You all may be aware of the highly delicious spice Cinnamon. Nowadays, cinnamon is cheap, available in every supermarket and found as an ingredient in a wide variety of cuisines, sweet and savoury dishes, breakfast cereals, snackfoods, tea and traditional foods. But do you know?? Cinnamon is the name for many species of trees from the members of genus Cinnamomum while only a few species are commercially grown for spice. Apparently Cinnamon is high in medicinal properties, but there is much more to be explored and quote about this aromatic condiment and flavouring additive. Have a look at the benefits of Cinnamon.
Benefits of Adding Cinnamon in Your Diet
- Cinnamon May Play Role In Treating Type 2 diabetes – Cinnamon can also reduce insulin resistance, which has been shown to lower fasting blood sugar levels by up to 29%, which can reduce the instance of Type 2 diabetes. Perhaps, cinnamon can be an important tool in managing its symptoms.
- Cinnamon Is Helpful In The Management Of Metabolic Disease – Cinnamon could be effective in reducing blood pressure, plasma glucose, obesity, and dyslipidemia and also in reducing complications, morbidity, and mortality in metabolic syndromes.
- Cinnamon Can Be Used As An Appetite Crusher – Due to its natural sweet taste, it is helpful to those with a sugar addiction.
- Cinnamon Could Lower Your Bad Cholesterol (or LDL) – This is one of the reasons to include cinnamon in your diet. Cinnamon raises HDL (the good) cholesterol which helps to remove LDL cholesterol from the body.
- Cinnamon Has Been Proven To Have Antimicrobial Properties – Regular intake of Cinnamon has been proven to fight fungal, bacterial, and viral infections. The working mechanism of Cinnamon includes inhibition of bacteria by damaging its cell membranes and altering lipid profile.
- Cinnamon May Help Fight Or Manage HIV – Cinnamon extract may help prevent the virus from entering cells and hence fight the HIV virus.
- Cinnamon Can Help Treating Neurological Conditions – Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease symptoms can be managed with the addition of cinnamon on a regular basis.
- Cinnamon Is Anti-Carcinogenic – Cinnamon extract hinders in the growth of cancer cells and also induces cancerous cell death. It has positive benefits on both lung cancer and stomach cancer.
- Cinnamon Is Anti-Inflammatory In Nature – Consumption of cinnamon could help treat pain and headaches, as well as arthritis pain. Its consumption could reduce systemic and specific inflammation.
- Cinnamon Helps In Management Of PCOS In Women – Cinnamon may be a key element for Poly cystic ovarian syndrome management. It also manages insulin resistance with PCOS, which can contribute to weight gain.
- Cinnamon Has Antioxidant Properties – Cinnamon has powerful antioxidant benefits and can help protect the body from damage from free radicals.
- Cinnamon Is Effective In The Treatment Of Eye Disorders – Some studies have shown that cinnamon, when used in conjunction with other herbs, may be used for curing conjunctivitis and dry eye.
- Cinnamon Is A Natural Insect Repellent – Cinnamon essential oil when mixed with eucalyptus and star anise, could indeed be natural insect repellents.
Nutrition
A teaspoon of 2.6 g ground cinnamon contains:
- Energy: 6.42 calories
- Carbohydrates: 2.1 g
- Calcium: 26.1 milligrams (mg)
- Iron: 0.21 mg
- Magnesium: 1.56 mg
- Phosphorus: 1.66 mg
- Potassium: 11.2 mg
- Vitamin A: 0.39 micrograms
