Surprising Benefits to Get From Cinnamon
Apart from being a delicious spice, cinnamon is valued by many because of its powerful medicinal properties that have been used for thousands of years.
Made from the inner bark of Cinnamomum trees, the legend of cinnamon’s amazing healing properties has now been confirmed by modern science.
Cinnamon is classified into two types.
You have the Ceylon cinnamon which many people consider as the “true” cinnamon and you have the Cassia cinnamon which is the more common variety.
Cinnamon contains a compound called cinnamaldehyde which scientists believe is responsible for its strong natural effects both on our metabolism and our health.
What health benefits can we gain from cinnamon?
Below are some of them.
Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties
While inflammation is not such a bad thing because it helps the body fight infections and repair tissue damage, it may become harmful when it becomes chronic and starts targeting the body’s own tissues.
This is where cinnamon is most useful because studies have shown that the antioxidants found in cinnamon contain anti-inflammatory properties, helping you reduce the risk of catching various diseases.
Improves Insulin Sensitivity
Insulin is essential for a lot of things. It helps regulate the body’s metabolism and energy use and helps transport blood sugar from the bloodstream to the cells.
The only problem is there are people that are resistant to the effects of insulin like people with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.
Cinnamon has the ability to reduce insulin resistance allowing the hormone to perform its function. Cinnamon increases insulin sensitivity, effectively lowering blood sugar levels in the process.
Fights Bacterial & Fungal Infections
As mentioned, cinnamaldehyde can help fight a variety of infections.
Studies have shown that cinnamon oil can be used to treat respiratory tract infections one can get from fungi.
It can also impede the growth of certain bacteria like Salmonella and Listeria. The antimicrobial effects of cinnamon are so powerful they can even help reduce bad breath and prevent tooth decay.
Reduces the Effects of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease are classified as neurodegenerative diseases because they are characterized by a progressive loss of both function and structure of the brain cells.
Studies have shown that cinnamon contains two compounds that seem to impede tau buildup in the brain which is also a common sign of impending Alzheimer's disease.
Though the results are indicative of cinnamon’s positive effects on neurodegenerative diseases, further studies are needed to ensure that they also have the same effects in humans.
Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease
We all know how lethal heart disease can be. It’s one of the world’s leading causes of premature death which is why it’s good to know that cinnamon may help reduce the risk of having one.
Studies have shown that it can help reduce the levels of bad cholesterol like LDL and triglycerides while keeping the good ones like HDL stable.
Animal studies also suggest that cinnamon can help reduce blood pressure.
Given the factors mentioned, it’s safe to say that a daily dose of cinnamon will help reduce the risk of heart disease and other heart-related issues.
Final Thoughts
There’s no question that cinnamon is not only a tasty spice but it’s also one of the healthiest spices available to us.
The ability to reduce the risk of heart disease and lower blood sugar levels are just some of the health benefits you stand to gain by including cinnamon in your daily diet.
