WHAT IS CINNAMON?
Cinnamon is a spice, used in both sweet and savory foods. The flavor and fragrance of cinnamon is due to its contents, mainly, cinnamaldehyde and eugenol. It is widely used in snack foods, breakfast cereals, tea and many traditional foods. Cinnamon along with other spices have for ages been consumed to alleviate congestion which comes from colds, allergies, along with other common conditions.
CINNAMON NUTRITION VALUE:
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, one teaspoon of ground cinnamon contains —
HEALTH BENEFITS OF CINNAMON:
Cinnamon has a wide range of benefits. Some of them are —
1. Controls Blood Sugar:
Based on Chet Day’s, Health and Beyond, new evidence has demonstrated that cinnamon may treat type-2 diabetes. A research study from the Diabetes Mellitus Care journal shown that eating a teaspoon of cinnamon powder a day reduced the degree of blood sugar.
Furthermore, the same study found that cinnamon managed to reduce triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and total cholesterol in the exact same study participants.
2. Improved Digestion:
Cinnamon along with other related spices have for ages been utilized as a digestion aid. People, who are suffering from stomach cramps, irritable bowel syndrome, along with other common stomach disorders frequently find that adding cinnamon to their most favored dish aids digestion.
3. Muscle and Joint Pain Relief:
Individuals, who eat cinnamon on a daily basis, report their joint and muscle pain, in addition to stiffness, is eliminated or reduced.
It also respite from menstrual discomforts together with other feminine discomfort. Cinnamon has been used to treat the distress that accompanies menstruation, and several women report a daily quantity of cinnamon significantly reduces fractures, pain, alongside other common menstrual complaints.
4. Promotes Weight Loss:
Everyone wants to be fit in today’s age. In such a situation, if you want to reduce your obesity, then the cinnamon included in the spices, used at home, will prove to be very helpful. The use of cinnamon will improve your metabolism and this is due to the consumption of fat cells.
Research has shown that cinnamaldehyde is an essential oil responsible for the taste of cinnamon, which improves metabolism by affecting fat cells (esipocytes). It starts burning energy through the process of thermogensis.
5. Helps to Keep the Stomach Cool:
According to a research published in the Journal of Scientific Reports, cinnamon helps in cooling and improving health by raising your body temperature by two degrees. During this time, the researchers conducted this study on pigs and found that cinnamon helps to clean the wall of the stump.
When the pigs were fed at room temperature, the carbon dioxide gas in their stomach increased. The cinnamon present in their food, helped to reduce gas by reducing the secretion of gastric acid and pepsin (digestive juice) from the stump wall.
Not only this, during the digestive process, it also helped in cooling the stomach of the pig. Researchers have created a swallowable gas sensor capsule and smart pills, that are a byproduct of digestion and provide valuable insights to the process. Not only this, it is also helpful in making the stomach more healthy.
6. May Help Fight HIV Virus:
HIV is a virus that may leads to AIDS, if not treated. Cassia Variety of cinnamon extracts may help to fight against HIV-1 virus. (✔️)
A research on HIV- infected cells revealed that it was highly effective for all sixty-nine medicinal plants that have been studied. Although, more human studies are needed to confirm these effects.
7. Cinnamon May Protect Against Cancer:
Cinnamon is widely known for its use in cancer treatments. Although, evidences are limited to animal studies, but they suggest that the extracts of cinnamon may help to protect against cancer. (✔️)
It reduces cancer cells growth and formation of blood vessels in tumors and appears to be toxic to the cancer cells. According to a study on mice with colon cancer stated that it detoxifies enzymes in the colon and helps to protect against further growth of cancer. (✔️)
8. Cinnamon increase Blood Circulation:
Cinnamon helps to thinning of the blood and increase blood circulation. It acts to increase circulation, though not as strong as garlic.
9. Respite From Gout Pain:
Recent studies have indicated that cinnamon might contain anti-inflammatory chemicals that could be useful in reducing the inflammation and pain associated with arthritis.
10. Prevention of Bladder Infections:
Individuals, who eat cinnamon on a daily basis, report a lower incidence of bladder infections.
11. Prevention of Tooth Decay and Gum Disease:
Cinnamaldehyde has some antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, which may help to fight tooth decay and bad breath.
There’s much anecdotal evidence that cinnamon can be helpful in precisely the prevention of tooth decay and gum disease.
12. Fights Harmful Bacteria:
Cinnamon contains an active component, called cinnamaldehyde, which may help to fight various kinds of infection. It is one of the best health benefits of cinnamon. Cinnamaldehyde has some antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, which may reduce infections.
It has also been shown for inhibiting the growth of certain bacteria, such as, salmonella and listeria. (✔️)
13. Toning of Tissues:
Substantial evidence exists to suggest that cinnamon may be able to constrict and tone tissues.
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