Can cinnamon lower blood sugar?
The short answer is Yes.
Studies have shown several benefits of consuming cinnamon including:
- Decreased oxidative stress
- Improved blood lipids (cholesterol)
- Improved blood glucose
- Improved insulin sensitivity
You can read more about the benefits over here.
There are many ways we can include more cinnamon in our daily routines, including adding it to desserts or smoothies, and of course in tea. So today I’ve got some super simple instructions on how to make cinnamon tea, and some great alternatives you can use to give your cinnamon tea a twist.
Benefits Of Cinnamon Tea
Organic Authority says: “Chinese medicine and Ayurveda have long revered cinnamon as a superpower used to treat things such as colds, indigestion and cramps and also believed to improve energy, vitality and circulation”.
- It’s a powerful antioxidant
- A potent anti-inflammatory agent
- It can help lower cholesterol
- It contains anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties
- And cinnamon has loads of benefits for type 2 diabetes!
How To Make Cinnamon Tea
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Making pure cinnamon tea really couldn’t be easier.
Roughly break up 1 cinnamon stick into a small pot, add 3 cups water, bring to the boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 20 minutes. That’s it!
Pour the tea into a tea pot and serve. The pure cinnamon tastes sweet enough and you can drink it straight. This may sound strange but cinnamon has a naturally sweet flavor all on it’s own.
Of course you can add just a drop of liquid stevia extract if you really need a bit of extra sweetness, and I’ve also got some more recipe alterations to try below.
Just one more tip: Leave the cinnamon stick soaking in a little of the water and you can just keep adding extra water, bring it back up to the simmer for 5 minutes, and drink again.
You can do this for a few rounds to get the most out of each cinnamon stick.
Recipe #1: Lemon Ginger Cinnamon Tea
Add 1/2 small squeezed lemon (so the juice), 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated ginger, and a few drops liquid stevia extract for a spicy tea that is helpful for colds and flu, and also helps to boost metabolism.
Recipe #2: Cinnamon Chai Dandelion Latte
Dandelion is a fantastic liver detox herb, so combined with cinnamon and the wonderful aromas and benefits of cloves, cardamom, and cloves, this tea is a great addition to your menu.
Here’s how to make it.
Add the following ingredients to a small saucepan.
- 2 roasted dandelion root tea bags
- 1 cinnamon stick, broken into pieces
- 3-4 cardamom pods, crushed (or use scissors to cut them up)
- 1/2 teaspoon whole cloves
- 1/2-inch piece of fresh ginger, thinly sliced
- 5 cups water
Bring to the boil, then simmer for 10-20 minutes on low. Add milk or coconut milk to the pan, enough to your taste – meaning if you like it stronger, don’t add so much milk. Add a few drops of liquid stevia extract for sweetness, then serve into mugs and enjoy.
Can be reheated over a low heat.
Recipe #3: Cinnamon Turmeric Green Tea
Green tea and both cinnamon and turmeric have powerful anti-inflammatory properties, so drinking them all together triples the potent effect and helps reduce the inflammation associated with diabetes.
Place a green tea bag into a cup along with 1/2 stick cinnamon and a pinch of ground turmeric, leave for a few minutes and then drink away. Optionally add a twist of lemon. You can reuse the cinnamon stick 4-5 times.
Recipe #4: Cinnamon Ceylon Tea
Do the same as you did with the green tea above, just add the half stick cinnamon directly to the cup along with your regular tea bag. And for a cheats version, add 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon directly to the cup instead.
Recipe #5: Pure Cinnamon Tea
Simply stick with the original recipe above and drink it in it’s pure form. Drink it hot, or…put it on ice and drink it cold, it still tastes fantastic!
Whatever way you choose to drink it, cinnamon tea definitely makes a great beverage, and adds plenty of health benefits that can help diabetes too.
Give it a try and see if you like it.
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Lydia Douglas
Has anyone had their testing yet to see how this really reacted besides their monitor?
Linda
Hello Jedha and Elizabeth
I just wank to thank you from my heart ❤️ I came across your site yesterday and it’s been an honour to learn so much. I am so interested in all this wonderful knowledge and it’s opened my mind to the new possibilities of becoming well. Your hard work has given me a great gift and although I’m a widow with nothing much to give you in return all I can say is goodness upon goodness will come back to you tenfold. ❤️️
Jedha
Thank you for your kind words Linda and so happy you find our info helpful – we’re glad to have you here!
Maria Guerra
How much cinnamon tea should you drink per day? I don’t like hot tea so I keep this in the fridge and drink it cold. Is it still effective that way?
Jedha
There is no actual data on that Maria, but 1-3 cups per day seems good. And either hot or cold is fine!
Ron Blizzard
what about Berberine it is supposed to help take place of Metformin according to Dr. Whitaker?
Jedha
Yes that’s correct Ron. Studies have shown it to help control blood sugar levels almost as effectively as metformin. We have an article reviewing the research coming soon to the blog so look out for it.
Aban
I take Metformin 750 mg once a day. Can I also have the cinnamon tea?
Also is it to be taken 1x 2x 3x times? I mean how much is safe to take? Will
definitely look at your meal plans. It is difficult to find recipes…especially Indian recipes!
Jedha
There are no known side effects of drinking cinnamon tea that I am aware of. In saying that, individual people can react to almost anything – even seemingly healthy foods. You should always be aware when you add new foods and beverages so you can monitor any effects. In general though, you can enjoy this tea a once or thrice per day, that is up to you.
Tracy
Hello again. Sorry my question was confusing. I was wondering for any food that we eat, what would you recommend the sugar maximum read on the food label? Or for fresh vegetables or fruit? Thank you for your help. I’ve been reading a lot of your blogs, etc. I’ve learned a lot.
Jedha
There is no maximum per food rate because your blood sugar levels and A1C depend on the total amount and type of carbs you eat. On food labels it has carbs and sugar. Sugar is not a reflection of “added sugar,” but can also be natural sugar in foods too. So the best measure is the carbohydrate content and also the QUALITY of the food. A packaged food with 49 ingredients may have a lower carb content but with 49 ingredients it is a highly processed food – not good for your health. Non-starchy fresh vegetables are the best type of carb to eat and low carb fruits are best.
It can be difficult to get your head around but once you get to know how many carbs certain foods have, you’ll find managing your overall intake easier. Hope that helps and let us know if you have more questions. We’re always happy to help.
Susan
Wow! I just brewed up a batch of Cinnamon tea, with a drop of liquid Stevia. This is going to be my go-to tea for a while. I’m also going to share with anybody who will Have a cup with me. i might put the tea in a cute bottle with a pretty ribbon for valentine’s day and give for gifts. i can’t believe it tastes soooo good aND is so good for you. Think I’m addicted. I broke up the cinnamon stick just enough to put in my nut/seed grinder. That worked well, then strained through fine mesh. Simple, easy recipe. : – D
Jedha
Awesome Susan. Yes, it is delicious 🙂
Sundari
When we have to drink this cinnamon tea. Before breakfast in the empty stomach ? Pls advise
Jedha
Anytime you like Sundari
Barbara
This sounds delicious. I find cinnamon sweet,and add ground cinnamon on my cereals,then I don’t need sugar. Great for everything ,. Will pass this on to my friends too ,thanks
windy
Have you gotten a book of recipes and menues for diabetes. I”m having a hard time finding anything good on the market. Thank you.
Jedha
You can find all our meal plans, menus/eCookbooks and programs over here Windy.
Barbara
Try the net and libbyditchthecarbs is a great program. I’m doing great with it and this one together.
Adrienne
Can you use ground cinnamon in lieu of sticks?
Jedha
It won’t work the same but you can add ground cinnamon to teas as well.
Robert K Tompsett
Off to the store to buy cinnamon sticks.
Jedha
Enjoy 🙂
Susan
Sometimes I break up a cinnamon stick and add it to the grounds when I make my coffee. I’m going to try these teas as well. Thanks for all the good info.
Jedha
Yum, that sounds like a great way to add it Susan. Love cinnamon 🙂
Mel
Thanks I will try this one.
Jedha
Enjoy 🙂
P
I like what I see. Your explanations seem to be short and straightforward.
Jedha
Glad you like it P 🙂