Cinnamon contains many antioxidants and other helpful substances. Some studies show that it may help keep blood sugar levels stable, protect the heart from disease, and lower inflammation.
Cinnamon is a spice that has been valued for its healing properties for thousands of years.
In recent years, modern science has begun to verify many of the possible health benefits of cinnamon.
Here are 6 health benefits of cinnamon that are backed by scientific research.
1.
Cinnamon: A Spice with Strong Health Benefits.
Cinnamon is a spice that comes from the inner bark of trees that belong to the scientific genus Cinnamomum.
It has been used as an ingredient for a long time, dating back to Ancient Egypt. It used to be scarce and expensive and was considered a gift worthy of kings.
These days, cinnamon is affordable and widely available in most grocery stores. It’s also used as an ingredient in various foods and dishes.
There are two main kinds of cinnamon:
Ceylon cinnamon: This kind is also known as “real” cinnamon.
Cassia cinnamon: This is the most common type today and what people usually mean by “cinnamon.”
Cinnamon is made by cutting the stems of cinnamon trees.
The inner bark is then taken out and the woody parts removed.
When it dries, it forms strips that curl into rolls, called cinnamon sticks.
These sticks can be ground to make cinnamon powder.
The unique smell and taste of cinnamon come from the oily part, which is very rich in the compound cinnamaldehyde.
Scientists think that this compound is responsible for most of cinnamon’s powerful effects on health and metabolism.
2.
Rich in antioxidants.
Antioxidants protect your body from oxidative damage caused by free radicals.
Cinnamon is rich in powerful antioxidants, including polyphenols.
One study found that cinnamon supplementation could significantly increase antioxidant levels in the blood while lowering levels of markers used to measure inflammation, such as C-reactive protein.
In fact, the antioxidant effects of cinnamon are so strong that it can even be used as a natural food preservative.
3.
May help reduce inflammation.
Inflammation is very important, as it helps your body fight infections and heal tissue damage.
However, inflammation can become a problem when it’s chronic and directed against your body’s own tissues.
Cinnamon may be helpful in this regard. Studies show that this spice and its antioxidants have strong anti-inflammatory properties.
4.
Could protect the heart.
Cinnamon has been associated with a lower risk of heart disease, which is the main cause of death worldwide.
According to one review, taking at least 1.5 grams (g), or about 3/4 of a teaspoon (tsp.), of cinnamon per day was able to lower
levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and blood sugar in people with metabolic diseases.
Another review of 13 studies found that cinnamon could lower triglyceride and total cholesterol levels, both of which are risk factors for heart disease.
5.
Could enhance insulin sensitivity.
Insulin is one of the key hormones that regulate metabolism and energy use.
It’s also essential for moving blood sugar from your bloodstream to your cells.
However, some people are resistant to the effects of insulin.
This is known as insulin resistance, a characteristic of conditions like metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.
While more research is needed, some studies suggest that cinnamon may be able to lower insulin resistance by increasing insulin sensitivity.
6.
Helps reduce blood sugar levels
Cinnamon is well known for its blood-sugar-reducing properties.
Apart from the beneficial effects on insulin sensitivity, cinnamon can reduce blood sugar through several other mechanisms.
First, cinnamon has been shown to lower the amount of sugar that enters your bloodstream after a meal.
It does this by interfering with many digestive enzymes, which slows the breakdown of carbohydrates in your digestive tract.
Second, a compound in cinnamon may mimic the effects of insulin to improve the uptake of sugar into the cells.
Numerous human studies have confirmed the beneficial effects of cinnamon, showing that it can lower fasting blood sugar levels and improve hemoglobin A1c, a marker of long-term blood sugar control.
The effective dose is typically 1–6 g, or around 0.5–2 tsp. of cinnamon per day.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0