Cinnamon is a spice that has been used for thousands of years around the world for different uses but especially medicinal and cooking. It grows from the Cinnamomum tree where the bark has many special healing compounds such as cinnamic acid, cinnamate, and cinnamaldehyde and the oily part of the tree gives it a unique color, flavor, and smell
What are the Nutritional facts?
One tablespoon of cinnamon is packed with:
- 19 calories
- 68% manganese
- 8% calcium
- 4% iron
- 3% Vitamin K
- 4 grams of fiber
- 0 grams of sugar, fat or protein.
What are the Health Benefits Of Cinnamon?
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Have anti-inflammatory properties
Cinnamon is known to reduce both specific and systemic inflammation and swelling, hence it is good for reducing pain in people with arthritis, PMS pain, and allergic reactions. It helps the body fight infections and repair tissue damage.
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Has an anti- oxidants property
Cinnamon has a high source of protective antioxidants called phenolic acid, flavonoids, and polyphenols that reduce the slow aging process and free radical damage. It also fights off any oxidative stress in the body which forms diseases when uncontrolled, lowers nitric oxide build up in the blood and fat peroxidation which leads to cancer, heart disease, and brain disorder.
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Improves heart health
Cinnamon reduces the risks that are related to heart diseases such as high triglyceride levels, high cholesterol levels, and high blood pressure. The compounds in cinnamon reduce the total cholesterol levels, triglycerides, and blood cholesterol levels and stabilize the good cholesterol. By reducing high blood pressure, it reduces the chances of one getting a stroke or heart diseases and it increases the blood circulation while preventing bleeding by helping the body form blood clots.
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Helps fight diabetes
Cinnamon has anti-diabetic effects and it works by lowering blood sugar levels and improving the insulin hormone sensitivity hence keep the right blood levels balanced. It blocks the alanine enzymes, which lower the glucose so that it is absorbed in the body after a meal which is important for people with diabetes. It also has another compound which acts on the cells by imitating insulin, hence glucose uptake by the cells.
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Helps fight against bacterial and fungus infections
Cinnamon has an active comment i.e. cinnamaldehyde which helps fight various kinds of infection and it has shown to heal respiratory tract infection caused by fungi by clearing mucus and encouraging good circulation, inhibit certain bacteria growth and prevents tooth decay.
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Helps lower the risk of cancer
The anti-oxidant property in cinnamon protects the body against DNA damage, cell mutation and cancerous tumor growth while encouraging self-destruction (cell apoptosis) of cancerous cells. Studies have shown that cinnamon improves the health of the colon, hence reducing the risk of colon cancer.
The most common way that cinnamon consumed is through the ground powder. Cinnamon powder is used in preparing dishes such as soup, barbecue sauces, desserts such as cinnamon buns, cinnamon pie. You can add a little your morning oatmeal together with yogurt and a bit of honey or add a little to your tea.
