Health Benefits of Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a spice which is highly delicious. It is made from the Cinnamomum (the inner bark of trees. is a highly delicious spice. Throughout history, it has been used as an ingredient. It used to be valuable and rare. It has been regarded AA a gift which is fit for kings. Because of its medicinal properties, it has also been prized for thousand of years.
Now days, it is found as an ingredient of several recipes and foods and it is available in every supermarket in a cheap prize.
- Types of Cinnamon
There are two common types of cinnamon:
- Ceylon cinnamon: Ceylon cinnamon is a famous type of Cinnamon. It is also known
As the “true” cinnamon
- Cassia cinnamon: Cassia cinnamon is the most common type of cinnamon. It is generally refer to as “cinnamon”.
After cutting the stems of cinnamon tress, Cinnamon is made by them. The woody parts then removed and the inner bark is extracted. When it become dries, it forms strips which are called cinnamon sticks, which curl into rolls. After this process, these sticks can be ground to form the cinnamon powder. Due to the oily part, the smell and flavor of cinnamon is distinct and this oily part is also very high in compound called cinnamaldehyde. Scientists have great belief that this compound is responsible for the more powerful effects of cinnamon on metabolism and health.
- Etymology of Cinnamon
The term cinnamon is derived from the Ancient Greek word “kinnámōmon”, later kinnamon through medieval French and Latin intermediate forms. It was borrowed from a Phoenician word by Greek, which was also very similar to the related Hebrew word “qinnāmōn”.
- Origin of Cinnamon
Cinnamon is native to the formerly Ceylon (Sri Lanka). It is the neighboring Malabar Cast of Burma and India. It is cultivated in West Indies and South America. The spice is consisting of the inner bark which is dried. It is brown in color and its flavor is warm sweet. It has delicately fragrant.
- History of Cinnamon
Dates back in Chinese writings to 2800 B.C., true cinnamon is native to Sri Lanka (Ceylon). In the Cantonese language, it is still known as kwai. Its botanicam name is derived from the Arabic and Hebraic term amomum (fragrant spice plant). It is used in embalming process by Ancient Egyptians. Italians called it canella from their word for cannon. It is also aptly describes the cinnamon sticks.
- Nutritional Information of Cinnamon
A teaspoon of ground cinnamon contain following nutrition.
- 40mg Vitamins
- 40 calories energy
- 3mg Potassium
- 2g Carbohydrates
- 20mg Iron
- 55mg Magnesium
- 2mg Calcium
- Health Benefits of Cinnamon
There is much evidence found of possible benefits of cinnamon by scientists. These are described in detailed and effective manner.
- Improving Fungal Infections
Cinnamon plays an important role in improving the fungal infections. It is said that, cinnamon oil is the thing which may help to improve various type of fungal infections. A study was conducted in 2016. It is a laboratory study, in which researchers found that cinnamon oil is very effective against fungal infection (Candida) which affects the bloodstream. Due to its anti-microbial properties, cinnamon oil may help to improve the fungal infections.
- Influencing Blood Sugar Levels
Cinnamon plays an important role in influencing the blood sugar levels. According to the review of 2015, animal studies have been shown that cassia cinnamon (type of cinnamon) may help to reduce the blood sugar level. Another small study was conducted to find out the impact of cinnamon, zinc and calcium on blood pressure management in type II diabetes patients. The results showed that, it did not have any treatment and have not any impact on improving blood sugar level. Further researches are needed in this era.
- Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease
Cinnamon plays an important role to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Some animal studies and researches showed that cinnamon may help to prevent from Alzheimer’s disease. According to the researchers, CEppt (an extract which is present in cinnamon bark) contains the properties which help to prevent the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Protecting against HIV
Cinnamon may be work as protector against HIV. 69 extracts were tested in a laboratory by scientists. Cinnamon fruit and shoot (Cinnamon Bark and Cinnamomum Cassia) were shown most effective to prevent HIV activity. A study was conducted in 2000, in which extracts of Indian medicinal plants was found that cinnamon may help in reducing the symptoms of HIV and protect against HIV. This does not mean that foods which contain cinnamon may help to prevent HIV, but one day its extract could become the part of the HIV therapy.
- Preventing Multiple Sclerosis
Cinnamon may prevent from multiple sclerosis. Scientist has tested the cinnamon for activity against the MS (multiple sclerosis). A study was conducted by some researchers. In which they gave the mixture of cinnamon powder and water and after that ran some tests. Through these tests researchers found that cinnamon could have anti-inflammatory effects on the central nervous system which help to prevent from multiple sclerosis?
- Lowering the Effects of High Fat Meals
Cinnamon may lowers the effects of high fat meals. A study was conducted by researchers in 2011, in which they concluded that diets which are rich in antioxidant spices such as cinnamon may help to reduce the negative response of our body to eat high fat meals.
- Treating and Healing Chronic Wounds
Cinnamon may treat and heal chronic wounds. A research was conducted in 2015. In this study researchers have found a way to package the compounds which are antimicrobial compounds from cinnamon and peppermintinto some tiny capsules. Thee capsules can both actively promote healing as well as kill bacterial biofilms.
- Reducing the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
Cinnamon may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease as cinnamon has various compounds which may benefit the cardiovascular system. For example, in an animal study, compound (Cinnemaldehyde), lowered the blood pressure.
Summary
To sum up, it can be concluded that, Cinnamon is very beneficial for our health. Around the world for thousand for years, it has also been used in traditional medicine. It is also used in baking and cooking. It has been added to many foods. It has many beneficial effects on our health. That is why it is said that cinnamon plays an important role to prevent us from various diseases.
