Cinnamon has been used since ancient times to help with various different ailments, including; headaches; indigestion; diarrhea; and coughs. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 5,000 years.
Cinnamon is a spice obtained from the inner bark of several tree species from the genus Cinnamomum. Interestingly, it also comes from numerous other unrelated sources; including cassia; Chinese cinnamon; Ceylon cinnamon; Indonesian cinnamon; Saigon cinnamon; and others. The flavor of cinnamon comes mainly from its essential oil (cinnamaldehyde), which in turn gives it its distinctive smell.
Health Benefits
It is also naturally gluten-free, making cinnamon ideal for those with Celiac Disease (note: cinnamon has been found to sometimes contain gluten because of contamination from other sources during growing or processing).
Cinnamon’s health benefits include the following: cinnamon may help to prevent cancer; reduce LDL cholesterol levels in the blood; lower blood sugar levels for people with diabetes, and it is a powerful anti-oxidant. In addition, cinnamon helps keep chronic illnesses under control, including heart disease and asthma.
In recent years cinnamon has become popular due to its amazing ability to assist in fat loss – through protecting against insulin resistance and promoting healthy metabolism. There are several ways cinnamon can aid your weight loss goals: cinnamon will increase thermogenesis (which is the production of heat in the body); cinnamon helps to lower insulin levels, which can be beneficial for those who are overweight because of insulin resistance; cinnamon also suppresses your appetite.
Supplemental cinnamon may help prevent several cancers. Cinnamon is a strong anti-oxidant, has antimicrobial properties, and reduces inflammation – all things that are associated with cancer prevention.
Cinnamon’s benefits don’t end there… cinnamon may help you sleep better at night – by increasing the quality of sleep (which gives you more energy) and decreasing the time it takes to fall asleep. It does this by improving blood circulation throughout your body, including to your brain.
Nutrition Facts
Spice per 100g Energy 483 kJ Fat 0 g Protein 6 g Carbohydrate 69.86 g Fiber 6.6 g Calcium 4 mg Iron 2 mg Potassium 369.5 mg Sodium 0
100g cinnamon contains the following ingredients: cinnamon; cinnamon oil; coumarin; cinnamic aldehyde, and eugenol. It is high in iron (2%), calcium (4%), manganese (29%), vitamin-K (1%), amino acids, free-radical fighting antioxidants like quercetin, rutin, and cinnamaldehyde which is what gives cinnamon its smell. It also contains essential oils such as methyl-chavicol, eugenol, linalool, phenylpropanoids, cinnamate, and coumarins.
Side Effects
It is very important to note that cinnamon can be harmful if it is consumed in high dosages. Cinnamon should never be given to small children as cinnamon has the potential of being fatal for them. Cinnamon oil should also not be ingested on its own – cinnamon oil might cause seizures, vomiting, drowsiness, or horrendously damage your liver.
Cinnamon should not be consumed by pregnant women in high dosages – cinnamon may have the potential of causing uterine contractions. It is also important to note that cinnamon can interact badly with some medications, so it is always best to consult a drug interactions checker before supplementing cinnamon while on medication. Cinnamon is safe for healthy adults to consume in small amounts.
Uses
Cinnamon has been used as a medicinal plant for thousands of years, and now cinnamon’s benefits are available via supplementation – cinnamon supplements are very easy to find at any health-food store or online. It is known that cinnamon can help prevent cancer, lower cholesterol levels, and reduce blood sugar levels for those who suffer from diabetes. In addition, cinnamon is a powerful antioxidant and has been known to keep chronic conditions under control, including asthma. Cinnamon contains essential oils that improve blood circulation to your brain which can result in better sleep and focus (cinnamon supplements may help with focus for students who take cinnamon).
