Honey and Cinnamon: Is It Good for You? (2024)

Honey and cinnamon make for a popular flavor pairing. Both naturally sweet, honey and cinnamon are often included together in recipes for baked goods, oatmeal, tea, and even meat.

While honey and cinnamon have been used separately for medicinal purposes, some believe that combining the two boosts their medicinal properties. The combination has been used in oriental and Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. Honey and cinnamon together have been said to help:

  • Arthritis
  • Cancer symptoms
  • Hair loss
  • Bladder infections
  • Toothaches
  • Pimples
  • High cholesterol levels
  • The common cold
  • Upset stomach / indigestion
  • Immune system
  • Heart disease
  • Weight loss
  • Fatigue
  • Bad Breath
  • Hearing loss

In this guide, we’ll take a look at what science has to say about the benefits, and potential risks, of combining honey and cinnamon.

Nutrition Information

To understand how honey and cinnamon might work together for your health, it’s first important to understand the nutritional profile of each ingredient individually.

One tablespoon of honey contains:

  • Calories: 64
  • Fat: 0 grams
  • Cholesterol: 0 milligrams
  • Sodium: 1 milligram
  • Carbohydrates: 17 grams
  • Fiber: 0 grams
  • Sugar: 17 grams
  • Protein: 0 grams

One teaspoon of ground cinnamon contains:

  • Calories: 6
  • Fat: 0 grams
  • Cholesterol: 0 milligrams
  • Sodium: 0 milligram
  • Carbohydrates: 2 grams
  • Fiber: 1 grams
  • Sugar: 0 grams
  • Protein: 0 grams

Cinnamon is also a significant source of calcium and iron. Two teaspoons of cinnamon contain:

  • 5% of daily recommended intake (DRI) of calcium
  • 2% DRI of iron
  • 40% DRI of manganese
  • 10% DRI of fiber

Potential Health Benefits of Honey and Cinnamon

Considering that both honey and cinnamon have health benefits individually, it is unsurprising that they are also helpful when paired. The extent of these benefits is still being researched. Here are some of the benefits of honey and cinnamon that scientists have discovered.

Reduce Risk of Heart Disease

Individually, both honey and cinnamon may lower risks of developing heart disease.Honey has been shown to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels by 6%, triglyceride levels by 11%, and potentially boost HDL (good) cholesterol levels.

Cinnamon, in turn, has been shown to reduce total cholesterol levels.

Since high cholesterol is linked to an increased risk of developing heart disease, the cholesterol-reducing effects of both honey and cinnamon together may reduce your risk of developing heart disease.

Heal Wounds

Honey has been shown to help heal wounds, including foot ulcers caused as a complication of diabetes.

Cinnamon may also help heal wounds. A test-tube study found that cinnamon oil helped protect wounds against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. However, further studies are needed to determine whether these effects would be helpful outside of a lab.

Arthritis Treatment

A study at Copenhagen University found that giving patients a mixture of honey and cinnamon before breakfast helped to relieve the pain associated with arthritis. Within a week 73 out of 200 patients were relieved of pain. After one month of treatment patients who could previously not walk or move around were able to move without pain.

Cure for Bladder Infections

Studies have shown that a mixture of honey and cinnamon can kill germs in the bladder. If you’re suffering from a bladder infection, a mixture of honey and cinnamon may provide a cure.

Potential Risks of Honey and Cinnamon

Always check with your doctor before using honey and cinnamon to treat a known medical condition.Although there are no known adverse effects of combining honey and cinnamon, it’s important to be aware of potential risks they pose separately:

Toxic Exposure

The majority of the world’s cinnamon is produced in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, China, Vietnam, and Burma. Recent studies have shown that cinnamon sold in retail stores contain high levels of coumarin and other toxic elements. Eating large amounts of coumarin has been associated with an increased risk of the development of cancerous tumors.

High Sugar Intake

Honey contains high amounts of sugar. A diet high in sugar can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease.

Honey and Cinnamon: Is It Good for You? (2024)

FAQs

Honey and Cinnamon: Is It Good for You? ›

Individually, both honey and cinnamon may lower risks of developing heart disease. Honey has been shown to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels by 6%, triglyceride levels by 11%, and potentially boost HDL (good) cholesterol levels. Cinnamon, in turn, has been shown to reduce total cholesterol levels.

How often should you take honey and cinnamon? ›

As far as recommended daily dosages of either one, experts recommend consuming no more than a tablespoon of honey or one-quarter to about 1.25 teaspoons of cassia daily (there are no human studies available yet for optimal dosing with Ceylon cinnamon).

How much honey and cinnamon do you mix together? ›

For generations, cinnamon and honey have been mixed together to make a homemade cure for the common cold, sore throats, allergies, and other minor ailments. Used in Traditional Persian Medicine and Ayurvedic medicine, the basic recipe is simple: Mix 1 part cinnamon into 4 parts honey.

Can cinnamon and honey reduce belly fat? ›

Honey and cinnamon are popular foods with proven health benefits. However, currently, there is no evidence that either ingredient helps with weight loss. The most effective strategy is to maintain a healthful diet and get regular exercise.

What does cinnamon and honey do for the brain? ›

It influences factors like insulin sensitivity and blood flow, ensuring smooth communication between neurons. This improved communication translates to better memory, focus, and overall cognitive function. Cinnamaldehyde might also help combat an enemy called amyloid plaque.

What does cinnamon and honey do to your body? ›

Individually, both honey and cinnamon may lower risks of developing heart disease. Honey has been shown to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels by 6%, triglyceride levels by 11%, and potentially boost HDL (good) cholesterol levels. Cinnamon, in turn, has been shown to reduce total cholesterol levels.

What does drinking hot water with honey and cinnamon do? ›

Along with metabolic health, this drink can also boost your gut health and digestive health. Honey contains enzymes which can soother your gut and better the digestion process. And, cinnamon is known to help boost the growth of good bacteria in the gut.

Do cinnamon and honey lower blood pressure? ›

The antioxidant compounds that are present in pure honey and cinnamon are closely linked to lower blood pressure.

Can I drink cinnamon and honey at night? ›

How To Use: Mix 1 teaspoon of honey with ½ teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Have the mixture at night before going to bed and in the morning on an empty stomach. Repeat regularly. If the cinnamon is causing problems, you can use a simple mixture of honey and water.

Should I drink cinnamon water at night or in the morning? ›

Cinnamon water can also be consumed a few hours before going to bed to ensure better metabolic rate.

How can I reduce my tummy in 7 days? ›

Reducing Stomach Fat in 1 Week
  1. Eat lean protein, fruits, and vegetables at every meal.
  2. Replace less healthy fats, like butter, with monounsaturated fats, like olive oil.
  3. Drink at least 8 glasses of water each day.
  4. Do 30 minutes of cardio exercise each day.
  5. Avoid consuming sugary or high-fat foods and alcohol.

What do cinnamon and honey do to your face? ›

Both cinnamon and honey have strong antibacterial properties. Raw honey is also considered an effective way to treat a number of skin diseases such as sores, skin fungus, eczema, psoriasis, burns thanks to its strong antibacterial properties.

What does apple cider vinegar honey and cinnamon do? ›

A mixture of apple cider vinegar with a variety of spices and juices (e.g., cinnamon, honey, ginger, cayenne pepper, lemon juice), this cleanse has been sweeping the internet as a beneficial cure-all to help you lose weight, lower your cholesterol and blood pressure, control your blood sugar, boost your immune system, ...

What does cinnamon do for your heart? ›

Cinnamon is especially great for people who have high blood sugar. It lends a sweet taste to food without adding sugar, and studies indicate it can lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Cinnamon may also provide heart-healthy benefits, such as reducing high blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Is cinnamon good for memory? ›

The main outcome of most studies (n = 40) proved that cinnamon significantly improves cognitive function (memory and learning). In vivo studies showed that using cinnamon or its components, such as eugenol, cinnamaldehyde, and cinnamic acid, could positively alter cognitive function.

Which spice is better for your memory? ›

Perhaps the most common spice on the list, black pepper contains piperine, a compound that improves memory and cognitive function by increasing neurotransmitter activity in the brain. Piperine has also been shown to aid the body's absorption of other nutrients, from both food and supplemental sources.

How many times a week should you use a honey and cinnamon mask? ›

Applying a skin-clearing treatment mask, such as a honey and cinnamon mask, once or twice a week.

What does a tablespoon of honey and cinnamon do? ›

Honey and cinnamon are two superfoods that can help boost immunity, fight allergies and diabetes, promote detoxification, and fight UTIs. They are also beneficial for skin, cardiovascular, cognitive and dental health.

Can I take honey and cinnamon before bedtime? ›

Yes, you can mix honey and cinnamon in water to drink before bed. This combination is often consumed as a natural remedy to promote sleep and improve overall health. Cinnamon is a spice that has been used for centuries in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

How long does it take for cinnamon to work in your body? ›

If you take supplements with at least 1.5 grams of cinnamon a day, it may lower your total cholesterol, LDL (or bad) cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood sugar if you have metabolic disease. It may also lower blood pressure if you consistently take it for 7 weeks.

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