• Complementary and Alternative Medicine
• Nutrition

How Cinnamon Tea Benefits Blood Sugar and Heart Health

Although cinnamon is often recognized for its sweet smell, it offers much more than a delightful aroma in your kitchen. 

For centuries, cinnamon has been used in traditional medicine for its medicinal properties.

Some of the most compelling health benefits of cinnamon — especially in tea form — include its ability to help manage blood sugar and support cardiovascular health.

In this article, we’ll explore how cinnamon tea helps keep blood sugar levels stable and protects your heart.

What Types of Cinnamon are There?

The two primary types of cinnamon are ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) and cassia cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia). Although similar, there are a few differences between them.

Ceylon cinnamon — also referred to as true cinnamon — was originally harvested in Sri Lanka and southern India. It has a lighter, sweeter flavor and contains small amounts of coumarin (a naturally occurring compound commonly found in plants).

On the other hand, cassia cinnamon originated in parts of east and Southeast Asia including China, Indonesia, and Vietnam. It has a stronger, spicier flavor than ceylon cinnamon and contains higher levels of coumarin.

There are plenty of ways to enjoy cinnamon and its health benefits. Different methods to enjoy cinnamon are as follows:

• Cinnamon tea: The tea form of cinnamon made from cinnamon sticks or cinnamon powder and is often combined with other spices or herbs.

• Cinnamon powder: Made from dried cinnamon sticks, cinnamon powder is commonly used for baking or adding to foods.

• Ground cinnamon: Another term for cinnamon powder, ground cinnamon is made by finely grinding cinnamon sticks. It is often added to different recipes, especially pastries and desserts in the U.S.

• Cinnamon extract: This is a concentrated form of cinnamon made by soaking cinnamon bark in alcohol or another solvent to extract essential oils and beneficial compounds.

The Benefits of Drinking Cinnamon Tea

Two of the main benefits of the compounds in cinnamon tea are its ability to help with blood sugar regulation and maintaining cardiovascular health. However, there are still other health benefits that come with drinking cinnamon tea.

Lowering blood sugar levels

Insulin is a hormone that allows glucose (sugar) to enter cells and produce energy for the body. In people with insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes, the body’s cells become less responsive to insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar levels.

Cinnamon tea contains compounds like cinnamaldehyde and polyphenols, which have been shown to improve insulin sensitivity. By increasing the body’s sensitivity to insulin, cinnamon allows glucose to enter cells more efficiently and lower blood sugar levels. 

This prevents blood sugar spikes and reduces the risk of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar).

Slowing the breakdown of carbohydrates

Cinnamon tea helps reduce blood sugar spikes after meals by slowing the breakdown of carbohydrates into glucose. When carbohydrates are broken down too quickly, blood sugar levels can rise rapidly. 

Compounds in cinnamon tea promote a more gradual release of sugar into the bloodstream. This leads to more stable blood sugar levels, which can be especially beneficial for those with diabetes.

Aiding in digestion

Gastric emptying refers to how quickly food moves from the stomach to the small intestine. Once food reaches the small intestine, it’s further digested and absorbed. 

Cinnamon may slow the rate of gastric emptying which may help prevent blood sugar levels from spiking.

Maintains blood sugar levels

Drinking cinnamon tea may also help reduce fasting blood sugar levels — the blood sugar levels measured after an overnight fast. 

The compounds in cinnamon may improve metabolic functions and help the body maintain stable blood sugar levels even when you’re not eating.

People who drink cinnamon tea may experience increased glucose uptake into cells — even without food — likely due to its effects on enhancing insulin sensitivity and stimulating glucose transporter activity.

By lowering fasting blood sugar levels, cinnamon tea may be useful for people managing diabetes or prediabetes.

Heart health benefits of cinnamon tea

Cinnamon tea offers many heart health benefits thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, the presence of antioxidants, and the potential to help keep cholesterol levels low. 

Here are the main ways in which cinnamon tea can support heart health: 

Lowers bad cholesterol

Cinnamon tea may help reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels, also known as bad cholesterol and triglycerides. 

Elevated levels of LDL and triglycerides are linked to plaque buildup in the arteries, which can increase the risk of heart conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, and heart disease.

Compounds in cinnamon reduce the amount of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in the bloodstream while potentially increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol the body needs to remove excess LDL from the body.

Reduces blood pressure

Regular consumption of cinnamon tea may help lower blood pressure. High blood pressure is a significant risk factor for heart disease, Hypertension (high blood pressure) as it can damage the arteries over time, potentially leading to heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular complications.

The natural compounds in cinnamon may help relax blood vessels, enhance blood flow, and overall reduce stress on the heart. All of these factors can contribute to lowering blood pressure levels.

Provides anti-inflammatory effects

Chronic inflammation is a major factor in the development of heart disease, as it can damage blood vessels and accelerate plaque buildup in the arteries. 

Anti-inflammatory properties in cinnamon tea help reduce inflammation throughout the body, including the cardiovascular system.

Prevents inflammation

Cinnamon tea is packed with antioxidants — including polyphenols — which help protect the heart by neutralizing free radicals. 

Free radicals are molecules that can cause oxidative stress in the body. Oxidative stress leads to cell and tissue damage and can increase the risk of developing chronic cardiovascular health conditions.

Other Health Benefits of Cinnamon Tea

Aside from blood sugar regulation and heart health, cinnamon tea offers a range of other benefits. Some of these include:

• Supports digestive health: It can soothe digestive issues like indigestion, bloating, and gas. It may also stimulate digestion by encouraging the production of digestive enzymes and bile to help break down food more efficiently.

• Boosts immune system: Cinnamon tea has antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral properties that can help the body fight off infections. Regular consumption of cinnamon tea may strengthen the immune system by inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria.

• May aid in weight loss: It may help with weight management by promoting better blood sugar control, which can reduce cravings and promote feelings of fullness. It may also boost metabolism by improving the body’s ability to process carbohydrates and fats.

• Improves brain function: This tea may inhibit the buildup of proteins in the brain linked to Alzheimer’s disease. Cinnamon’s antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties may protect brain cells from oxidative damage and inflammation, improving memory, focus, and cognitive function.

• Supports skin health: Cinnamon tea may improve skin health thanks to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Drinking cinnamon tea or applying it topically may help reduce acne, skin irritation, and infections.

• Reduces menstrual pain: Its anti-inflammatory effects may help alleviate menstrual cramps and other symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Women may experience reduced pain, lighter bleeding, and overall relief during their menstrual cycle while drinking cinnamon tea.

• Helps manage allergies: Cinnamon may have anti-allergic properties, which can potentially reduce allergic reactions by suppressing the release of histamines.

• May relieve cold and flu symptoms: This tea is often used as a natural remedy to ease cold and flu symptoms. Its warming effects can help soothe a sore throat, and its antimicrobial properties could help combat viruses that cause respiratory infections.

• Relief from nausea: Cinnamon tea is sometimes used to relieve nausea, including morning sickness. Its soothing and warming properties may also help reduce digestive issues.

Where Can I Learn More About My Health?

Through LifeMD, you can connect with a licensed healthcare provider who can help you find ways to improve your nutrition and overall heart health.

Make your appointment today to speak with a healthcare provider about more ways to improve your heart health.

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