Benefits of Cinnamon
Benefits of adding Cinnamon to your diet
What Is Cinnamon?
Cinnamon is a spice made from certain types of trees. Extracts from the bark as well as leaves, flowers, fruits, and roots of the cinnamon tree have been used in traditional medicine around the world for thousands of years. It’s used in cooking and baking and is added to many foods.
One of the most important active ingredients in cinnamon is cinnamaldehyde. It’s used in flavorings and fragrances. It may be responsible for some of cinnamon’s possible health benefits.
Cinnamon contains potassium, magnesium, and calcium. Potassium helps to counteract sodium’s effect on blood pressure and controls the heart rate. Potassium is also involved in nerve function.
Magnesium and calcium work together to maintain a healthy heartbeat. These two minerals are essential for skeletal health, preventing the weakening of bones, a condition called osteoporosis.
Types of Cinnamon
- Cassia cinnamon is the one most commonly sold in the United States.
- Ceylon cinnamon, also known as true cinnamon, is frequently used in other countries.
Benefits of Cinnamon
Antioxidant: Cinnamon has a ton of antioxidants, like polyphenols. These can help your body avoid oxidative damage. The antioxidants in cinnamon are so strong that it can sometimes be used as a natural food preservative.Experts have seen that taking cinnamon supplements can boost antioxidant levels in your blood as well as lower inflammation markers.
Antibiotic: The compound cinnamaldehyde is responsible for cinnamon’s distinct odor and flavor. This phytochemical also has proven widespread antibiotic effects. Cinnamaldehyde was tested against several bacteria and viruses, including staphylococcus, E. coli, salmonella, and candida. Researchers found that it was able to prevent these bacteria from growing.
Anti-inflammatory
Cinnamon is an effective anti-inflammatory. Researchers tested the phytochemicals found in cinnamon and discovered antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. In one study, certain cinnamon compounds also targeted free radicals with promising results.
Heart disease prevention
Cinnamon could lower your triglycerides and your total cholesterol levels, which could help prevent heart disease. If you take supplements with at least 1.5 grams of cinnamon a day, it may lower your total cholesterol, LDL (or bad) cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood sugar if you have metabolic disease.
It may also lower blood pressure if you consistently take it for 7 weeks.
Is cinnamon water good for you?
Cinnamon water or cinnamon tea can help lower your blood sugar levels after dinner. This can help your metabolism, aid in weight loss, and prevent metabolic disease.
Cinnamon water or cinnamon tea may also lower your appetite. This can help you avoid late-night snacking and cravings.
There are many cinnamon extracts that you can buy. You can dissolve these into hot or cool water and drink it as a dietary supplement. Just like with any other supplement, make sure you ask your doctor first.
Cinnamon Side Effects
- Irritation and allergies. Cinnamon usually causes no side effects. But heavy use could irritate your mouth and lips, causing sores. Some people are allergic to it. It might cause redness and irritation if you put it on your skin.
- Toxicity. Eating lots of cassia cinnamon could be toxic, especially if you have liver problems. Coumarin, an ingredient in some cinnamon products, can cause liver problems, but the amount you’d get is so small that it probably won’t be a problem. Given the lack of evidence about its safety, children, pregnant women, and women who are breastfeeding should avoid cinnamon as a treatment.
- Lower blood sugar. It may affect your blood sugar, so if you have diabetes and take cinnamon supplements, you might need to adjust your treatment.
- Interactions. If you take any medication regularly, talk to your doctor before you start using cinnamon supplements. They could affect the way antibiotics, diabetes drugs, blood thinners, heart medicines, and others work.
