What is cinnamon?
Cinnamon is a well-known spice from Sri Lanka that comes from the inner bark of several Cinnamomum genus tree species.
Cinnamon’s health benefits
Let’s investigate the beneficial properties of this potent spice a little more deeply.
- Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
Cinnamon’s potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties can improve overall health. Cinnamaldehyde and cinnamic acid, two potent procyanidins, are among its active ingredients, which suppress molecules that cause an inflammatory response.
In addition, the antioxidant-rich active ingredients in cinnamon combat reactive oxygen species, protecting the body from oxidative stress and potentially lowering the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer.
- Regulating blood sugar
Cinnamon is a good food ingredient for treating diabetes or pre-diabetes because it has been suggested for a long time that it helps regulate blood sugar. Cinnamon may increase insulin sensitivity in animals, allowing the cells to use glucose more efficiently.
Cinnamon’s biologically active molecules may also inhibit certain enzymes that break down carbohydrates, lowering blood sugar levels after meals. However, since the current research on humans is limited, with small groups of people, and depends on the doses, type, and form of cinnamon used, including cinnamon in your diet may not always have a glucose-lowering effect.
Before including cinnamon or its extracts in your diabetes management routine, it is essential to consult a doctor to ensure that there are no adverse effects.
- Improved heart health
Heart health may be improved by incorporating cinnamon into a well-balanced diet on a regular basis. It has a set of processes that have been shown to improve heart health by lowering blood pressure, increasing HDL (good) cholesterol, decreasing LDL (bad) cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. It is critical to take note of, that a heart-solid dietary example is a proof based approach that ought to be vital for your heart wellbeing and cinnamon might be a decent expansion, yet just have a little impact in it.
- Cinnamon’s potency in terms of its antimicrobial and antifungal properties
Research has demonstrated to be beneficial against a wide range of bacterial and fungal conditions. As per different examinations, cinnamon concentrates can stop and block the development of specific kinds of microbes, including Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. This makes cinnamon an incredible possibility to save food sources and delay their timeframe of realistic usability. Cinnamon has antifungal properties and there is some proof that it very well may be utilized as a fixing in the administration of Candida albicans-related conditions.
- Cognitive enhancement
The use of cinnamon has been linked to improvements in memory and cognitive function. Cinnamaldehyde and epicatechin, two components of cinnamon that have neuroprotective properties, can be included in a diet that is good for brain health to help preserve brain function and prevent cognitive decline. While more examination is expected to totally comprehend cinnamon’s effect on perception, adding this flavor to your eating routine as a component of a way of life that advances mind wellbeing might enjoy benefits.
- Digestive health
Cinnamon has historically been used to improve digestive health. It may facilitate some aspects of our digestion by altering digestive enzymes, reducing inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, and altering the microbiota in our gut. Cinnamon may alleviate flatulence and indigestion, and its antibacterial properties may also assist in the treatment of a number of gastrointestinal conditions.
Consuming excessive amounts of cinnamon can irritate the digestive tract, which is especially true when supplements, essential oils, and extracts contain higher cinnamon levels. It’s fine to use some cinnamon in your food, but before adding more cinnamon to your diet, talk to a registered dietitian or other health care professional.