Health Benefits of Cinnamon

 

Cinnamon is a spice obtained from the inner bark of several tree species from the genus Cinnamomum. Cinnamon is used mainly as an aromatic condiment and flavouring additive in a wide variety of cuisines, sweet and savoury dishes, breakfast cereals, snack foods, bagels, teas, and traditional foods. The aroma and flavour of cinnamon derive from its essential oil and principal component, cinnamaldehyde, as well as numerous other constituents including eugenol.

Cinnamon, from the bark of the cinnamon tree, has long been used as both a spice and a traditional medicine. As a supplement, you'll find it in capsules, teas, and extracts. So far, doctors don't recommend it for any health issues. Although research suggests interesting possibilities, there's more work to be done.

Lower Blood Sugar

Several studies of adults and animals with diabetes have found that cinnamon can help lower blood sugar, though others haven't shown similar results. Scientists still don't know how cinnamon may work. It's also not clear how much you would take and how long the results may take.

Boost Metabolism

An essential oil in cinnamon called cinnamaldehyde can target your fat cells and make them burn more energy, according to a lab study. This is  for those people trying to lose weight, but the research is still ongoing.

Smooth Skin

A study that found Ceylon cinnamon, specifically, can fight the types of bacteria known to cause acne. Another small lab study suggests that cinnamon can boost collagen production, which may help your skin look younger.

Help Treat Cancer

In studies using animals or cells grown in labs, cinnamon has shown promise for its ability to slow cancer growth and even kill tumor cells. We need well-run studies of humans to know what role, if any, cinnamon could be beneficial in curing or preventing cancer.

Lower Blood Pressure

Several studies suggest that eating cinnamon every day for 3 months can bring your systolic blood pressure (the top number) down by as much as 5 points. Larger studies are needed to check how it  works, how much to eat to get the best results, and how long the effect lasts. And since these were people who had prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, we cannot tell if cinnamon has the same effect when you don't have blood sugar issues.

Protect Your Brain

Cinnamon inhibited the accumulation of a brain protein that is a characteristic of Alzheimer's disease in a laboratory setting.

In another experiment, rats given cinnamon performed better in a water maze meant to test memory.

Naturally, we must test these results on humans to see if they hold up. Reduce Inflammation

 

Lower Cholesterol

When 60 adults in a small study ate about 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon every day for 40 days, their LDL ("bad") cholesterol went down. Other research has found that similar amounts of cinnamon, eaten daily for up to 18 weeks, can lower LDL and total cholesterol while raising HDL ("good") cholesterol. Research is still being carried out.

Fight Bacteria

Cinnamon can fight many types of bacteria that affect people  and make them sick, including salmonella, E. coli, and staph. Perhaps it could be used as a natural preservative in foods and cosmetics.

Get Rid of a Yeast Infection

It appears that cinnamon has the ability to eradicate Candida albicans, the fungus responsible for the majority of vaginal yeast infections.

It functions at least in the lab.

It is unclear how or even whether cinnamon could be used to prevent or treat a yeast infection.

Regulate Menstrual Cycles for PCOS

One small study  found that women with polycystic ovarian syndrome had more regular periods while taking a dose of 1.5 grams (about 1/2 teaspoon) of cinnamon daily for six months.

However, neither their insulin resistance nor their testosterone levels changed. 

Cinnamon Side Effects

Cinnamon has a pleasant aroma, a tasty flavor, and some health advantages.

Be very careful while reading the labels on cinnamon supplements and see your doctor if you wish to use it as a supplement for its health advantages.

Some people may get liver damage if they consume large amounts of the flavoring ingredient coumarin.

Cassia cinnamon has a far higher concentration of coumarin than Ceylon cinnamon, which normally does not.

Before taking any supplements, it is always advisable to speak with your doctor, especially if you are also on other medications.

You can occasionally drink cinnamon tea or sprinkle a small quantity of cinnamon on your food to reap the health advantages of cinnamon without having to worry about the dangers of coumarin.