Who doesn’t love cinnamon? It’s used in all kinds of sweet and savoury dishes and makes a perfect topping for your favourite coffee drinks. But aside from being one of our favourite spices, adding cinnamon to your diet can benefit your health.
1. Cinnamon and Diabetes
Studies have shown that cinnamon supplements lower blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes. In a related study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, it was found that a teaspoon of cinnamon helped tame blood sugar in people without diabetes.
Another study (suggests that because of cinnamon’s natural effect on blood sugar and lowering the body’s insulin resistance it may also be ideal for those who are categorized as being prediabetic.
It also reduces LDL cholesterol levels. LDL is also known as the harmful cholesterol. Reducing it may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
2. Cinnamon combats free radicals
The body produces free radicals which are small molecules that arise when atoms are paired with unpaired electrons. When this happens, free radicals start damaging other areas of the body, such as DNA and cause cell deterioration.
The body produces free radicals which are small molecules that arise when atoms are paired with unpaired electrons. When this happens, free radicals start damaging other areas of the body, such as DNA and cause cell deterioration.If your body has enough antioxidants available, they will react safely with free radicals and prevent any cell damage to the body. One teaspoon of cinnamon has as much antioxidant capacity as a full cup of pomegranate juice or a half-cup of blueberries.
3. Cinnamon fights infections
Due to its antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral and antiseptic properties, it is effective on external as well as internal infections. It helps in destroying germs in the gall bladder and bacteria in staph infections. In studies, cinnamon has been effective against ulcer-causing H. pylori bacteria and other pathogens.
Due to its antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral and antiseptic properties, it is effective on external as well as internal infections. It helps in destroying germs in the gall bladder and bacteria in staph infections. In studies, cinnamon has been effective against ulcer-causing H. pylori bacteria and other pathogens.
4. Benefits for Inflammation
Cinnamon contains a natural anti-inflammatory property called cinnamaldehyde making it a perfect herbal remedy for pain and swelling. It improves your circulation, due to the presence of a blood thinning compound. Good blood circulation ensures oxygen supply to your cells, leading to higher metabolic activity and further protection against heart disease.
Cinnamon contains a natural anti-inflammatory property called cinnamaldehyde making it a perfect herbal remedy for pain and swelling. It improves your circulation, due to the presence of a blood thinning compound. Good blood circulation ensures oxygen supply to your cells, leading to higher metabolic activity and further protection against heart disease.
5. Cinnamon and Weight Loss
Cinnamon has a regulatory effect on blood sugar levels and simultaneously increases insulin levels in the body. It imitates the biological activity of insulin and increases the metabolism of glucose. Since high blood sugar levels can lead to increased storage of fat by the body, cinnamon helps prevent this increased storage of fat and enables you to lose weight. In addition, it influences the manner in which sugar is metabolized by the body and prevents the transformation of the metabolized sugar into fat. A boosted metabolism will also allow you to burn more calories in a shorter amount of time.
Cinnamon also delays the passing of food from the stomach into the intestine so you feel satisfied for a longer time and eat less. This helps you lose weight. Cinnamon also helps the body to process carbohydrates more efficiently and this assists you in losing a few pounds. Studies show that abdominal fat is more sensitive to the effects of cinnamon than fat from other parts of the body.
6. Cinnamon’s role in treating Neurodegenerative Diseases
According to research published in the journal Molecular Biology, chronic inflammation plays a major role in the development of various neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, brain tumor, and meningitis.
In addition to potentially boosting cognitive function, cinnamaldehyde and epicatechin, two compounds found in cinnamon, have an inhibitory effect on the aggregation of a particular protein called tau. Tau plays a large role in the structure and function of neurons. This protein can begin to accumulate, forming “neurofibrillary tangles” that are a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. Both compounds were found to protect tau from oxidative damage that can lead to dysfunction.
7. Cinnamon as a digestive aid
Cinnamon is effective in relieving abdominal discomfort brought about by excess gas. Cinnamon extracts can be used to treat gastrointestinal problems such as flatulent dyspepsia or gastrointestinal spasms and help calm the stomach. Cinnamon is a carminative because it helps break up intestinal gas and can be useful in fighting diarrhea and morning sickness.
For people with heartburn, it can be used as a post-meal digestive aid and in stimulating weak digestive tract.
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