Cinnamon boast lots of impressive health benefits, including boost metabolism, reduce cancer risk, lower blood sugar, protect your brain…
1. What is cinnamon?
Cinnamon is a spice, sprinkled on toast and lattes. But extracts from the bark as well as leaves, flowers, fruits, and roots of the cinnamon tree have also been used in traditional medicine around the world for thousands of years. It’s used in cooking and baking, and added to many foods.
2. Types of cinnamon
There are four major types of cinnamon. Darker-colored cassia cinnamon is the one most commonly sold in the United States. It’s grown in southeastern Asia. Ceylon cinnamon, also known as true cinnamon, is frequently used in other countries.
The cinnamon you buy at the store could be one of the two main types, Ceylon or cassia, or a mixture of both. Ceylon is easier to grind but it may not have the same health benefits.
3. Cinnamon nutrition facts
One tablespoon of cinnamon contains 20 calories, 6 grams of carbohydrates, and 4 grams of fiber. It does not contain a significant amount of protein or fat, but it is rich in numerous micronutrients including calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium.
Because a little cinnamon goes a long way in recipes, you may not receive a significant nutritional boost from it. Include a variety of other foods in your diet that are rich in micronutrients rather than relying on cinnamon for these benefits.
4. Health benefits of cinnamon
Lower blood sugar
Several studies of adults and animals with diabetes have found that cinnamon can help lower blood sugar, though others haven’t shown similar results. Scientists still don’t know how cinnamon may work. It’s also unclear how much you would take and how long the results might last.
Boost metabolism
An essential oil in cinnamon called cinnamaldehyde can target your fat cells and make them burn more energy, according to a lab study. This is exciting news for anyone trying to lose weight, but the research is still in the early stages. We have a long way to go.
May help reduce cancer risk
Cinnamon is rich in powerful antioxidants that protect your body from the oxidative damage that can lead to cancer. For instance, studies have shown that cinnamon acts as a potent antioxidant in human colon cells, reducing the risk of colon cancer.
Fights diabetes and heart disease
Cinnamon also has many properties that can reduce the risk of heart disease, especially in people with diabetes. One older study looked at the effects of cinnamon on certain markers in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Those who took 6 grams of cinnamon daily had decreased triglycerides, LDL cholesterol (the “bad” kind), and total cholesterol. Meanwhile, HDL cholesterol, or the “good” kind, remained stable.
Fights infections
Cinnamon’s infection-fighting power comes from its main active component, cinnamaldehyde. Used as cinnamon oil, an older study showed that cinnamon can stunt the growth of bacteria such as Listeria and Salmonella. Additionally, another study showed that using cinnamon oil may help prevent tooth decay and bad breath.
Lower blood pressure
Several studies suggest that eating cinnamon every day for 3 months can bring your systolic blood pressure (the top number) down by as much as 5 points. Larger studies are needed to check things like does it really work, how much to eat to get the best results, and how long the effect lasts. And since these were people who had prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, we don’t know if cinnamon has the same effect when you don’t have blood sugar issues.
Protect your brain
In a lab setting, cinnamon stopped the buildup of a brain protein that’s a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. In another study, rats who had cinnamon did better in a water maze designed to test their memory. Of course, we need to see if these findings carry over when tested on humans.
5. Possible side effects
Allergies to cinnamon are rare, but symptoms of a cinnamon allergy include redness and skin irritation. Excessive intake of cinnamon may cause mouth and lip irritation.
Consuming large amounts of Cassia cinnamon may be toxic if you have liver or kidney problems, but the typical amount eaten is so small that it is not a problem.
While everyday use of ground cinnamon in recipes is not contraindicated, if you are taking medication and want to take cinnamon supplements for treatment, be sure to speak with a healthcare provider. Cinnamon supplements may alter the effectiveness of antibiotics, diabetes drugs, blood thinners, and heart medications.