The Top Ten Health Benefits of Cinnamon
Cinnamon Lowers Blood Sugar, Promotes Heart Health, and More
Nov 8, 2009
Cinnamon is one of the world's most popular cooking spices. Along with potent spices such as turmeric and ginger, cinnamon is a food substance which also has significant health benefits. Cinnamon has been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times. Numerous Biblical references cite its potency.
Cinnamon comes from the bark of a small tree that grows natively in India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Brazil. There are four varieties of the cinnamon tree, and of these, two – Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) and Cassia cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) -- are the most common that are commercially available. Cinnamon is an invigorating spice with a wide variety of health benefits.
The Top Ten Health Benefits of Cinnamon
Some of the health benefits of eating cinnamon include the following:
- Cinnamon has anti-diabetic action, helping to regulate blood sugar. Clinical research showed that cinnamon decreases serum glucose levels. In animal studies, cinnamon extract improved insulin action by increasing glucose uptake in muscles.
- Cinnamon promotes heart health. Clinical trials have demonstrated cinnamon’s ability to lower LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
- Cinnamon fights bacterial and fungal infections. Laboratory and animal studies showed that cinnamon has antibacterial and antifungal properties. It is active against Candida albicans, the fungus that causes yeast infections and thrush, and against Helicobacter pylori, a bacteria that causes stomach ulcers.
- Cinnamon helps fight the growth of certain cancers. US Department of Agriculture researchers have reported that cinnamon reduced the proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells.
- Cinnamon helps to relieve arthritis pain. In research conducted at Copenhagen University in Denmark, patients given cinnamon powder combined with honey every morning before breakfast reported significant relief in arthritis pain after one week of treatment and could walk without pain within one month.
- Cinnamon enhances memory. Studies have shown that cinnamon extract has a positive effect on memory, increasing concentration and improving retention.
- Cinnamon helps digestion. A familiar ingredient in chai tea, cinnamon assists the digestion of fruit, milk and milk products.
- Cinnamon is a natural blood thinner. Cinnamon should not be taken by people who have been prescribed blood-thinning medications like Coumarin, however, on its own, cinnamon has natural blood-thinning properties and may help to prevent blood clots.
- Cinnamon helps relieve cold and allergy symptoms. In Indian (Ayurvedic) medicine, cinnamon is used for the symptoms of the common cold. The spice has a stimulating effect on the respiratory system.
- Cinnamon is a natural food preservative. Because of its anti-microbial properties, cinnamon is a natural alternative to chemical food preservatives.
Since it is a food substance, cinnamon can be consumed safely in reasonable quantities; however, excessive amounts of cinnamon should be avoided as too much of the spice may have a negative effect on the liver.
References
Mishra A, Bhatti R, Singh A, Singh Ishar MP. Ameliorative Effect of the Cinnamon Oil from Cinnamomum zeylanicum upon Early Stage Diabetic Nephropathy. Planta Med. 2009 Oct 29.
Kwon HK, Jeon WK, Hwang JS, Lee CG, So JS, Park JA, Ko BS, Im SH. Cinnamon extract suppresses tumor progression by modulating angiogenesis and the effector function of CD8+ T cells. Cancer Lett. 2009 Jun 18;278(2):174-82. Epub 2009 Feb 8.
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