Useful properties of cinnamon and contraindications. Health benefits and harms
For many years, cinnamon has been considered a prima donna among spices. A few centuries ago, it was very expensive and was worth its weight in silver. This unique spice is able to diversify the taste of dishes and brings an irreplaceable beneficial effect on human health.
The seasoning is made from the bark of an evergreen tree growing in the Asian tropics. Ceylon cinnamon is especially appreciated by specialists. In the network of stores you can buy spice in the form of sticks, or you can buy it in powder form.
spice benefits
The irreplaceable benefits of cinnamon are due to the presence of a certain composition of the elements that are in the spice. This:
- dietary fiber, carbohydrates and fats, proteins, saturated fatty acids, di- and monosaccharides;
- unique oil - eugenol;
- vitamins A, E, C and group B;
- macronutrients: potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus;
- trace elements: zinc, iron, manganese, copper, selenium.
In addition to the useful properties known to all, this spice improves the taste of pastries and sweet drinks, cinnamon is widely used in cosmetology and as a means of traditional medicine. She provides:
- anti-inflammatory;
- antimicrobial;
- painkiller;
- antibacterial action.
The therapeutic benefit of the substance is based on the content of special polyphenols in it. Cinnamon is often recommended for prevention and treatment during the height of viral diseases and for their prevention. This remedy promotes expectoration, stimulates the body's immune system. Warm drinks with the addition of cinnamon help to increase sweating, relieve swelling of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity, and facilitate breathing.
For the treatment of diseases of the stomach and intestinal tract, spice is often used. She provides:
- tonic;
- stimulating;
- antiseptic action.
It enhances appetite and stimulates the digestive process. Fiber, which is part of the spice, has the ability to clean the human colon from accumulated toxins. The spice has a positive effect on the gastrointestinal tract, improves its functioning.
Specialists note a special property of cinnamon - to prevent thrombosis, its property to increase the elasticity of blood vessels. Therefore, it is recommended to take it regularly to reduce the risk of heart disease and vascular system, to prevent heart attack and stroke.
World scientists, after the research, concluded that cinnamon contributes to the normalization of blood sugar levels. It is useful for patients with diabetes mellitus, since the polyphenol contained in the spice helps to improve the patient's response to the injected insulin. Scientists have proven its properties: reduce hunger, speed up metabolic processes in the body, improve blood circulation.
The smell of cinnamon is used by specialists in the appointment of aromatherapy. Choline, stimulates brain activity, improves memory and helps to improve mood and increase efficiency. The spice is considered the most useful for depression: its aroma invigorates a person and improves mood.
Eugenol is an essential oil found in cinnamon that has an analgesic effect in skin diseases. Due to the aldehyde of cinnamic acid found in the spice, its warming effect is highly valued.
The benefits of spices for beauty
Universal seasoning gives not only a noble aroma and taste to dishes, it has a beneficial effect on the human body - cinnamon is used in the cosmetology industry. Thanks to the antioxidants in the composition, the ability of the spice to stimulate blood circulation in the vessels of the skin and hair follicles has been proven.
A long time popular spice added to face masks and hair growth stimulation, giving them an amazing silky sheen to restore their structure and strength. Cosmetologists practice such masks for patients with weakened and brittle hair. Ease of manufacture and use allows their use at home.
Popular recipes for hair masks for women
Restoring. To prepare the mask mixture, you need to take:
- a teaspoon of ground cinnamon,
- fresh honey - 2 tablespoons,
- warmed oil (olive or castor) - 2 tablespoons.
Mix well and apply to damp hair. Cover the head with a plastic cap or film and wrap it with a scarf. The mask stays on for about an hour. Then rinse the hair with running water with the addition of shampoo. Rinsing is carried out with water, to which you need to add the juice from half a lemon.
Mask - giving volume to the hair. Cooking method:
- mash red tomato,
- oil (burdock or sunflower) and honey, one tablespoon each,
- one teaspoon ground cinnamon
- well beaten egg.
All ingredients mix well. The mixture must be applied to the head and along the entire length of the hair. Keep about a pool of an hour. Over time, the hair is washed with shampoo or soap and rinsed with water with added lemon juice.
Mask that promotes hair growth. The use of such a mask helps to strengthen the hair and promotes their rapid growth. Cooking:
- a medium-sized onion is ground into gruel;
- 4 cloves of garlic (medium size) finely chopped
- two teaspoons of cinnamon;
- a teaspoon of liquid honey.
Everything is very thoroughly mixed and rubbed into the skin and hair roots. The head is covered with a plastic cap and tied with a scarf for half an hour. Wash your head with running water with soap or shampoo, be sure to rinse with a nettle decoction.
What else is the use of unique cinnamon
Modern scientists have proven that it is cinnamon that helps to preserve the beauty and youth of the body of women. Regular consumption of spice enhances sexuality and awakens attraction, normalizes the menstrual cycle, increases the sensitivity of erogenous zones.
Many people know about the miraculous property of seasoning to enhance metabolic processes in the body. Thanks to this action, fat cells are burned quickly. Popular among women who want to lose weight is a drink made from spices and fat-free kefir.
The recipe for making a drink is quick and quite simple: one and a half liters of kefir must be combined with one spoon of cinnamon, mix well. Keep refrigerated. Take a glass throughout the day. During the unloading day - only one - weight loss is 1 - 1.5 kg. For further weight loss - dinner is replaced with such a drink.
The benefits of spices for the stronger sex are undeniable. Its use increases potency and improves erection. Preparing a drink: pour a spoonful of cinnamon powder into a glass of boiling water. Infuse for 40 - 45 minutes, add two tablespoons of honey and be sure to mix thoroughly. Take half a glass only once a day for two months.
The main thing to remember is that using cinnamon inside you can not add sugar and fat. The combination with these ingredients cinnamon loses the lion's share of its irreplaceable properties.
Which housewife can find cinnamon in the kitchen? Yes, almost anyone who loves cooking, and cinnamon can be either whole or ground. Cinnamon sticks with a wonderful tasty smell are used for various desserts. Cinnamon has great benefits, which this article will discuss. You will also learn where else you can use cinnamon powder and what diseases it can prevent and cure.
The benefits of cinnamon
Most likely, no one thought about the fact that cinnamon can be of various types. Among them are Ceylon, Malabar, Chinese cinnamon and cinnamon. They differ in taste and smell. Cinnamon contains a lot of useful elements, vitamins. It includes: vitamins E and C, calcium, potassium, essential oils, sodium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, starch, eugenol, iron, monosaccharides, disaccharides, choline, pyridoxine and pantothenic acid.
In addition to the fact that cinnamon is added to buns, it has many more useful properties:
- helps with colds;
- stabilizes blood sugar;
- prevents the appearance of blood clots;
- improves the cardiovascular system;
- eliminates bad breath;
- has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect;
- reduces pain during menstruation;
- relieves constipation, nausea;
- reduces headaches;
- helps as a diuretic;
- cures many diseases;
- improves the immune system;
- useful in kidney disease;
- lowers cholesterol levels;
- is an anti-cancer agent;
- improves vision, concentration;
- increases male potency and cures infertility.
Harm cinnamon
Despite the fact that cinnamon sticks are of great benefit, there is also harm in them. Let's start with the fact that cinnamon is an irritant for the gastrointestinal tract, so in no case should it be swallowed in batches, especially for people with peptic ulcers. It is also not recommended to take it in large quantities for people suffering from pressure, heart disease, kidneys, liver.
Cinnamon powder can cause miscarriage and uterine contractions in a pregnant woman. During treatment, it is necessary to refrain from taking cinnamon, because in tandem with pharmaceutical preparations, cinnamon changes their effect on the body. Naturally, it is better to consume the spice in moderation, if you exceed the "limit" you can earn a headache and a breakdown. In some cases, the powder causes allergic reactions.
Cinnamon Contraindications
Cinnamon is contraindicated:
- women during pregnancy;
- small children;
- breastfeeding women;
- with ulcers;
- with poor blood clotting;
- at high pressure;
- at elevated body temperature;
- people with individual intolerance to this product;
- with diseases of the kidneys, liver, heart, gastrointestinal tract;
- with bleeding.
Cinnamon during pregnancy
As you can see, cinnamon during pregnancy is contraindicated. But! Experts disagree on this issue. Some are categorically against cinnamon during the period, while others highlight the beneficial qualities of this spice for expectant mothers. So, what is useful in it for women in labor:
- Cinnamon is an antiseptic, so this effect is necessary for a pregnant woman.
- The spice stimulates the functioning of the kidneys, pancreas, and liver, as a result of which it relieves the woman of edema.
- This powder is recommended only for those females who have a completely healthy and good pregnancy. But strictly in limited quantities - half a small spoon.
- You can take the spice for colds, migraines, pain in the liver, kidneys.
- Cinnamon is also useful after pregnancy - it boosts the immune system, raises the tone.
- It is not recommended to use cinnamon for bleeding, intolerance to this product, and in no case should you use cinnamon essential oil. It is extremely dangerous for women in position.
Application of cinnamon
This fragrant spice is used in many areas. First, you need to talk about cooking. Cinnamon is used in most cases for cooking pastries and desserts. Also added to various sauces, coffee, cocktails,. Next, mention should be made of cosmetics: soaps, creams, shower gels, masks, they add cinnamon for flavor. It is used even for motorists, on its basis they make "skunks" for the car.
Many people who dream of losing weight take a variety of drinks based on cinnamon sticks or powder. The spice is also present in some medicines and is used in its pure form for the treatment and prevention of many diseases.
Not so long ago, the spice began to be used in the field of cosmetology. It is added to masks for the face, hair, body, peelings, essential oil is used in and aromatherapy.
Cinnamon for weight loss
Cinnamon is a well-known fat burner, so you can often see various weight loss recipes based on this spice. And this is really true, but still you should not consider this a panacea for extra pounds. After all, you will not lose weight from cinnamon alone, you also need sports exercises, exercise, diets, and a balanced diet. But with cinnamon, you can simply strengthen and slightly increase the result of your labors.
Cinnamon increases the metabolism in the human body, which is why excess fats go away. Along with them, you get rid of cholesterol, toxins and harmful toxins, which also improves metabolism and decreases in volume. Based on cinnamon powder, you can prepare various drinks, consuming them throughout the day. Or arrange for yourself "easy days" on kefir and cinnamon.
- Unloading days - purchase 1.5 liters of kefir, add a spoonful of ground cinnamon to it. Keep the drink in the refrigerator, drink a glass three times a day. The main rule is not to burst the next day with happiness that you have lost 1-1.5 kg.
- You can drink such a drink only for dinner if it is very difficult for you to last the day. But here, of course, everything will drag on much longer, but the effect will still be.
- In kefir, in addition to cinnamon, you can add a grated green apple. Grated fruit will cleanse the intestines and remove excess deposits.
- If there are no apples, they can be replaced with bran, prunes. For a glass of kefir, two tablespoons of bran and berries and half a spoonful of spices.
- On a glass of kefir, you can add a pinch of hot pepper, 0.5 tablespoons of ground cinnamon and grated ginger.
- In the evening, you can pour ground cinnamon (500 ml / 0.5 tsp) with boiling water, insist it, strain. Add honey and drink half of the liquid before going to bed, and leave the other part in the morning.
- Orange tea - pour boiling water over the tea leaves and leave to brew. In another container, mix a glass of water, a little granulated sugar, put on fire. Then add orange zest, a pinch of cinnamon. Then let the mixture brew. Mix tea and orange broth, having previously filtered both liquids. For taste, you can add freshly squeezed apple juice.
If you suddenly experience pain, diarrhea, disorders, you must immediately stop taking drinks.
Cinnamon for hair
Due antioxidant properties, spice well stimulates blood circulation inside the epidermis and hair follicles. It improves hair growth, gives them shine, a healthy, well-groomed appearance, besides, after the procedures, the hair will smell pleasantly like cinnamon. That is why you can do with the addition of powder.
- To restore the hairline, combine a couple of tablespoons of heated olive oil, a spoonful of cinnamon powder, a couple of tablespoons of heated honey. Spread the mixture on wet hair, wrapping it with a film and a towel for 50 minutes. After wash your hair with shampoo.
- From split ends, a mask of ripe tomato, which must be mashed into a puree, a beaten chicken egg, a spoonful of vegetable oil, a spoonful of ground cinnamon and a spoonful of warm honey, will perfectly relieve split ends. Hold the mass for about 25 minutes.
- For - grind the average onion into a puree, add 5 chopped garlic cloves, a spoonful of honey and a couple of tablespoons of cinnamon. Apply only to the hair roots, wrapping with a film and a towel for 30 minutes.
- To moisturize dry hair - put an egg yolk and a spoonful of ground cinnamon in a glass of kefir. Massage the roots of the hair with massage movements and keep for about an hour.
- To lighten hair - mix 4 tablespoons of cinnamon powder, 5 tablespoons of warmed honey, 150 ml of hair balm. Apply to clean, damp hair with a brush, do not rub into the skin in order to exclude burns. Wrap hair with a film, cover with a towel on top for 45 minutes. After that, remove the towel and film and walk for another 4 hours with the mixture on your hair.
Cinnamon for the face
There are a lot of ingredients in cinnamon sticks. For example, vitamin E - it perfectly nourishes the skin, renews skin cells, smoothes wrinkles. In addition, cinnamon improves blood circulation, removes swelling, irritation, inflammation, dryness. Vitamin C helps the skin become more elastic, smooth and velvety. The spice is added not only to masks, but also to peeling, as it is an excellent cleanser. After the procedure, the skin may turn a little red, but this is not scary.
- For dry skin, a honey mask is suitable. Mix a spoonful of honey, half a spoonful of ground cinnamon, yolk. Keep on face for 25 minutes.
- For oily skin, combine the same ingredients, only replace the yolk with protein.
- For normal skin - mix a spoonful of fatty sour cream or yogurt without fillers with a spoonful of honey and half a spoonful of ground cinnamon.
- A mask mixed with 1⁄4 of a banana, a spoonful of lemon juice, a couple of tablespoons of fatty sour cream, and 1⁄4 tablespoons of cinnamon powder will help get rid of the hated and pigmentation. Spread on the skin of the face and neck for 25 minutes.
- If you have essential cinnamon in stock, then you can safely make a mask out of it. You just need to add a few drops of ether to any care product, even your favorite cream.
- Berry-fruit mask - mix raspberries, peaches, strawberries or cherries with lemon juice and cinnamon.
- Oatmeal - mix a couple of tablespoons of honey, a spoonful of cinnamon, a spoonful of oatmeal and pour everything with warmed milk. If the skin is oily, it is better to take kefir or yogurt. Hold the mass for 15 minutes.
- From pimples, a mixture of honey and cinnamon will wash. It should be applied to pimples, gently rubbing into the skin.
- Coffee - to a spoonful of coffee, add half a spoonful of ground cinnamon, a pinch of salt and granulated sugar, a spoonful of natural oil. Gently spread on the face with massage movements, leaving for 15 minutes.
- Tonic for the face - stir a spoonful of ground cinnamon in a glass of purified water. This composition can wipe the skin in the morning.
Cinnamon treatment
Whatever it was, but cinnamon can actually cure some diseases.
- Experts recommend that diabetics take half a small spoonful of ground cinnamon every morning. It will significantly lower your sugar levels.
- People suffering from gastrointestinal problems can also take 0.5 tablespoons.
- Cinnamon will heal wounds and sores, cleanse the intestines.
- With the help of cinnamon, various fungi, wounds, eczema and skin diseases are even cured.
- To maintain good immunity, you can eat a spoonful of honey mixed with cinnamon several times a day, it also helps with colds. Cinnamon has analgesic, expectorant, antiviral, antipyretic properties. By mixing honey and powder in equal proportions, you can get rid of a toothache. You just need to put a mass on the problem tooth.
- For the normal functioning of the cardiovascular system, it is best to drink tea with honey and ground cinnamon.
- Cinnamon improves mood, increases appetite, oxygenates the brain and improves memory.
- To get rid of bad breath, mix water with cinnamon and honey and rinse your mouth. This solution will also help with insect bites. And if you take it inside, the drink will help cure arthritis.
- For flu, brew tea by dipping a cinnamon stick into it. For greater effect, add orange zest and honey. Or drink milk with honey and ground cinnamon.
- Helps a lot with colds. In order to cook it, you need a saucepan. Pour 750 ml of dry red into it, 150 ml of juice from apples, put a chopped apple. Lemon zest, a couple of cinnamon sticks, 4 cloves add a little later. Put everything on low heat, warm up for 15 minutes, then add ground ginger on the tip of a knife and remove the saucepan from the stove. Cover with a lid and leave for 7 minutes. Put 3 tablespoons of honey, decant and pour into glasses. The drink will perfectly warm and disinfect a sore throat, relieving the temperature.
This plant is widely used not only in cooking, but also in the treatment of various diseases. Useful properties and contraindications of cinnamon determine the appropriateness of its use in each case. Therefore, before starting home therapy, you should definitely understand in more detail the composition of the plant and its effect on the body.
Cinnamon contains a large number of various useful substances.
- It is very high in calories (247 kcal per 100 g of product) due to its high carbohydrate content.
- The plant also contains proteins and a small percentage of fats.
- The most significant place in the composition is occupied by dietary fiber (cellulose). This is due to the vegetable origin of the spice.
- It also contains water, a small amount of ash and saturated fatty acids.
The benefits of cinnamon are due to the active substances in its composition.
These include:
- calcium and potassium, phosphorus and magnesium, manganese and iron, sodium, zinc, copper and selenium;
- choline;
- ascorbic acid (vitamin C);
- tocopherol (vitamin E) and niacin (vitamin PP);
- a full range of B vitamins, including the most valuable folic acid for women (vitamin B9);
- beta carotene;
- phylloquinone (vitamin K) and retinol.
Other active substances include tannins, resins, coumarin, starch, polyphenol, aldehyde, and cinnamic alcohol. They also influence the properties of the product and have healing potential.
The chemical composition of cinnamon varies depending on the species.
- The most useful plants grow in Sri Lanka. The concentration of active substances and their ratio in them are optimal.
- In the Chinese form of Cassia, a large amount of coumarin and tannins was found. Therefore, from such cinnamon, the harm can exceed the benefits.
- The Malabar species and Cinnamon are of average quality and do not have a high therapeutic effect.
Cinnamon: useful and medicinal properties in detail
Due to the rich composition, cinnamon has a lot of useful properties.
These include:
- toning due to pyridoxine;
- disinfection under the influence of cinnamon alcohol;
- soothing due to coumarin;
- normalization of the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract due to fiber;
- reducing the concentration of dangerous cholesterol in the blood;
- prevention of rectal cancer due to the presence of vitamin K;
- regulation of carbohydrate metabolism by polyphenol;
- improved memory and concentration ability due to vitamin B1;
- regulation of the menstrual cycle due to folic acid.
Each active substance is responsible for certain medicinal properties of cinnamon. This allowed her to have a wide range of indications for use and the vastness of the scope.
Areas of application of cinnamon
Many people know this plant only as a spice. However, its scope is much wider. Due to its rich composition, cinnamon is widely used in the treatment of diseases with herbs, in cosmetology and nutrition.
Traditional medicine in the treatment of diseases
Herbalists and healers have been respected since ancient times, but even now some of their recipes are relevant. Cinnamon is also used to treat many diseases.
These include:
- the initial stage of atherosclerosis (removes dangerous cholesterol from the body);
- diabetes mellitus (regulation of blood sugar due to polyphenol, which accelerates the action of insulin);
- diarrhea (due to tannins in the composition);
- inflammatory processes in the kidneys (increases urination, washing the inflamed areas in a natural way);
- blockage of the biliary tract or liver pathology (is a choleretic agent);
- pathology of the heart and blood vessels, coronary heart disease;
- systemic diseases, rheumatoid arthritis;
- disorders in the human nervous system (improved sleep, increased mood, antidepressant effect);
- antipyretic for colds;
- due to the pungent odor, it helps to cope with nasal congestion;
- has an anti-inflammatory effect in the presence of diseases of the oral cavity.
A wide range of applications in folk medicine speaks of cinnamon as an indispensable medicine.
How cinnamon is used in cosmetology
The main product of cinnamon, widely used in cosmetology, is its oil.
With it, a body massage is performed, as well as various hair masks. But using this plant and just inside also improves the appearance. Vitamins K, E, A and group B help maintain the water balance of the skin, start its renewal, and help synthesize collagen.
Also, these substances stimulate and awaken the hair follicles. This increases the density of the hair.
Cinnamon tinctures are used to treat the skin, which help get rid of inflammation.
Cinnamon for weight loss
The main reason for gaining excess weight is improper functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and impaired carbohydrate metabolism. With the elimination of these problems, cinnamon does an excellent job. Due to the large amount of cellulose, it improves the evacuation of food from the intestines. This helps to speed up the metabolism, which is the main task of a person seeking to lose weight.
Normalization of carbohydrate metabolism also contributes to weight loss. This helps to expend more energy and accumulate less subcutaneous fat.
Importantly, the complex of vitamins allows you to maintain healthy skin and hair, even in conditions of malnutrition on a diet.
Application in cooking
Cinnamon, as a spice, is known to all. It is added to desserts, sprinkled with cakes and pastries. Also, most oriental dishes are prepared with this spice. Restaurants serve coffee with cinnamon, which adds a mild, spicy taste to it, and also allows intricate patterns to be painted on its surface.
This lifts the spirits of the guests, but in addition, the combination of cinnamon with coffee has a powerful invigorating effect.
The most famous drink with cinnamon is mulled wine. It is simply impossible to cook it properly without a spicy spice. And the dessert, which is known to the whole world, has rightfully become an apple pie with cinnamon. This combination is considered a culinary classic.
Cinnamon is often served with alcoholic beverages. It muffles the taste of alcohol and gives a refined aroma. Sometimes a cinnamon stick is specially placed on the table during dinner - its smell increases appetite and improves digestion.
How to use cinnamon for health?
A powerful vitamin cocktail is a mixture of ginger, cinnamon and honey.
- To prepare it, take a liter jar.
- It is half filled with honey, and then 100 g of ginger and 25 g of cinnamon are added.
- The mixture is thoroughly mixed and consumed with warm tea, 1 tablespoon 3 times a day.
You can also add orange or lemon to the composition. Citrus fruits will dilute the sweetness of honey, increase the amount of vitamin C in the medicine, and also add new flavor notes.
Tea with cinnamon is considered a healthy drink. It is prepared with milk.
- A traditional drink is prepared in a teapot, where a tablespoon of cinnamon is then poured.
- After thorough stirring, milk is added to the resulting solution.
The resulting tea drink stimulates the nervous system, gives strength and improves the functioning of the digestive organs. As a result, lightness and good mood appear.
Coffee with cinnamon - useful properties
Coffee perfectly stimulates the nervous system. It has an invigorating effect, and also helps to start the digestive tract. Cinnamon enhances its properties. A pinch of spice added to the drink softens its taste and adds a charge of vivacity. In a cafe, waiters make cinnamon drawings on coffee foam to improve the mood of the guest.
Such a drink remains delicious without the addition of sugar. This reduces the amount of carbohydrates consumed, which contributes to weight loss and improved appearance. And along with the lightness that has appeared, the energy of a person increases, which he will spend on useful actions. This significantly improves the quality of life and helps to move forward with renewed vigor.
Honey and cinnamon - what is the use of the combination?
Cinnamon and honey are used as a natural sedative.
They soothe and eliminate sleep disturbances. With colds, this combination acts as a powerful antipyretic. A drink with cinnamon and honey allows you to quickly remove toxins through the skin, increasing sweat production. This speeds up recovery and alleviates the patient's condition.
Useful properties and uses of cinnamon essential oil
Cinnamon oil has found extensive use in cosmetology. It helps relieve inflammation and also disinfects the skin.
Performing a massage with this oil helps:
- improve the general condition of the skin;
- even out complexion;
- make up for the lack of nutrition, remove peeling;
- get rid of rashes;
- accelerate the resorption of hematomas;
- improve metabolic processes in the skin.
If a stronger effect is required, an essential oil is used. It is added to masks or applied pointwise.
It helps get rid of:
- pediculosis;
- papillomas and warts;
- fungal diseases;
- dermatitis and dermatoses.
Before using cinnamon oil, it is worth visiting a dermatologist who will advise on exactly how to apply it.
Contraindications for use
With uncontrolled use of cinnamon in unlimited quantities, the taste sensitivity of the tongue may decrease. In addition, there are headaches and a feeling of weakness.
To avoid side effects, cinnamon is not used for several conditions.
These include:
- acute pathologies of the digestive system;
- having problems with blood clotting;
- the presence of allergies to food products, including spices;
- tendency to high blood pressure.
Cinnamon is not recommended for pregnant and lactating women. When carrying a child, it is able to increase the contractile activity of the uterus, which leads to premature birth. When breastfeeding, cinnamon is not consumed due to a change in the taste of milk under its influence. In this case, the child may even refuse to eat.
Cinnamon is widely used to treat and prevent various conditions, as well as to prolong youth and beauty. This plant is rich in active substances, but you should not take it yourself. Any therapy should be supervised by a specialist. This will help you achieve the best results without harming your health.
It turns out that spices can not only significantly improve the taste of our culinary masterpieces, but significantly reduce our volume, making the figure slimmer. Today we will talk about cinnamon and its ability to reduce weight.
Such a spice as cinnamon has been known all over the world for a long time. Even in the old days, it was used in folk medicine, cosmetology, cooking, and was also used as an air freshener. Today, it is increasingly used for weight loss, as it is believed that it has the ability to burn fat. For many of us, the very word “weight loss” causes a lot of unpleasant associations: hunger, a rigid diet, constant training in gyms, etc. But besides all this, there are simpler, and at the same time effective ways to reduce weight, while they are safe for the health of our body. In particular, this is the use of cinnamon. Nutritionists around the world recommend adding it to semolina and oatmeal, cottage cheese, coffee, tea, juice, milk, etc. It should be noted that any baking with cinnamon does not contribute to getting rid of extra pounds. This is due to the high content of fats and sugars in it, which, in fact, increase the calorie content of the product several times. And here no cinnamon will help.
Benefits of cinnamon for weight loss.
This spice has the ability to lower blood glucose levels, which is especially important for diabetics. It is high blood sugar that stimulates the formation of body fat. Eating just a quarter of a teaspoon of cinnamon daily will increase sugar metabolism by several times and prevent unwanted problems. In addition, this spice has a positive effect on the general condition of the body and the nervous system, increases vitality and energizes. It is also known for its properties to remove accumulated toxins and toxins from the body. The benefits of cinnamon for weight loss is that it dulls the feeling of hunger by reducing appetite. After all, the less we eat, the higher the chance to maintain your weight at the optimal level for you.
In addition, the use of cinnamon improves blood circulation, which is the prevention of the development of venous insufficiency. By adding it to milk, colds can be cured. The combination of cinnamon with honey helps to reduce cholesterol levels in the blood, is an excellent prophylactic against a heart attack, and strengthens the heart muscles. In addition, this combination inhibits the aging process of the body, perfectly cleanses the intestines, neutralizing the pathogenic flora and normalizing the digestive system.
The use of cinnamon for weight loss.
To maximize the benefits of cinnamon in the process of weight loss, two factors must be taken into account: the freshness and quality of the spice itself, which can be determined by aroma. Cinnamon for weight loss can be used not only in powder form, but also in the form of sticks. The powder should be stored for no more than six months, and the sticks for no more than a year in a dark place in a glass container.
Adding cinnamon to honey is also effective. This mixture can be smeared on bread (bran bread is suitable). You will get a wonderful and healthy breakfast, especially for the heart.
In order to achieve maximum results in the process of losing weight with cinnamon, you should follow some rules:
- for the preparation of the drink, unpasteurized (natural) honey is recommended, since it contains much more vitamins and beneficial enzymes;
- in no case do not add honey to hot water, this negates all its useful qualities;
- honey drink with cinnamon for weight loss should be drunk chilled, you do not need to warm it up.
Tea with cinnamon.
Daily fragrant spice can be added to your favorite tea. Taking into account your preferences (amount of tea leaves), brew green tea in a liter of boiling water. Add half a teaspoon of cinnamon and a tablespoon of lemon juice to it. The resulting drink should be divided into several doses and consumed throughout the day.
"Food for Models".
Mix 200 ml of kefir with half a teaspoon of cinnamon, the same amount of ginger, add a small amount of red pepper and stir well. Drink the resulting mixture. Such a drink speeds up the metabolism, which contributes to weight loss. The amount of pepper can be added as desired, but it cannot be completely excluded from the drink.
You can mix cinnamon and ginger in half a teaspoon and add the resulting mixture to tea. Such a drink also has an effect on the normalization of the functioning of the stomach and intestines, which is important in the process of weight loss.
Wraps with cinnamon.
Wrapping with this spice can reduce your volume by one centimeter in one session. Efficiency is achieved due to the fact that wraps with cinnamon help to remove toxins and excess fluid from the body, significantly improve lymph outflow, stimulate the enzymatic process, improving blood microcirculation.
Before the wrapping session, it is necessary to thoroughly cleanse the skin using a scrub or peeling. For the same purpose, you can use anti-cellulite cream. After that, already on clean skin on problem areas, apply the mixture for wrapping and wrap with cling film. Then you should lie down comfortably and wrap yourself in a blanket. In this position, you should rest for at least an hour. After the session, the mixture should be washed off, and for greater effectiveness, an anti-cellulite cream should be applied to the skin.
The mixture for wraps is prepared as follows: combine fifteen grams of any cosmetic clay with a small amount of warm water, add a cinnamon stick, a few drops of grapefruit or orange essential oil.
Cinnamon cocktails.
Such cocktails can even replace snacks. In addition to great taste, they also have benefits. For example, a pear cocktail with cinnamon: mix the pulp of half a pear with twenty grams of condensed milk, half a glass of milk, two teaspoons of lemon juice and add half a spoon of cinnamon. Mix all ingredients well.
Similar cocktails with cinnamon can be prepared from any fruit, combined with milk, oatmeal, sour cream, cocoa and other ingredients.
Contraindications.
Despite the benefits of cinnamon, its use has some contraindications. They mainly concern pregnant women, since cinnamon can cause uterine contractions, which can result in spontaneous abortion (miscarriage). You can not use cinnamon also for nursing mothers, in the presence of internal bleeding of various genesis, high blood pressure. Avoiding cinnamon is also recommended for people with individual intolerance or hypersensitivity to this spice. In addition, it should be borne in mind that an excessive amount of cinnamon in the diet can provoke a rapid heartbeat, as well as lead to increased excitability.
Everyone can choose for themselves their own version of the use of cinnamon. The main thing is that the effect will be amazing in any of them. The loss of a few extra pounds is guaranteed. And if you add sports and proper nutrition to the use of this miracle spice, then your figure will always be slim and fit.
Instructions for use:
The cinnamon tree belongs to the laurel family, and the spice cinnamon is the powdered or rolled bark of this tree. There are Malabar, Ceylon, Chinese cinnamon and cinnamon, which grows in the Moluccas. Ceylon cinnamon is the most valued.
Cinnamon is endowed with useful properties due to its essential oil, as well as magnesium, iron, calcium and other substances. The spice has an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, warming, antipyretic, diuretic, antitumor effect, stimulates the gallbladder, kidneys, liver, digestion, significantly increases efficiency, stimulates the nervous system and helps to cure depression, improving mood.
Application of cinnamon
The healing properties of cinnamon are recognized not only by non-traditional, but also by official medicine: medicines for colds and gastrointestinal diseases are prepared on the basis of essential oil, and warming ointments are produced. Essential oil of cinnamon can also be used as a separate preparation. It tones, relieves spasms, anesthetizes, has a cardiotonic, antiseptic effect. Cinnamon oil treats dyspepsia, flatulence, colitis, atony, colds, flu, relieves rheumatic pains, restores the menstrual cycle. It is also used in cosmetology - they remove fungus, warts, acne, papillomas from the skin.
It has been established that regular consumption of spices improves the absorption of sugar, lowers the level of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, so it is effective in diabetes. The approximate dosage is 0.5 teaspoon of seasoning per day.
Cinnamon is also used to stimulate brain activity, increase concentration, improve visual memory - if there are problems, this spice is recommended to be consumed in small quantities regularly. Another indication for the use of spices are tumors of the large intestine.
Special mention deserves such a useful property of cinnamon as the ability to lower blood pressure. Hypertensive patients are recommended to eat up to a teaspoon of cinnamon every day. It is recommended to divide this daily rate into four doses. If cinnamon in its pure form is poorly tolerated, you can add it to various dishes to reduce pressure: kefir, meat, cereals, yogurt, etc. The spice should be consumed in this way until the pressure stabilizes. At the same time, you can take other drugs to lower blood pressure.
Cinnamon is recommended for the elderly and debilitated people, as it has a tonic and warming effect.
Such properties of cinnamon as stimulating metabolism, cleansing the body of toxins and toxins, improving digestion and enhancing intestinal motility are used for weight loss. A cinnamon cocktail helps well: 0.5 tablespoons of cinnamon and ginger are added to a glass of kefir, a little crushed red pepper is added at the tip of a knife. Drinking a drink is recommended every evening instead of dinner. If it seems too spicy, you can remove the red pepper and increase the amount of cinnamon - up to 1 teaspoon. Contraindications to the use of a slimming cocktail with cinnamon are inflammation, ulcers, erosion of the gastrointestinal tract. Those who took this remedy, in addition to losing weight and improving bowel function, noted a decrease in appetite in the evening and the disappearance of a feeling of heaviness in the stomach. It is also known that you can speed up the metabolism, stimulating the process of losing weight, by seasoning any food allowed by the diet with cinnamon daily.
Contraindications to the use of cinnamon
The spice should not be eaten and externally with individual intolerance, as well as for pregnant women, because. it can cause uterine contractions. A contraindication to cinnamon is also the presence of any bleeding, low blood pressure and high fever.
