Cinnamon: Uses, Health Benefits, Types, and Dosage — My Health By Web
What is Cinnamon?
Now, the main question arising in your mind is that, what is Cinnamon?
Friends, it is a very delicious spice and is used in a wide variety of cuisines.
The Cinnamon tree is an evergreen tree with thick bark and oval-shaped leaves. The spice is obtained from the tree by cutting its stem usually from ground level and then the outer wooden part is removed.
The inner bark when dries curl into rolls. These rolls are cut into 4 to 10 cm of length for commercial use.
Its major producers in the world are China, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
This spice is available in the market as rolls or in powdered form or as an essential oil.
What are the Types of Cinnamon?
Friends, there are many types of cinnamon sold in the market, and the main ones are as follows: -
1) Ceylon Cinnamon
Ceylon Cinnamon’s scientific name is Cinnamomum verum. It is also called Cinnamomum zeylanicum or True Cinnamon or Sri Lanka Cinnamon.
It is native to Sri Lanka and is commercially cultivated in Sri Lanka, Seychelles, and Madagascar.
This form is quite expensive as compared to other forms.
2) Chinese Cinnamon
Its scientific name is Cinnamomum cassia. This type is also known as Chinese cassia.
This form is native to southern China. It is commercially cultivated in China, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand.
3) Indonesian Cinnamon
Its scientific name is Cinnamomum burmannii. It is also called Padang cassia or Korintje cinnamon.
It is native to Indonesia and is commercially grown in Indonesia, Sumatra, and Jambi province.
4) Saigon Cinnamon
Its scientific name is Cinnamomum Loureiroi and is also known as Vietnamese cassia or Vietnamese cinnamon.
It is primarily cultivated in Vietnam. Though it is known as Saigon cinnamon it is not cultivated in Saigon, the largest city of Vietnam.
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Nutritional Composition
Friends, Cinnamon consists of carbohydrates, dietary fiber, fat, protein, vitamins (like vitamin A, vitamin b-complex, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin K), and minerals (like iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc).
Friends, here one thing is noteworthy that it is available in different types in the market, but all are not equally created.
What are the Cinnamon uses and health benefits?
Friends, it is a wonderful spice and has been used for more than 4000 years.
It is not used just for its flavor and aroma but also for its medicinal properties.
The most important Cinnamon Uses and its Health Benefits are: -
1) Cinnamon is loaded with powerful antioxidant properties
Cinnamon contains polyphenols like catechins and procyanidins: and these are powerful antioxidants.
These antioxidants protect your body from damage by neutralizing harmful free radicals; and thus decrease your risk of getting diseases like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
2) Cinnamon lowers inflammation in your body
Cinnamon has potent anti-inflammatory properties due to the presence of antioxidants.
Thus, it can lower your risk of diseases due to chronic inflammation and that too directed against your body’s cells.
3) Cinnamon is good for the heart
Cinnamon promotes heart health and lowers the risk of heart diseases.
Its regular consumption reduces the levels of LDL (the bad cholesterol) and triglycerides while increases the levels of HDL (the good cholesterol).
Its consumption also causes a reduction in your blood pressure.
4) Cinnamon improves digestive health
Cinnamon has been used to improve digestion and to relieve many digestive problems for thousands of years.
Its anti-microbial properties help to fight bacteria otherwise which can cause digestive infections.
5) Cinnamon lowers blood sugar levels
Many people become resistant to the effects of insulin i.e. their fat, muscles, and liver cells don’t respond well to insulin.
Cinnamon reduces insulin resistance. And thus, by improving sensitivity to the insulin hormone it lowers blood sugar levels.
6) Cinnamon may protect you from cancer
Cinnamon may help to reduce the risk of cancer.
Firstly, this is due to its ability to reduce inflammation, and secondly, it reduces the growth of cancer cells and induces cancer cell death.
7) Cinnamon is beneficial in Neurodegenerative diseases
Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease are the two most common types of neurodegenerative diseases.
Cinnamon is very beneficial for the brain.
Its consumption improves memory.
8) Cinnamon helps to fight infections
Yes, friends, you read right.
Cinnamon is very helpful in fighting bacterial and fungal infections.
9) Cinnamon benefits in weight loss
Those who want to lose weight and tummy fat should start consuming Cinnamon.
It is helpful in losing weight as it suppresses appetite, speeds up your metabolism, and regulates blood sugar levels.
10) Cinnamon helps in promoting skin health
Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory properties and thus, helps in treating inflammatory skin conditions.
It also contains a compound called cinnamaldehyde which is helpful in treating various skin disorders. Cinnamaldehyde is helpful in healing wounds, due to its anti-bacterial properties.
What is the Daily Dosage of Cinnamon?
Thus, the Recommended Daily Dosage of Cinnamon is ¼ teaspoon to 1 teaspoon of its powder i.e. 1 gram to 6 grams of its powder in a whole day can be consumed without getting side effects of coumarin.
And the Recommended Daily Dose of Cinnamon Essential Oil is 1 to 5 drops.
But before consuming this spice you should consult your doctor for its dosage.
The Final Word
Cinnamon is a very delicious and wonderful spice.
It is good for your heart health, improves digestion, lowers your blood sugar levels, and has numerous other health benefits.
But you should consume it in a recommended dose of 1 gram to 6 grams to avoid its side effects.
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Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only. Any information associated with this article should not be considered as a substitute for prescription suggested by local health care professionals.
Originally published at https://myhealthbyweb.com on September 11, 2020.
