9 Health Benefits of Cinnamon
1. Cinnamon is high in a substance with powerful medicinal properties
Cinnamon is a spice that is made from the inner bark of trees called Cinnamomum. It has been used as an ingredient throughout history, dating back as far as Ancient Egypt. It used to be rare and valuable, and was regarded as a gift fit for kings. These days, cinnamon is cheap, available in every supermarket and found in all sorts of foods and recipes. There are two main types of cinnamon:
Ceylon cinnamon:Also known as “true” cinnamon.
Cassia cinnamon:This is the more common variety today, what people generally refer to as “cinnamon.”
Cinnamon is made by cutting the stems of the cinnamomum tree. The inner bark is then extracted and the woody parts removed from it. When it dries, it forms strips that curl into rolls, called cinnamon sticks. The sticks can be ground to form cinnamon powder. The distinct smell and flavor of cinnamon is due to the oily part, which is very high in a compound called cinnamaldehyde. It is this compound that is responsible for most of cinnamon’s powerful effects on health and metabolism.
2. Cinnamon is loaded with antioxidants
Antioxidants protect the body from oxidative damage caused by free radicals. Cinnamon is loaded with powerful antioxidants, such as polyphenols In a study that compared the antioxidant activity of 26 spices, cinnamon wound up as the clear winner, even outranking “super foods” like garlic and oregano. In fact, it is so powerful that cinnamon can be used as a natural food preservative.
3. Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory properties
Inflammation in the body is incredibly important. It helps the body fight infections and repair tissue damage. However, inflammation can become a problem when it is chronic (long-term) and directed against the body’s own tissues. Cinnamon may be useful in this regard, because some studies show that the antioxidants in it have potent anti-inflammatory activity.
4. Cinnamon may cut the risk of heart disease
Cinnamon has been linked with reduced risk of heart disease, the world’s most common cause of premature death. In people with type 2 diabetes, 1 gram of cinnamon per day has beneficial effects on blood markers. It reduces levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, while HDL cholesterol remains stable. More recently, a big review study concluded that a cinnamon dose of just 120 milligrams per day can have these effects. In this study, cinnamon also increased HDL (the “good”) cholesterol. In animal studies, cinnamon has been shown to reduce blood pressure. When combined, all these factors may drastically cut the risk of heart disease.
5. Cinnamon can improve sensitivity to the hormone insulin
Insulin is one of the key hormones that regulate metabolism and energy use. It is also essential for the transport of blood sugar from the bloodstream and into cells. The problem is that many people are resistant to the effects of insulin. This condition, known as insulin resistance, is a hallmark of serious conditions like metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.
Well, the good news is that cinnamon can dramatically reduce insulin resistance, helping this incredibly important hormone to do its job. By helping insulin do its job, cinnamon can lower blood sugar levels, which brings us to the next point.
6. Cinnamon lowers blood sugar levels and has a powerful anti-diabetic effect
Cinnamon is well known for its blood sugar lowering effects. Apart from the beneficial effects on insulin resistance, cinnamon can lower blood sugar by several other mechanisms. First, cinnamon has been shown to decrease the amount of glucose that enters the bloodstream after a meal. It does this by interfering with numerous digestive enzymes, which slows the breakdown of carbohydrates in the digestive tract. Second, a compound in cinnamon can act on cells by mimicking insulin. This greatly improves glucose uptake by cells, although it acts much slower than insulin itself. Numerous human trials have confirmed the anti-diabetic effects of cinnamon, showing that it can lower fasting blood sugar levels by up to 10-29%. The effective dose is typically 1-6 grams of cinnamon per day (around 0.5-2 teaspoons).
7. Cinnamon may have beneficial effects on neurodegenerative diseases
Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by progressive loss of the structure or function of brain cells. Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease are two of the most common types. Two compounds found in cinnamon appear to inhibit the buildup of a protein called tau in the brain, which is one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease. In a study looking at mice with Parkinson’s disease, cinnamon helped to protect neurons, normalize neurotransmitter levels and improve motor function.
8. Cinnamon May Be Protective Against Cancer
Cancer is a serious disease, characterized by uncontrolled growth of cells. Cinnamon has been widely studied for its potential use in cancer prevention and treatment. Overall, the evidence is limited to test tube experiments and animal studies, which suggest that cinnamon extracts may protect against cancer. It acts by reducing the growth of cancer cells and the formation of blood vessels in tumors, and appears to be toxic to cancer cells, causing cell death. A study in mice with colon cancer revealed cinnamon to be a potent activator of detoxifying enzymes in the colon, protecting against further cancer growth. These findings were supported by test tube experiments, which showed that cinnamon activates protective antioxidant responses in human colon cells. Whether cinnamon has any effect in living, breathing humans needs to be confirmed in controlled trials.
9. Cinnamon helps fight bacterial and fungal infections
Cinnamaldehyde, the main active component of cinnamon, may help fight various kinds of infection. Cinnamon oil has been shown to effectively treat respiratory tract infections caused by fungi. It can also inhibit the growth of certain bacteria, including Listeria and Salmonella. The antimicrobial effects of cinnamon may also help prevent tooth decay and reduce bad breath.
Cinnamon is simply delicious so put it in your breakfast cereals, coffee and add to dishes to take profit of all these health benefits at the same time.
Are There Any Precautions for Cinnamon?
Most people can take therapeutic amounts of cinnamon without any side effects.
If you want to take large amounts of cinnamon for an extended period of time, choose Ceylon over cassia cinnamon. Cassia has relatively high amounts of a compound called coumarin that may harm your liver over time.
Because cinnamon can lower blood sugar levels, care should be taken if you’re already using medication for blood sugar. It’s also not a substitute for any current medication you may be taking.
Large amounts of cinnamon can be an irritant for your mouth or lungs, so be careful how much you take at a time.
Medical Disclaimer. We are not medical professionals. It is essential that you do your own research and talk to your own medical professional. Do not rely solely on the information in this article.
credit : https://www.vitaeinternational.com/
credit : https://theartofantiaging.com/