by Cinnamon is a fragrant spice commonly present in the kitchen of every household. Cinnamon is used to enhance the taste of food. The special thing about this spice is that it is not only used in the kitchen, but cinnamon is also useful in the treatment of many types of medicines and diseases. Cinnamon has also been used in Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine for many years.
Cinnamon is also given great importance in allopathic medicines. According to scientific studies, cinnamon is the best antioxidant after clove. The history of this spice is quite rich and ancient. If history is to be believed, the first was in 2000-5000 BC. Cinnamon was used and even today the importance and quality of this spice has not diminished. Cinnamon was used in Rome to remove the smell of dead bodies. Even in Rome, cinnamon is one of the most expensive spices.
Do you know ?
According to historians Vasco da Gama and Christopher Columbus began their journey in search of spices and herbs, especially cinnamon. Cinnamon originated in Sri Lanka and was discovered by a Portuguese. Even today the price of this spice is very high.
Cinnamon spice is prepared from the inner bark of the cinnamon tree. It is an evergreen plant found mainly in tropical regions. Cinnamon tree can grow up to 18 meters in height. Its shape is round and it is brownish red in colour. The leaves of the cinnamon tree are used as a spice in food.
Facts about Cinnamon
- Botanical name: Cinnamomum verum / Cinnamomum xylanicum
- Useful part: bark
- Geographical description: The origin of cinnamon is believed to be in South Asia but it can also be seen in most of the tropical regions of the world. Pure cinnamon is found in Sri Lanka, Madagascar and the islands of Seychelles. Cinnamon is cultivated in the state of Kerala, India.
Benefits of Cinnamon
1) Keep diabetes under control
Cinnamon is nothing less than a boon for people with type 2 diabetes. Because cinnamon has a positive effect on type-2 diabetes and helps the diabetic patient to lead a healthy and simple life. It helps the body to maintain normal blood sugar levels by increasing the body’s response to insulin.
Blood sugar levels have been found to be lower in type 2 diabetics who regularly took less than one and a half teaspoons of cinnamon per day.
To reap the benefits of cinnamon in diabetes, include it in your daily diet. Its consumption is very simple. All you have to do is sprinkle cinnamon powder on your oatmeal or any other diet in the morning or add a pinch of sweetness to your evening tea or coffee.
Drinking cinnamon mixed with milk is also beneficial for diabetes.
2) Cinnamon tea increases brain function
In many researches done on cinnamon, it has been found that the consumption of cinnamon greatly improves mental alertness. The mind gets activated just by smelling the pleasing aroma of this wonderful spice. The use of cinnamon can significantly improve brain functioning related to attention, memory and working memory. Along with this, another benefit of the antioxidant properties of cinnamon is that they help prevent the development of neurological disorders like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
Those who are troubled by exam anxiety and nervousness can drink cinnamon tea to keep the mind calm. Believe me it will actually send your worries far away and replace you with joy and concentration and you will be able to complete your work happily.
3) Use cinnamon to protect the heart
Due to the various anti-inflammatory properties of cinnamon, it is very effective in protecting the heart and its surrounding arteries from damage and infection. Its anti-inflammatory properties help in curing inflammation in the internal tissues and reduce the risk of other diseases like heart attack.
Nowadays, people consume a lot of fatty foods which are full of cholesterol and fat. The toxins that build up because of them put them at risk of heart disease.
For this, mix cinnamon powder and honey and consume it in place of your regular jam. This can reduce the risk of heart attack.
4) Cinnamon Improve Colon
According to research, cinnamon is very beneficial in improving the health of the colon, and its use can prevent the risk of colon cancer. The antioxidants found in it contribute to the prevention of stomach disease as well as other cancers.
Cinnamon is a good source of fiber, calcium and manganese. The combination of calcium and fiber can significantly improve colon function.
Calcium and fiber help in the removal of bile and salts from the body. By draining bile, fiber helps prevent damage to colon cells, thereby reducing the risk of colon cancer. Fiber is very useful in relieving the symptoms of IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), including diarrhea and constipation.
5) Medicinal properties of cinnamon give protection against cancer
Research has shown that cinnamon prevents the spread of cancer cells. According to research conducted at the University of Texas, cinnamon prevents the growth of cancer cells in the body and when it is included in the diet regularly, it also helps in preventing cancer. Cinnamon is also helpful in reducing the rate of growth of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells.
Due to the antioxidant properties of cinnamon, it is considered effective in reducing problems like DNA damage, cell mutation and the development of cancerous tumors. Studies have revealed the health benefits of cinnamon that are due to a compound called cinnamaldehyde present in it, its potential ability to inhibit the growth of cancerous tumors and protect against DNA damage, as well as its ability to help cancer cells destroy themselves. It also has the ability to stimulate (called cell apoptosis).
6) Consumption of cinnamon is effective in blood circulation
Cinnamon contains a compound called coumarin which has blood thinning properties. This improves blood circulation throughout the body. The use of coumarin in high doses can affect the function of the liver and can even damage it. Therefore, it is considered good to use cinnamon in moderation.
Cinnamon tea is also considered beneficial to increase blood flow in the body. It can warm the body thereby helping in increasing the blood flow in your body. Since it is also a natural blood thinner, it is beneficial in improving blood circulation naturally.
7) Medicinal use of cinnamon helps to remove mental disease
Cinnamon is loaded with powerful anti-inflammatory properties so it can reduce the ongoing inflammation of the internal tissues of the brain. Due to this effect, the body also gets protection from many neurological disorders.
Cinnamon’s potent and natural constituents have the ability to prevent or completely prevent the onset of a variety of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, brain tumors and meningitis.
8) Cinnamon helps to reduce cholesterol
Special elements present in cinnamon can reduce the total cholesterol level in the body. It lowers the levels of LDL ie “bad” cholesterol and triglycerides and controls the level of total cholesterol by keeping the level of HDL ie “good” cholesterol.
Cinnamon can lower triglycerides and LDL in your blood. (“bad cholesterol”) levels, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease. The active ingredients present in cinnamon increase the ability of cells to metabolize sugar by up to 20 times.
To control your cholesterol levels, consume cinnamon powder once a day by sprinkling it in your coffee or on any of your diets.
9) Cinnamon’s properties remove respiratory infection
Cinnamon is believed to be extremely useful in curing or relieving colds and flu. To get rid of sore throat, consume one or two teaspoons of ground cinnamon with green tea or apple cider vinegar. You can also consume lemon juice mixed with cinnamon in the treatment of respiratory infections. If you are suffering from common cold or cough, make a mixture of one-fourth teaspoon of lukewarm honey and cinnamon and take it twice daily after breakfast and before going to bed.
10) Cinnamon powder is helpful in reducing the pain of arthritis
Cinnamon has the ability to reduce the cytokines associated with arthritis pain. Mixing half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder with one teaspoon of honey in the morning and evening, you will get great relief in the pain of arthritis within a week and it is possible to walk without pain within a month.
Use of cinnamon on the face
Cinnamon helps in getting rid of pimples and acne on face and body. By drying the skin, it reaches the surface of the skin with blood and oxygen and protects it from many problems. Along with this, it removes the dead cells of the skin and maintains its glow.
For this, make a paste by mixing one teaspoon of cinnamon powder with three teaspoons of honey and apply it on the affected area, face or rash and leave it overnight or for 20 minutes. Then after drying the paste, wash it and do this once in a week.
Side effects of Cinnamon
Although cinnamon is very beneficial for your health, do not over-consume it thinking it is. If you think that you will get more benefits of cinnamon by taking large doses in one go, then your thinking is absolutely wrong because you will not get the benefits of consuming more of it but you will definitely have to face its side-effects.
Lactating mothers and pregnant women should be careful in consuming cinnamon.
In fact, consuming cinnamon in excess can be harmful and damage your liver. Cinnamon (especially its oil) can cause premature pain or even shrink the uterus.
Some people may also be allergic to cinnamon, even if they have consumed it before without any side-effects.
So, the benefits of cinnamon are many, but you should not forget the above-mentioned precautions. Therefore, before consuming it, understand its benefits and harms well and consume it only in proper quantity. So what are you waiting for, quickly include cinnamon in your daily diet.
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