Cinnamon is widely used as a spice in many culinary preparations. In fact, it is one of the oldest spices known. It has a distinctive fragrant aroma and a sweetish, pungent taste. The aromatic qualities of cinnamon result from a volatile oil, oil of cinnamon, which may be extracted from the bark by distillation.
Nevertheless, cinnamon has also been used as traditional medicine throughout the world. Chinese medicine and ayurveda, for example, believe that cinnamon has the ability to treat certain health problems (such as colds, indigestion and cramps) and to improve energy, vitality and circulation. It can be a traditional warming remedy when mixed in a tea with some fresh ginger
This is a list of cinnamon’s health benefits:
- Anti-clotting. Cinnamon has an anti-clotting effect on the blood. It helps prevent unwanted clumping of blood platelets.
- Blood sugar control. It is especially beneficial for people with Type 2 diabetes because it can improve their ability to respond to insulin.
- Lower Cholesterol. Studies showed that consuming 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon per day can lower LDL (bad) cholesterol.
- Anti-inflammatory. Cinnamon has the ability to inhibit the release of arachidonic acid (an inflammatory fatty acid) from cell membranes, so that it can be helpful in reducing inflammation.
- Anti-bacterial. Cinnamon inhibits bacterial growth and food spoilage, making it a natural food preservative.
- Coli Fighter. Studies found that cinnamon fights the E. coli bacteria in unpasteurized juices.
- Yeast Infection Help. Studies have shown that cinnamon has an amazing ability to stop medication-resistant yeast infections. The growth of yeasts that were resistant to the commonly used anti-fungal medication fluconazole was often (though not always) stopped by cinnamon extracts.
- Boosts Brain Function. The wonderful odor of cinnamon can boost brain activity.
- Cancer Prevention. According to a study, cinnamon can reduce the proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells.
Leave a Reply