21 Health benefits of cinnamon you shouldn’t miss knowing
Health benefits of cinnamon are a must know for each and every person. Cinnamon improves our health in so many different ways. So, we should start using it regularly in our diet to benefit from such an amazing herb.
What is Cinnamon?
Now, you might want to know what is Cinnamon before reading about the innumerable health benefits of cinnamon. Cinnamon is produced from the bark of trees which belong to a class called Cinnamomum. Cinnamon can be used in many different ways in our food.
You can use cinnamon and honey in milk to enjoy the health benefits of cinnamon and honey together. You can sprinkle cinnamon on your coffee, tea, salads, rice dishes, etc. You can mix this spice in our favorite recipes like apple pie, cinnamon buns and doughnuts to give them a unique flavor.
Cinnamon is extensively used in countries like India in the preparation of many curries, gravies, etc. Cinnamon is widely used throughout the world as it is a unique herb which has so many health benefits and can be sued in both sweet and savory dishes with great ease.
Initially, Cinnamon was popular in countries like India, Sri Lanka, Burma, and Bangladesh. Later on, all the people started realizing the health benefits of cinnamon and started adapting it to suit their cuisine.
The flavor and aroma of Cinnamon are mainly due to an essential oil in cinnamon which contains a substance called Cinnamaldehyde. Cinnamon also contains many other substances like Eugenol, Ethyl cinnamate, Linalool, Methyl chavicol, Beta-caryophyllene which contribute to the health benefits of cinnamon.
Types of Cinnamon:
There are many different types of Cinnamon available in the market. The most important types of cinnamon in the market are: [1]
1. Cinnamomum Verum:
Cinnamon Verum is also called with the name Cinnamon Zeylanicum. It originated in the country of Srilanka. Many people might have heard of True cinnamon. Cinnamon Verum is popularly called True cinnamon. It is also known as Ceylon Cinnamon.
2. Cinnamomum Tamala:
It originated in the Northern states of India. It is also called with names Malabathrum or Malobathrum. Its name is derived from a Sanskrit word, which is an ancient Indian language.
3. Cinnamomum Cassia:
Cinnamon cassia is known to the people with the name Serichatum. It is known to the people with name Cassia. Its origins can be traced back to China. Cassia is the type of cinnamon which is popular among the Western nations like the USA.
4. Cinnamomum Iners:
It originated in the countries like Arabia and African countries like Ethiopia.
5. Cinnamomum Burmannii:
It is produced in Indonesia predominantly. It is also known with names like Indonesian cinnamon, korintje, Padang cassia.
The most popular varieties of cinnamon among all the varieties of cinnamon are Cinnamon Verum or true cinnamon and Cassia obtained from Cinnamon Iners.
Health benefits of cinnamon:
1. Cinnamon and Diabetes:
Many studies have proven the benefits of taking cinnamon for controlling the symptoms of diabetes. Cinnamon contains many substances called catechins which help in triggering a release of the hormone called insulin which is essential for controlling the blood sugar levels.
In addition to Catechins, Cinnamon also has a compound called cinnulin which acts as an antioxidant, reduces the body fat of the people suffering from Diabetes. This powerful insulin triggering action of cinnamon is the main reason for its ability to lower the blood sugar levels.
If you are suffering from Diabetes, you can include Cinnamon in your diet in many different ways. Just mix a spoon of cinnamon powder and a spoon of honey to your milk and drink it daily at night. You can also add few drops of cinnamon oil to your tea, coffee, salads or curries.
Just make your tea and add some cinnamon powder to it. Cinnamon has a distinctive flavor and aroma that you will surely love its taste in whatever form you take it.
According to a study, intake of 1 gram of cinnamon for 12 weeks reduced the levels of fasting plasma glucose and also the levels of HbA1C or glycosylated hemoglobin. So, the researchers have proposed to use Cinnamon supplements along with standard anti-diabetic medications. [2]
2. Has powerful antioxidants:
Cinnamon has many antioxidants which are absolutely essential for our body. They act as a defense against the harm produced by free radicals. Free radicals can cause any disease in the body ranging from aging to deadly cancers. Free radicals can damage our heart too.
Cinnamon fights the free radicals and prevents various cancers. It also diminishes the signs of aging like wrinkles, fine lines and age spots.
According to a study conducted to study the antioxidant effects of cinnamon, a compound called Eugenol which is present in cinnamon has powerful antioxidant abilities due to its capacity to donate hydrogen atoms. Eugenol is a type of phenylpropanoid present in cinnamon. [3]
3. Cinnamon acts against candida infections:
Candida albicans is a fungus which can cause a disease called candidiasis. It is also called thrush. Candidiasis can occur in the mouth or even in the vagina. Candida fungus causes many symptoms like curd like or cheese-like vaginal discharge, itching, redness or erythema of the vaginal walls. Vaginal candidiasis can be really very uncomfortable for the woman experiencing it.
As per a recent study, a combination of cinnamon oil and olive oil was very effective in killing candida Albicans and also other species of candida which cause candidiasis. In fact, cinnamon oil was even effective against the candida species which were resistant to the antifungal drugs like fluconazole. [4]
4. Cinnamon and oral health:
Cinnamon can kill various bacteria which are present in the mouth. Cinnamon is more effective than commercially prepared toothpaste in killing the oral bacteria as per a research study. [5] Bacteria accumulate in the mouth where food is trapped between the teeth. Then the bacteria decay the teeth and lead to dental caries.
Cinnamon prevents the formation of dental caries. Cinnamon oil is also effective in reducing the pain caused by dental caries. When you are having severe pain over the decayed tooth, just take a cotton swab and add few drops of cinnamon oil to it. Then place the cotton swab with cinnamon oil over the tooth and wait for few minutes. Your pain reduces in a jiffy.
5. Has antibacterial properties:
Cinnamon is highly effective in killing various bacteria causing many diseases like E.coli, salmonella, and pseudomonas. According to a study, cinnamaldehyde compound present in cinnamon is even capable of killing multidrug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa which is highly dangerous. [6]
Cinnamon is also helpful against certain viruses like adenovirus. We get sick quite often due to the attacks by various bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Cinnamon combats all the enemies called microbes and keeps us healthy and fit.
6. Cinnamon and cancer prevention:
Cancer is a very deadly disease and we can develop cancer of almost any organ in our body. There are many reasons behind developing cancer like improper lifestyle, unhealthy diet, genetic reasons, environmental pollution and sometimes genetic mutations.
Cinnamon helps in treating cancers by reducing the expression of certain genes like VEGF which promote the growth of cancer. It also reduces the blood supply of the cancer cells thereby enabling their death. [7] If we take cinnamon regularly, we will no longer suffer from cancers.
7. Controls Irritable bowel syndrome symptoms:
IBS or irritable bowel syndrome has many symptoms like alternating constipation and diarrhea, abdominal cramps, etc. Cinnamon has proved to be beneficial in treating various symptoms of IBS or irritable bowel syndrome as per a research conducted recently. [8]
8. Useful for ADHD kids:
Kids suffering from ADHD lack attention in school which makes them get very bad grades at school. They can’t concentrate continuously on anything that they are doing. They are also very hyperactive and they can’t sit still at one place for a very long time. They tend to play video games repeatedly.
Some studies have proved that cinnamon can be helpful for alleviating the symptoms of ADHD to some extent as it has some compounds which are beneficial for the neurons or nerve cells.
9. Treats arthritis:
Many people suffer from arthritis or joint pains. They make a person very restless. A study was conducted recently to study the effects of cinnamon on arthritis. It suggested that a substance called polyphenol fraction present in Cinnamomum Zeylanicum had a potent anti-inflammatory action which reduces the swelling in the body including arthritis.
Just add a spoon of cinnamon powder daily to milk or water and drink regularly to benefit from the anti-inflammatory actions of cinnamon and control your arthritis symptoms. [9]
10. Lowers cholesterol:
The health benefits of cinnamon on lowering cholesterol levels are also well documented and proved by research. According to a study, cinnamon along with some other herbal substances like cardamom and ginger had a very good effect on cholesterol levels. [10]
Cinnamon reduced the levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides which are harmful to the body. It also increased the levels of HDL cholesterol which is beneficial for the body.
11. Relieves muscle pains:
Health benefits of Cinnamon oil can be noticed in relieving muscle pains and strains. Just add few drops of cinnamon oil to your bathtub and soak in it for few minutes before taking a bath. You will notice that you feel very rejuvenated, relaxed and got relief from muscle pains.
12. Cures a sore throat and flu:
Many times we suffer from a cough, cold or flu and also a sore throat. But we find that many medicines are not very effective during these times. Only herbal remedies help us control our flu. Just make some cinnamon tea and drink 3 to 4 times a day. You will feel really relieved and get rid of cold, cough very soon.
13. Cinnamon is beneficial for Parkinson’s disease patients:
Parkinson’s disease leads to the degeneration of the neurons in the brain. The people suffering from this condition develop stiffness or rigidity of the muscles, shuffling gait or abnormal gait, resting tremors or tremors in the hand even while resting.
Research studies have suggested that cinnamon might play a very vital role in reversing the changes in the brain of these Parkinson’s patients.
14. Prevent Alzheimers disease:
Cinnamon is highly effective in preventing neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s patients tend to suffer from memory loss ranging from forgetting persons to forgetting to eat and talking. It is really a debilitating condition.
According to certain studies, some substances like Epicatechin and cinnamaldehyde present in cinnamon prevent the formation of degenerative changes in the brain caused by Alzheimer’s disease.
15. Cinnamon for weight loss:
You, people, have seen many health benefits of cinnamon. But, do you know that cinnamon aids in weight loss too. Cinnamon boosts the metabolism in our body, thereby burning many calories. Cinnamon also helps in reducing the levels of sugar in the blood. This blood sugar regulation and metabolism boosting the ability of cinnamon accounts for its ability to promote healthy weight loss.
16. Cures Urinary infections:
We have already seen that Cinnamon effectively kills various bacteria like E.coli. E.coli bacteria is the main reason behind urinary tract infections or UTI. So, drink few cups of cinnamon tea or hot water mixed with cinnamon powder daily and get rid of your urinary infections including bladder infections fast.
17. Prevents heart diseases:
Cinnamon has potent antioxidant properties which are quite beneficial for the heart. Cinnamon also lowers the levels of harmful cholesterol like LDL and triglycerides which cause heart diseases like the heart attack or myocardial infarction.
So, if you take cinnamon regularly, your heart will be fit and fine. Health benefits of cinnamon on the heart cannot be underestimated at all.
18. Acts like Aphrodisiac:
Many people suffer from lack of sex drive which adversely affects their relations. Cinnamon is a good aphrodisiac. It boosts the sex drive or sexual urge in a person. So, if you take cinnamon daily, you will have healthy relationships too.
19. Treats acidity:
Health benefits of cinnamon in controlling the symptoms of acidity and indigestion can be experienced very easily. When you are having severe acidity, just add some cinnamon powder to some cold milk and drink it. You can also add some honey to the cinnamon powder and eat it directly. You will get relief from your acidity symptoms very soon.
20. Cinnamon for skin:
Health benefits of cinnamon on various organs of the body are so many. Cinnamon is also very useful for our skin. It helps in controlling pimples very well when applied as a face pack or face mask along with honey.
A face mask or scrub made of salt, cinnamon powder, and honey can help you to remove all dead and dying cells on your face. This makes your skin glow instantly. Cinnamon also makes your skin moist, soft and supple.
Cinnamon reduces all the signs of aging like wrinkles, fine lines and age spots on your face due to its antioxidant properties. Cinnamon also helps in improving your complexion and making you fair. It can prevent and treat many types of infections affecting your skin.
21. Cinnamon for hair:
The health benefits of cinnamon make you try out cinnamon for sure. But, if you read about the benefits of cinnamon for hair, you will start using it for improving your hair too. A hair mask made of honey and cinnamon can help you to enhance the growth of your hair.
It can also help you to remove dead cells on your scalp and make your scalp free of dandruff. Cinnamon can also help you to make your hair light if you have a really dark hair without needing the help of artificial hair lighteners or hair colors.
Other names Of Cinnamon:
Greek: Kinnamon
Hebrew: cinnamon
English: Canel, Canella
Telugu: Dalchina chekka
Hindi: Dalchini
Tamil: Pattai
Kannada: Lavan Patte
Malayalam: Karuvapatta
Bengali: Darchini
You have seen all the health benefits of cinnamon. What are you waiting for? If you have realized all the health benefits of cinnamon, just start using it right away and get rid of all of your health ailments.
