You probably enjoy the taste of cinnamon in teas and baked goods but did you know that cinnamon is also good for your health? People have been using cinnamon for its medicinal properties for thousands of years, according to Healthline. Now, science is confirming that this spice is really good for you.
What’s the hype about cinnamon?
Cinnamon is made from the inner bark of the trees that are scientifically known as Cinnamomum. The spice is made by extracting the inner bark after cutting the stems of the cinnamon trees. After the inner woody areas are removed, the strips curl into rills when it dries. This forms cinnamon sticks and it can also be ground into cinnamon powder.
There are four main types of the spice, according to Forbes. Ceylon cinnamon – which is also known as true cinnamon – is the variety commonly used in North America. The others are less commonly known and include cassia that is grown in China, korintje From Indonesia, and Saigon cinnamon that is also known as Vietnamese.
You can find cinnamon sticks, the powdered spice, cinnamon tea, and essential oil in supermarkets or health food stores. Cinnamon is also available as a supplement.
Health benefits of cinnamon
But is cinnamon good for you? The spice has medicinal benefits and has been safely used since ancient times for healing. The key is moderation. When using cinnamon for health benefits, it is recommended not to exceed one teaspoon a day, according to BBC Good Food. That’s because to much cinnamon can harm your liver and interact with some medications.
Here are some of the proven benefits of Cinnamon:
Contains powerful antioxidants
Cinnamon contains plant compounds called polyphenols that are powerful antioxidants. These naturally occurring compounds provide most of cinnamon’s health benefits. Antioxidants help to combat the free radicals that could damage your cells and lead to chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers. Antioxidants also help to reduce inflammation and help to boost your immunity.
Antibacterial and antifungal properties
Cinnamon has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help protect against bacterial and fungal infections. That’s because of the essential oils contained in the bark that are called cinnamaldehyde. This antibacterial property can also improve your oral health because it can protect you from the bacteria that leads to bad breath, cavities and infections.
Contributes to brain health
Cinnamon can help your cognitive function as you age. A meta-analysis of 40 studies, published in Nutritional Neuroscience, found that cinnamon improves learning and memory. That’s because the plant compounds cinnamaldehyde and trans-cinnamaldehyde have anti-cell death and anti-inflammatory effects that help protect against cognitive impairment. These two compounds could also inhibit the build-up of amyloid-beta plaques in the brain- a key sign of Alzheimer’s.
Good for diabetics
Cinnamon could help diabetics regulate insulin and reduce blood sugar levels, according to Forbes. That’s because cinnamon may actually mimic the effects of insulin. “The main health benefit of cinnamon is its potential to help regulate blood sugar levels which can potentially lead to better diabetes management and metabolic health,” Samantha Turner, a registered dietitian in Virginia, told Forbes.
Helps protect against heart disease
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US. But cinnamon has been proven to help reduce your triglyceride and total cholesterol levels. Cinnamon can also reduce your blood pressure levels, according to a 2020 meta-analysis review of studies published in Clinical Nutrition ESPEN. This makes cinnamon a very heart-healthy spice.
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