Green tea, celebrated for its potent antioxidant properties stemming from its high concentration of polyphenols, joins forces with cinnamon, a spice revered for its medicinal benefits and rich antioxidant profile, to create a beverage that is as beneficial as it is delicious. This combination extends beyond mere flavor, offering a synergistic blend of health benefits.
The Potent Duo: Green Tea and Cinnamon
Green tea boasts a range of health benefits, including stabilizing blood sugar levels, potentially preventing diabetes, aiding in cancer prevention, lowering the risk of heart disease, improving liver health, assisting in weight loss, reducing inflammation, boosting the immune system, and promoting brain function. Cinnamon, on the other hand, is a great source of calcium and antioxidants, contains anti-inflammatory properties, improves heart health, fights diabetes, protects brain function, lowers cancer risk, and can combat allergies. When combined, these ingredients create a drink with increased health benefits.
Aromatic Energizer: Green Tea with Hibiscus, Cinnamon, and Clove
A vibrant blend of whole-leaf green tea, hibiscus, cinnamon, and clove is crafted to energize the body and refresh the mind. This infusion combines the fruity zest of hibiscus with the warmth of cinnamon and clove to create a cup that’s both refreshing and restorative. Rich in antioxidants and natural acids, hibiscus is celebrated for promoting heart health and metabolic balance, while cinnamon and clove lend comfort, aiding digestion and circulation. This tea offers a refreshing balance of tangy hibiscus, warm cinnamon, and aromatic clove, rounded by the freshness of green tea.
The Science Behind the Benefits
Antioxidant Powerhouse
Cinnamon tea is loaded with antioxidants, beneficial compounds that help keep you healthy. Antioxidants fight off oxidation caused by free radicals, which are molecules that damage your cells and contribute to diseases like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Cinnamon is particularly rich in polyphenol antioxidants. A study comparing the antioxidant activity of 26 spices reported that cinnamon is only outranked by cloves and oregano. Research shows that cinnamon tea can increase total antioxidant capacity (TAC), which is a measure of the amount of free radicals your body can fight off.
Both cinnamon and turmeric are proven to be rich in antioxidants, which can boost the overall antioxidant content of your green tea, helping to combat oxidative stress and protect your cells.
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Inflammation Reduction and Heart Health
Test-tube studies suggest that compounds in cinnamon may reduce markers of inflammation. This may be immensely beneficial, given that inflammation is thought to be at the root of many chronic diseases, including heart disease. Studies also report that cinnamon may reduce blood pressure, as well as triglyceride and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels in some individuals. What’s more, cinnamon may increase levels of HDL (good) cholesterol, which helps improve your heart health by removing excess cholesterol from your blood vessels. A review of 10 studies found that consuming as little as 120 mg of cinnamon - less than a 1/10 teaspoon - each day may be sufficient to help you reap these benefits.
As per studies, turmeric is rich in curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory compound, while cinnamon also has anti-inflammatory properties. Together, they can help reduce inflammation in the body, promoting better health. Cinnamon can reduce cholesterol levels and triglycerides, contributing to overall cardiovascular health. It is said that curcumin can improve the function of the endothelium, which regulates blood pressure and blood clotting.
Blood Sugar Regulation
This spice appears to act in a manner similar to that of insulin, the hormone responsible for shuttling sugar out of your bloodstream and into your tissues. Compounds found in cinnamon may further contribute to lower blood sugar levels by lowering insulin resistance, thereby increasing insulin’s effectiveness. Cinnamon may also help slow the breakdown of carbs in your gut, preventing your blood sugar levels from spiking after meals. Most studies observed benefits when people took concentrated doses ranging from 120 mg to 6 grams of powdered cinnamon. However, there’s evidence that cinnamon tea may also offer blood-sugar-reducing benefits.
As per experts, cinnamon helps regulate blood sugar levels and enhance insulin sensitivity, while turmeric can support metabolic processes. By stabilizing blood sugar levels, cinnamon may aid in weight management.
Weight Management Potential
Cinnamon tea is often touted to help with weight loss, and several studies have linked cinnamon intake to fat loss or reductions in waist circumference. The combination of cinnamon and turmeric with green tea is called a golden combination for weight loss. However, few of these studies have properly controlled for calorie intake, and most have failed to distinguish between fat loss and muscle loss. This makes it difficult to attribute the weight loss effects to cinnamon alone.
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Fighting Bacteria and Fungi
Cinnamon has some potent antibacterial and antifungal properties. For instance, test-tube research shows that cinnamaldehyde, the main active component in cinnamon, prevents the growth of various bacteria, fungi, and molds. These include common Staphylococcus, Salmonella,and E.coli bacteria, which can cause illness in humans. In addition, cinnamon’s antibacterial effects may help reduce bad breath and prevent tooth decay.
Cinnamon has natural antimicrobial and antifungal properties, which can help combat infections and improve oral health.
Alleviating Menstrual Discomfort
Cinnamon tea may help make some menstrual symptoms, such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and dysmenorrhea, more bearable. One well-controlled study provided women with 3 grams of cinnamon or a placebo each day for the first 3 days of their menstrual cycle. The women in the cinnamon group experienced significantly less menstrual pain than those given the placebo. There’s also evidence that cinnamon may reduce menstrual bleeding, vomiting frequency, and nausea severity during women’s periods.
Additional Potential Benefits
Cinnamon tea is touted to offer several additional benefits, including:
- May fight skin aging. Studies show that cinnamon may promote collagen formation and increase skin elasticity and hydration - all of which may reduce the appearance of aging.
- May have anticancer properties. Test-tube research has observed that cinnamon extracts may help kill certain types of cancer cells, including skin cancer cells. Also, research indicates that curcumin may help prevent the growth of certain types of cancer cells.
- May help preserve brain function. Test-tube and animal research suggests that cinnamon may protect brain cells from Alzheimer’s disease and improve motor function in those with Parkinson’s disease. Curcumin may enhance cognitive function and reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases by promoting brain health.
- May help fight HIV. Test-tube studies report that cinnamon extracts may help fight the most common strain of the HIV virus in humans.
- May reduce acne. Test-tube research suggests that cinnamon extracts can fight bacteria that cause acne.
- Good for joints. Turmeric is rich in anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it beneficial for joint health and may help alleviate joint pain.
- Boost liver health. Turmeric is proven to support liver function and detoxification processes, potentially protecting against liver damage.
- Wound healing. Turmeric can speed up the healing process of wounds and cuts due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
Green Tea, Cinnamon, and Turmeric: a Power Trio
Incorporating cinnamon and turmeric into green tea can significantly aid weight loss and boost immune function. Both spices are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, which enhance metabolic rate, support digestive health, and combat illnesses like flu, cough, and cold. This combination is said to enhance immunity and boost overall metabolism too.
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Brewing Your Own Cup of Wellness
Simple Cinnamon Tea Recipe
Cinnamon tea is incredibly easy to make and incorporate into your diet. You can drink it warm, or cool it to make homemade iced tea. The easiest way to make this beverage is to simply add 1 teaspoon (2.6 grams) of ground cinnamon to 1 cup (235 ml) of boiled water and stir. You can also make cinnamon tea by steeping a cinnamon stick in boiling water for 10-15 minutes. Alternatively, cinnamon tea bags can be found online or at your local supermarket or health food store. They’re a convenient option when you’re short on time. Cinnamon tea is naturally caffeine-free, so it can be enjoyed anytime throughout the day. However, if you’re specifically interested in its blood-sugar-lowering effects, it may be most effective to consume it with your meals. If you’re currently taking blood-sugar-lowering medication, it’s best to consult your healthcare provider before adding cinnamon tea to your routine.
Cinnamon Turmeric Green Tea Recipe
Ingredients required: 1 tea bag of green tea, 1 small cinnamon stick, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder and a glass of water
Step 1: Boil water in a saucepan.
Step 2: Add a tea bag to it along with turmeric powder or grated raw turmeric. Bring it to a boil
Step 3: Next, add cinnamon sticks and let the aroma infuse in the tea.
Cinnamon Turmeric Iced Tea Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1-2 tsp. green looseleaf tea (or a tea bag)
- 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp. turmeric
- 1 tsp. honey, or any type of sweetener you’d like
- lemon slices, optional
Instructions:
Add the tea, cinnamon, turmeric, and sweetener to the bottom of a French press. Or, if using a tea bag, heat up a cup of water and add the tea bag to the water. Let steep for a few minutes, then stir in the other ingredients. Add hot water to about the halfway point of the French press and let steep for 3-5 minutes, stirring once, then press. Let the mixture cool off, and then add ice cubes to your cup. Don’t forget to add the lemon slice, if desired. If you want to boost the absorption of the turmeric, add a pinch of black pepper.
Ginger Cinnamon Tea Recipe
Served hot or iced, this green tea contains cinnamon and ginger with a touch of mint for a refreshing taste. Naturally sweetened with apple juice, this tea is a great alternative to sugar-filled teas.
Makes 6 servings.
Per serving: 40 calories, 0 g total fat (0 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 11 g carbohydrates, 0 g protein, 0 g dietary fiber, 0 mg sodium, 10 g sugar, 0 g added sugar.
Directions:
Place mint, cinnamon sticks and ginger in large saucepan. Add water, cover pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Add tea bags and steep 5 minutes. Remove tea bags, mint, ginger and cinnamon sticks, reserving sticks. Sweeten hot tea to taste with apple juice. Pour into mugs, add cinnamon sticks for garnish and serve.
Considerations
While cinnamon tea and green tea offer numerous potential benefits, it's important to consume cinnamon in moderation due to the coumarin content, especially in Cassia cinnamon. Excess intake of coumarins may reduce liver function and increase the risk of bleeding.