Surprising Facts About Cinnamon
Alisa Rutherford-Fortunati September 8, 2013
Cinnamon has long been enjoyed both as a culinary spice and natural medicine.
Health benefits of Cinnamon:
Nutritional:
Anti-Clotting: Cinnamaldehyde (a volatile/essential) oil in cinnamon may help stop blood from clotting unnecessarily. According to whfoods.com, cinnamon accomplishes this, “by inhibiting the release of an inflammatory fatty acid called arachidonic acid from platelet membranes and reducing the formation of an inflammatory messaging molecule called thromboxane A2.)”
This same property (inhibiting the release of arachidonic acid) makes cinnamon a natural anti-inflammatory.
Anti-Microbial: The essential oils in cinnamon are also “anti-microbial” and have been shown to stop many types of fungal and bacterial growth.
“Cinnamon’s antimicrobial properties are so effective that recent research demonstrates this spice can be used as an alternative to traditional food preservatives.” – whfoods.com
Blood Sugar Control: Cinnamon is a powerful antioxidant and also may help to control blood sugar on many levels, which helps
As little as one gram of cinnamon a day has been shown to reduce blood sugar levels, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol, in individuals with diabetes. According to whfoods.com, cinnamon will help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in people with type 2 disease.
Boosts Brain Function: Smelling the scent of cinnamon can boost brain activity.
In research reported by whfoods.com, cinnamon “enhanced study participants’ cognitive processing,” with the following activities:
Cinnamon is an excellent source of fiber, calcium and certain minerals, such as manganese.
Calcium and fiber combine to help remove bile salts from the body, which helps to protect the colon and reduce the risk of colon cancer.
Through this process, cholesterol levels may be lowered, helping prevent atherosclerosis and heart disease.
The fiber in cinnamon may also provide relief from constipation or diarrhea.
Warming Effects:
Cinnamon has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, for its warming properties, such as during a cold or flu.
Sources:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinnamon
- Whfoods.com
Cinnamon has long been enjoyed both as a culinary spice and natural medicine.
Health benefits of Cinnamon:
Nutritional:
Anti-Clotting: Cinnamaldehyde (a volatile/essential) oil in cinnamon may help stop blood from clotting unnecessarily. According to whfoods.com, cinnamon accomplishes this, “by inhibiting the release of an inflammatory fatty acid called arachidonic acid from platelet membranes and reducing the formation of an inflammatory messaging molecule called thromboxane A2.)”
This same property (inhibiting the release of arachidonic acid) makes cinnamon a natural anti-inflammatory.
Anti-Microbial: The essential oils in cinnamon are also “anti-microbial” and have been shown to stop many types of fungal and bacterial growth.
“Cinnamon’s antimicrobial properties are so effective that recent research demonstrates this spice can be used as an alternative to traditional food preservatives.” – whfoods.com
Blood Sugar Control: Cinnamon is a powerful antioxidant and also may help to control blood sugar on many levels, which helps
- slow the rate at which the stomach empties after meals.
- improve insulin response in people with Type 2 Diabetes.
As little as one gram of cinnamon a day has been shown to reduce blood sugar levels, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol, in individuals with diabetes. According to whfoods.com, cinnamon will help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in people with type 2 disease.
Boosts Brain Function: Smelling the scent of cinnamon can boost brain activity.
In research reported by whfoods.com, cinnamon “enhanced study participants’ cognitive processing,” with the following activities:
- Tasks related to attentional processes
- Virtual recognition memory
- Working memory
- Visual-motor speed while working on a computer-based program
Cinnamon is an excellent source of fiber, calcium and certain minerals, such as manganese.
Calcium and fiber combine to help remove bile salts from the body, which helps to protect the colon and reduce the risk of colon cancer.
Through this process, cholesterol levels may be lowered, helping prevent atherosclerosis and heart disease.
The fiber in cinnamon may also provide relief from constipation or diarrhea.
Warming Effects:
Cinnamon has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, for its warming properties, such as during a cold or flu.
Sources:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinnamon
- Whfoods.com
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