Winter, the season of sneezing, coughing, and curling up in bed, is here. This is the time when cravings for warm drinks hit quite hard, and you can’t gulp down five cups of chai every day. This is where cinnamon water comes in: it’s warm (can be consumed cold if you like), tasty, easy to make, and healthy. But there’s something which makes cinnamon water a hero, especially in winter. Here’s why you need to start consuming it (in moderation) in this cold weather.

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1. Helps with weight loss

One of the best things about winter is that you get to stay in bed every second of your free time. But the worst thing is you miss gym sessions and your after-dinner walks, which is why cinnamon water is a great alternative. Consuming cinnamon water regularly helps in losing weight. It improves your metabolism and digestion, controls appetite, and regulates your blood sugar levels. So, if you start every winter day with cinnamon water, you might see a little difference on the weighing scale before the season ends.

2. Reduces inflammation

Cinnamon is anti-inflammatory, which means it reduces swelling in your body. If you have sinusitis or suffer from a puffy face and body inflammation, cinnamon water makes for an excellent drink to add to your diet.

3. Can cure brain rot

When we are curled up in our bed every moment, we all know what we are doing — causing brain rot by scrolling mindlessly on social media. However, cinnamon water helps with that, too. Cinnamon helps with cognitive function by improving your memory and your ability to concentrate on a task. The antioxidants in cinnamon protect the brain cells from oxidative stress, which also protects you from neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

4. Improves skin health

The antioxidants in cinnamon help fight free radicals (those sneaky elements that damage your skin), which can cause premature ageing. Cinnamon’s anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties keep acne and fungal infections at bay, giving you clean and glowing skin.

5. Makes your heart healthy

Heart issues are becoming common in all age groups, which is why a healthy heart needs to be your priority. Adding cinnamon water to your routine can help in reaching this goal. Cinnamon reduces cholesterol levels in your body and improves blood circulation, reducing the chances of cardiovascular issues.

6. Eases period pain

Cinnamon water works as a natural pain-reliever when it comes to period cramps. Cinnamon contains cinnamaldehyde, which has anti-spasmodic properties, meaning it eases cramps and muscle spasms. If you are a heavy flow girly, cinnamon water can also lessen the flow, making your periods a little comfortable.

How to make cinnamon water

Cinnamon water can be prepared by two methods: hot infusion and cold infusion. Both are equally effective, so choose whatever suits you.

Ingredients: 

Cinnamon sticks

Water

Hot infusion method:

Add a cup of water (or more if required) to a saucepan and bring it to a boil. Add 1-2 cinnamon sticks (broken into pieces) and let it simmer for 10 mins. Strain the water and enjoy it warm.

Note: If you are using cinnamon powder, don’t add it directly to boiling water. Turn off the gas first and then add it to avoid a bitter taste.

Cold infusion method:

Add 1-2 cinnamon sticks (broken into pieces) to a jar of water, and let it sit overnight. That’s it, your cinnamon water is ready to drink the next day.

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