Cinnamon is one of the most common spices in the kitchen, but where does this come from? For centuries, it has been used in different cultures as a part of natural health care.
Originally from Sri Lanka, this spice has played an important role in traditional systems like Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, where it is related to better digestion, more energy and general balance of the body.
Today, science is finally staring to confirm some of those ideas. A 2025 clinical study, where 786 people participated for 12 weeks, found out that having cinnamon regularly (with a balanced alimentation), helped reduce abdominal fat and improved several health indicators. In average, the participants lost weight, reduced waist centimetres, lowers their body Mass Index (BMI). All of this thanks to this pretty common spice.
What Cinnamon does in the body
Cinnamon it is obtained from the bark of a tree, and the varieties of Sri Lanka are specially appreciated because of its quality. In Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, it’s considered a spice that “heat” and helps moving energy and improve circulation.
From the more modern point of view though, it’s know that cinnamon is rich in antioxidants, and that it helps protect cells against damage caused by oxidative stress, which is one of the factors that adds to aging and some diseases. It also has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects, which makes it a soft ally for the body.
However, as any other food, having it in excess quantities is not good either. Specialists usually recommend about two spoons a day or a little piece of the branch. That dosis is usually safe for most of people and can be manageable in daily routine by sprinkle it on fruit, oats, yogurt, desserts, or in coffee and infusions.
Blood sugar, energy and abdominal fat
Many studies show that cinnamon improves insulin sensitivity, by using the insulin better and processing glucose in a more effective way.
This is important because a good insulin sensitivity helps prevent sugar peaks, low energy and, in the long term, can support the prevention of Type 2 diabetes. In the study, people who had cinnamon for some time, not only lost weight and Body Mass Index (BMI), but they also showed a better relation in parameters connected to metabolism.
Nutritionist Laura Espinosa explains that daily amounts of this spice can actually make a difference ins someone’s life. According to her, adding half a tea spoon of cinnamon a day to your diet, as a part of a healthy alimentation, can help you keep more stable glucose levels, which can result in less cravings for sweets, more constant energy and less fat accumulation in the abdominal area.
Antioxidants add benefits too: they protect body cells against internal and external damage, which is something that’s quite important for taking care of organs, skin and cardiovascular system.
A small gesture, a real support
This is not going to become the next “eat it for 5 days and loose 10 pounds” trick. It helps with BMI and insulin control, but is not magic. Even in Ayurveda or Chinese Medicine, is seen as a complement, not a miracle solution.
Many people consume it already just for the taste, because it can make something feel sweet without having to add sugar, or make you feel warm and cozy on a cold day. But if you want to add it to you daily routine for that little push, don’t forget that, as any other tool for a healthy metabolism, you still have to mix it with some good sleep, enough water and a little exercises if you want to see some good results.