Cinnamon Benefits Sexually

From hot cross buns to churros, cinnamon is a versatile spice that adds a sweet and smoky depth of flavor to many of our favorite foods and beverages. But can it also sweeten things up in the bedroom? Are there cinnamon benefits sexually?

Cinnamon is made from the inner bark of cinnamon trees. When the inner cinnamon bark dries, it forms strips that curl into rolls called cinnamon sticks. These sticks can be ground up to form cinnamon powder.

For thousands of years, cinnamon has been used as an alternative medicine to treat several health conditions, from diabetes to gastrointestinal problems. Cassia cinnamon — the most common type of cinnamon sold in North America — is even used as an insect repellant.

When it comes to the sexual benefits of cinnamon, some research shows that cinnamon may be useful in improving issues like erectile dysfunction (ED), albeit indirectly.

This article will explore the sexual health benefits of cinnamon for men and women and what else you can do to address sexual dysfunction.

If you’re one of the 30 million men in the U.S. with erectile dysfunction, you’re probably always on the lookout for ways to improve your sex life.

While medications like sildenafil (generic Viagra®) are among the most common treatments for ED, habits and lifestyle — including diet choices — can also play a role in sexual function.

That said, there’s not a single food or spice that can instantly improve sexual performance or boost your sex drive, not even cinnamon.

Research on cinnamon benefits sexually is limited, and any positive effects on erectile function or libido that might occur would likely be indirect.

How To Consume Cinnamon for Sexual Health Issues

Whether you choose to sprinkle ground cinnamon on your oatmeal, pop a cinnamon stick in your water, or make your own cinnamon oil, there are many ways to consume this warming spice. There’s no reason to believe the benefits of cinnamon water sexually would outweigh cinnamon tea benefits sexually, as they are both consumed orally. However, cinnamon oil benefits sexually may be a little different if you use the oil as a topical or in aromatherapy.

For example, animal studies have shown that inhaling cinnamon essential oil (and its main component, cinnamaldehyde) may reduce anxiety, which can be helpful if you struggle with sexual performance anxiety.

Ingesting cinnamon powder can lower oxidative stress and improve blood flow, potentially lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease, a major risk factor for ED.

Before we go on to explore the many other health benefits of cinnamon, it’s worth remembering that there can be several causes of erectile dysfunction, and ED can vary in severity. In cases of mild or moderate ED, diet changes along with health improvements may improve your sexual dysfunction. Still, more severe ED requires science-proven treatments instead of diet changes alone.

You might already add a teaspoon of ground cinnamon to your coffee, drink cinnamon tea, or use cinnamon essential oil. Keep reading to learn how the benefits of cinnamon might include improved sexual activity.

High Level of Antioxidants

Cinnamon has antioxidant properties thanks to polyphenols like coumarin and minerals like magnesium, manganese, and potassium. Antioxidants can protect your body from oxidative damage caused by free radicals.

One study found that cinnamon supplementation could significantly increase antioxidant levels in the blood. Of the two main types of cinnamon, Cassia cinnamon and Ceylon, Cassia significantly reduced C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation. High levels can indicate health conditions like heart disease. But both Ceylon and Cassia reduced malondialdehyde, a marker of oxidative stress. High levels are linked to an increased risk of stroke.

What do antioxidants have to do with sexual function? We already mentioned that cardiovascular diseases (like heart disease and stroke) are risk factors for ED. Another small study of 100 infertile men suggests that antioxidant activity may also improve sperm production, sperm quality (like sperm motility), and testosterone levels. These improvements can have positive effects on fertility as well as other aspects of sexual function, as testosterone plays a major role in erectile function and sex drive.

Though these findings are promising, it’s important to note that the small study did not investigate cinnamon specifically, but antioxidants in general. More research is needed on cinnamon itself before making claims like the spice is an aphrodisiac or that it can improve your T levels, fertility, or sex life.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Inflammation helps our bodies heal and repair, both internally and externally. Long-term inflammation, however, can be harmful and lead to a number of health conditions, such as heart disease and liver disease.

Inflammation may also be connected to ED, potentially as a result of eating an inflammatory diet. Studies show that cinnamon extract has anti-inflammatory properties, which may even have anti-diabetic effects.

Heart Health Benefits

In addition to its anti-inflammatory effects, some animal research shows that cinnamon is linked to a reduced risk of heart disease.

When combined with regular exercise, cinnamon supplements were found to reduce LDL cholesterol (or bad cholesterol levels) and improve HDL cholesterol in male rats — both of which can affect heart health. However, it’s unclear if these same results would occur in human subjects.

More promising, a 2021 human study found that cinnamon supplementation reduced blood pressure in patients with hypertension, another factor of heart disease. However, the study only included 40 participants.

What do these findings have to do with sex? Those with heart disease, especially people facing more severe cardiovascular disease, have been found to have reduced sexual desire, less sex, and lower sexual satisfaction.

Until larger studies are performed (on humans), don’t consider replacing your heart medicine with cinnamon.

Could Improve Insulin Sensitivity

Adding cinnamon to your French toast could not only add some flavor but also potentially reduce insulin resistance, which is linked to type 2 diabetes. Insulin is a key hormone that regulates metabolism and blood sugar levels.

One study suggests that cinnamon supplementation can reduce insulin resistance.

Why are insulin levels important for sexual activity? Like cardiovascular disease, diabetes is yet another risk factor for ED if the disease is poorly managed. But it’s a stretch to say you should use cinnamon to treat diabetes or other inflammatory diseases. This research is promising, but much more is needed.

Lowers Blood Sugar Levels

In addition to possibly reducing insulin resistance, cinnamon can lower blood sugar levels — another health benefit that may impact your sex life.

Cinnamon can decrease the amount of sugar that enters your bloodstream after a meal by interfering with numerous digestive enzymes. This slows the breakdown of carbohydrates in your digestive tract.

Slowing down the breakdown of carbs may also keep you full longer, preventing spikes in blood sugar and promoting weight loss. Like cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes, obesity is another risk factor for ED.

We talked about how cinnamon helps support your overall health (and potentially your sexual function). But are there any drawbacks?

In moderation, cinnamon can be a healthy addition to your diet. But if you consume too much or are allergic to cinnamon, there can be harmful side effects.

Side effects of cinnamon may include:

• Upset stomach

• Liver issues in those with liver disease

• Allergic reactions

You should also be careful with some imported cinnamon products. According to the FDA, some cinnamon products are tainted with lead and can lead to neurological health issues.

We discussed how cinnamon can affect erectile function, but what about women?

Numerous TikTok videos claim that combining cinnamon, warm milk, and honey is great at getting women pregnant, though it’s unclear how. Does cinnamon milk boost a woman’s sex drive, aid lubrication, make her orgasms better, or increase her fertility? There’s not enough research to know for sure.

For now, she might just like the way it tastes.

A popular spice in the kitchen, cinnamon has been used for centuries to add flavor to food and treat certain ailments. But are there cinnamon benefits sexually? Here’s what we know:

• Research on how cinnamon affects sex is minimal. Most studies on this versatile spice are small or based on animal subjects.

• Health benefits include better heart health, lower blood sugar levels, and less inflammation. These may help improve overall health and indirectly lower your risk of ED.

• Having said that, cinnamon shouldn’t be used as a sole treatment for sexual dysfunction. Truthfully, no single food can boost sex drive or cure erectile dysfunction. Rather, healthy habits and lifestyle changes, like maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise, quitting smoking, and more can help improve your erections.

If you need more support, schedule an online consultation with a healthcare provider to learn about proven treatments for ED, such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis®), avanafil (Stendra®), vardenafil (Levitra®), and Hims Hard Mints.