Cinnamon has so many uses. For most people, it's a condiment for milk or
oatmeal or is used in potpourri. The best thing about cinnamon is that
it's easily available everywhere. Do you know that cinnamon has numerous
health benefits? Do you know where it comes from? Considering their
health benefits, some might think it comes straight from heaven!
Cinnamon is actually a bark of a specific type of tree that belongs to
one family of trees. So, there's no such thing as plain cinnamon, as
there are so many types of cinnamon available on the market!
The
different types of cinnamon come from different parts of Asia. About 90
percent of the world's cinnamon comes from Southern India and Sri Lanka,
while other areas ranging from Madagascar toVietnam and China produce
the remaining 10 percent. Cassia is a highly popular form of cinnamon in
the US. It is also termed "Chinese cinnamon," but "true cinnamon" comes
only from Sri Lanka. This cinnamon has a more "high end" and delicate
taste than what we've been using in the US.
Let's have a close look at some of the health benefits of cinnamon:
Anti-clotting
The presence of cinnamaldehyde an (essential/volatile) oil in cinnamon helps it in reducing blood clots. According to
WHfoods.com,
cinnamon accomplishes this by inhibiting the release of arachidonic
acid from various platelet membranes, which is an inflammatory fatty
acid that reduces the formation of the inflammatory messaging molecule
known as thromboxane A2.
Antimicrobial
The essential oils
in cinnamon are antimicrobial and can stop various types of bacterial
and fungal growths. The antimicrobial properties of cinnamon are very
effective, so it can also be used as an alternative to various food
preservatives.
Boosts brain function
Smelling the cinnamon scent can also boost brain activity. In research reported by
WHfoods.com, cinnamon helped in enhancing the cognitive process in participants with the following activities:
• Working memory
• Tasks related to attentional processes
• Virtual recognition memory
• Visual-motor speed while working on any computer-based program
Improved colon health and protection against cardiovascular diseases
Cinnamon
has a high fiber content and is also a good source of calcium and
manganese. Fiber and calcium combine to help in removing bile salts from
the body. This helps in protecting the colon and also reduces the risk
of colon cancer. This also helps in reducing the cholesterol levels,
thereby reducing chances of heart disease. High fiber content in
cinnamon also provides relief from diarrhea or constipation.
Blood sugar control
Cinnamon
is a very powerful antioxidant and also helps in controlling blood
sugar at various levels. This helps in slowing down the rate at which
the stomach empties after meals and improving the insulin response in
people suffering from type 2 diabetes. Cinnamon is so effective that
just one gram of it a day can reduce blood sugar levels, LDL
cholesterol, triglycerides and total cholesterol in people suffering
from diabetes. According to
WHfoods.com, cinnamon also reduces risk of cardiovascular diseases in people with type 2 diabetes.
Warming Effects
Cinnamon
is best for providing warmth to the body during a flu or cold. In fact,
it is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine due to its warming
properties.
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