Beef.
- 5
Add your favorite masala mix or curry to cinnamon and ginger tea to make a quick, healthy East Indian style sauce for vegetables and meats
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This is particularly delicious on cauliflower and in hot pea or lentil soups and dishes.
Ginger and cinnamon goes well in any curry.
- 6
Make a weight loss salad dressing by combining cinnamon and ginger tea, grated lemon, lemon juice, a touch of rice vinegar and sesame seed oil
.
If you want less of an Asian flare, use a touch of coconut oil and use apple cider vinegar instead.
HOW TO MAKE CINNAMON GINGER TEA
It’s super easy to make. All you need is five ingredients:
- Cinnamon Sticks. Ground cinnamon just isn’t able to give the same flavor, and can sometimes become bitter. Try to find ones that are ‘Ceylon’ cinnamon, as the Cassia cinnamon can make you sick in high doses. Ceylon is lighter brown with thin layers, while Cassia cinnamon is darker brown with one thick layer curled up.
- Fresh Ginger Root. Cutting it into slices helps it steep in the water more efficiently.
- Peel of a Washed Lemon. Use a vegetable peeler to get nice thick strips. Make sure to only get the peel and not so much the pith –the white part under the skin– as it’s extremely bitter.
- Honey, sugar, or other sweeteners. Whatever your preference is to sweeten up the tea. I love using honey for its health properties whenever I feel a cough coming.
- Cold Water.
In a large pot, add the cinnamon sticks, ginger slices, and lemon peel to the water and bring it to a boil for 10 minutes then bring down to a simmer. Let this all steep for as long as you want, even past an hour.
Pour into a pitcher or carafe and keep in the fridge for up to a week.
CINNAMON GINGER TEA HAS HEALTH BENEFITS
We all know that we are what we eat and yes, food can (and often does!) have medicinal properties. Here are just some of the great things that this simple, easy tea does for the body.
CINNAMON
- Loaded with polyphenol antioxidants, which protect the body’s tissues against oxidative stress and associated illnesses like cancers, coronary heart disease, and inflammation.
- Is linked to a reduced risk of heart disease, which is the world’s most common cause of death.
- Lowers LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure.
- Can increase insulin sensitivity, reduce insulin resistance, and lower blood sugar
- Cinnamaldehyde, one of the main active components of cinnamon, may help fight various kinds of infection, including tooth decay.
GINGER
- Reduces the symptoms of nausea, especially in pregnant women
- Is an anti-inflammatory
- Lowers blood sugar
- Studies have also seen ginger help reduce the risk of heart disease
- Helps treat chronic indigestion
- Relieves menstrual pain
- Lowers LDL cholesterol levels
- May prevent Alzheimers and cancers thanks to antioxidant properties
- Is effective against infections, including respiratory infections
LEMON PEEL
- High in flavonoid antioxidants and vitamin C
- D-limonene, an antioxidant, is linked to lower the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes
- Boosts the immune system
- Boosts overall heart health
- Can treat gall stones and can help prevent cancer
HONEY
- Rich in antioxidants
- Helps lower blood pressure
- Raises HDL (good) cholesterol and lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol levels
- Lowers risk of diabetes and heart disease
- Helps treat coughs and improves sleep quality in those who have an upper respiratory infection
Yes, y’all. This tea is a total powerhouse for your health. And it tastes great. It’s a win-win situation here with affordable ingredients.
Possible health complications of high doses of cinnamon
As with all supplements, it’s important to control the dose and not take too much. The coumarin in Cassia cinnamon may cause side effects.
1. Liver damage
Too much coumarin may cause liver damage, especially in individuals with pre-existing liver disease.
2. Low blood sugar
One of the benefits of cinnamon is that it can help to regulate blood sugar. One of the side effects of too much cinnamon, however, is that it can drop your blood sugar too low, which can cause:
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Shakiness
- Anxiety
Be sure to contact your doctor if you are interested in cinnamon supplements, especially if you are diabetic and taking blood sugar medication. Your specific medication may be adversely affected by cinnamon.
3. Allergies
Some people are born with or develop an allergy to cinnamon. Some symptoms of a cinnamon allergy include skin irritation and an upset stomach every time you ingest it.
4. Interactions with other medications
Some medications can be adversely affected by taking too much cinnamon. Additionally, some conditions can be harder to manage or even get worse with too much cinnamon.
- Cinnamon can lower blood sugar and increase the effects of medication for diabetes, lowering blood sugar too much.
- The coumarin in some cinnamon can interact negatively with medication that also affects the liver, like acetaminophen or statins, increasing the risk of liver damage.
Be sure to talk to your doctor if you are diabetic and considering taking cinnamon supplements. If you are taking any medications that affect your liver, avoid cinnamon supplements to avoid negative interactions.
The takeaway
Cinnamon is fragrant, flavorful, and can provide health benefits. But not every jar of cinnamon is the same. If you want to use cinnamon as a supplement for its health benefits, be very careful when you read the labels and talk to your doctor.
High doses of the flavoring agent coumarin may lead to liver damage in some people. Ceylon cinnamon does not typically contain coumarin, whereas Cassia cinnamon contains much more of it.
It’s always best to talk to your doctor before taking any supplements, especially if you’re taking other medications. To get the health benefits of cinnamon without having to worry about the hazards of coumarin, you can sprinkle a small amount of cinnamon on your food or occasionally drink cinnamon tea.