Cinnamon: The super spice that could potentially halt the build-up of belly flab!

New Delhi: Obtained from the inner bark of several tree species from the genus Cinnamomum, cinnamon is used in both sweet and savoury foods.

A culinary staple, cinnamon has been known around the world for containing properties beneficial to health and numerous studies over the years have proved its efficiency, especially with regard to weight loss.

Now, adding another property to the already healthy spice, a study has said that cinnamon has the potential to reverse the effects of a high-fat diet by stopping build-up of belly-fat.

The results of the experiments conducted in the study showed that the spice slowed down the fat-storing process and reduced the risk of heart disease.

According to a report in the Deccan Chronicle, the study saw researchers examining the effects of cinnamon on rats where they fed the rodents cinnamon supplements for 12 weeks along with a high-fat diet.

They discovered that rats who ate the spice weighed less, had less belly fat and healthier levels of sugar, insulin and fat in their blood compared to those who were not fed cinnamon supplements.

The rats also had more antioxidants and anti-inflammatory molecules, which can protect the body from stress and inflammatory diseases, the report said.

The findings were presented at an American heart Association conference on heart disease.