“Now my life is sweet like cinnamon” is a lyric in a Tik Tok trend that every Gen Z is aware of. Well, cinnamons are not sweets! Surprised?! They are in fact spices! Cinnamon consists of the dried inner bark, is brown in colour and has a delicately fragrant aroma and a warm sweet flavour. It is used to flavour a variety of foods, from confections to curries to beverages, and is popular in bakery goods in many places. Cinnamons are found in Sri Lanka, India, and Myanmar. It is also cultivated in South America and the West Indies.
The purpose of this article is to introduce us to the health benefits of Cinnamons. There are numerous benefits of Cinnamon that is mostly overlooked by individuals, these health benefits are entrenched below:
CINNAMONS ARE HIGH IN ANTIOXIDANTS Like other spices, cinnamon contains plant compounds called Polyphenols that has protective, antioxidant properties. It is these compounds that provide many of cinnamon’s health benefits as well as support its role as a preservative in food preparation. One study found that cinnamon supplementation could significantly increase antioxidant levels in the blood while reducing levels of markers used to measure inflammation, such as C-reactive protein.
REDUCTION OF BLOOD SUGAR ANDTHE EMERGENCE OF TYPE-2 DIABETES
Cinnamon has a reputation for helping manage blood sugar. It appears to do this by a number of different mechanisms, including managing the amount of glucose that enters the bloodstream. Over the years, research has shown that cinnamons have a moderate effect on lowering fasting blood sugar levels in diabetics with poor blood sugar control.
It’s also essential for transporting blood sugar from your bloodstream to your cells. However, some people are resistant to the effects of insulin. This is known as insulin resistance, a hallmark of conditions like metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. While more research is needed, some studies suggest that cinnamon may be able to reduce insulin resistance. By increasing insulin sensitivity, cinnamon can lower blood sugar levels and support better blood sugar control.
IT SERVES AS PROTECTION AGAINST HEART DISEASES Cinnamon has been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease, which is the leading cause of death around the globe. According to one review, supplementing with at least 1.5 grams (g), or about 3/4 of a teaspoon (tsp.), of cinnamon per day was able to reduce levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and blood sugar in people with metabolic disease. Cinnamon has also been shown to reduce blood pressure when consumed consistently for at least 8 weeks. When combined, all of these factors could help reduce your risk of heart disease.
IT IS BENEFICIAL FOR THE AGING BRAIN Conditions like Alzheimer’s are more common as we age, and are typically caused by a progressive deterioration of brain cells. In Alzheimer’s, accumulation of protein fragments in the brain act by slowing how a person thinks and remembers. Cinnamon contains two compounds that appear to inhibit the build up of these proteins. Much of this evidence is derived from animal and test tube studies, so there is still much for us to learn with regards to how this effect may be of benefit to us.
IT HELPS MANAGE BLOOD PRESSURE There is some evidence to suggest that consistent consumption of cinnamon is associated with a short-term reduction in blood pressure. Although the evidence looks hopeful, it is early days and more long-term random controlled trials are needed.
IT SERVES AS PROTECTION AGAINST CANCER Although evidence to date is limited to test tube and animal studies extracts from cinnamon may provide some protection against cancer. In this regard, the spice appears to be useful at reducing the growth of cancer cells, limiting the formation of blood vessels in tumors and killing off cancer cells. It is impossible to exhaust all the benefits of Cinnamon in this article but nonetheless we shouldn’t ignore the benefits aforementioned and add Cinnamon alongside other spices we use while cooking. Health is wealth! Healthy living is paramount!
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