Compositions comprise an amount of cinnamaldehyde that is orally tolerable, thus avoiding an unpleasant mouth feeling, and also tolerable in the gastrointestinal tract. The amount of cinnamaldehyde is supplemented by zinc, and the combination is effective to increase at least one of energy expenditure, sympathetic nervous system activity, or fat oxidation, relative to a composition lacking cinnamaldehyde and zinc but otherwise identical. The composition comprising the combination of cinnamaldehyde and zinc can be used in a method to support weight managementor promote weight loss, a method for preventing obesity or overweight, and a method for treating obesity or overweight. In an embodiment, the composition comprising cinnamaldehydeis administered to a human. The composition comprising cinnamaldehyde may be a medicament, a food product or a supplement. The composition can improve one or more of insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance, cognitive performance, cognition, mood or memory.