Cinnamon is a delicious spice that is used in many South African kitchens. Research has now confirmed what people have known for ages … Cinnamon has health benefits.
Here are five health benefits of cinnamon that are supported by scientific research.
Cinnamon may help fight HIV
HIV is a virus that slowly breaks down your immune system, which can eventually lead to AIDS, if left untreated. Cinnamon extracted from Cassia varieties is thought to help fight against HIV-1, the most common strain of the HIV virus in humans. A laboratory study looking at HIV-infected cells found that cinnamon was the most effective treatment of all 69 medicinal plants studied.
Human trials are needed to confirm these effects, but cinnamon may cut the risk of heart disease
Cinnamon has been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease, the world’s most common cause of premature death. In people with Type 2 diabetes, one gram or about half a teaspoon of cinnamon per day has been shown to have beneficial effects on blood markers. It reduces the levels of total cholesterol, and “bad” LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, while “good” HDL cholesterol remains stable .More recently, a big review study concluded that a cinnamon dose of just 120mg per day can have these effects. In this study, cinnamon also increased “good” HDL cholesterol levels.
In animal studies, cinnamon has been shown to reduce blood pressure.
When combined, all these factors may drastically cut your risk of heart disease.
Cinnamon helps fight bacterial and fungal infections
Cinnamaldehyde, one of the main active components of cinnamon, may help fight various kinds of infection.
Cinnamon oil has been shown to effectively treat respiratory tract infections caused by fungi. It can also inhibit the growth of certain bacteria, including Listeria and Salmonella. However, the evidence is limited and so far cinnamon has not been shown to reduce infections elsewhere in the body.
The antimicrobial effects of cinnamon may also help prevent tooth decay and reduce bad breath.
Cinnamon may have beneficial effects on neurodegenerative diseases
Neurodegenerative diseases are characterised by progressive loss of the structure or function of brain cells.
Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease are two of the most common types.
Two compounds found in cinnamon appear to inhibit the buildup of a protein called tau in the brain, which is one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease.
In a study of mice with Parkinson’s disease, cinnamon helped protect neurons, normalised neurotransmitter levels and improved motor function.
It is better to use Ceylon (‘true’) cinnamon
Not all cinnamon is created equal. The Cassia variety contains significant amounts of a compound called coumarin, which is believed to be harmful in large doses.
All cinnamon should have health benefits, but Cassia may cause problems in large doses due to the coumarin content.
Ceylon (‘true’) cinnamon is much better in this regard, and studies show that it’s much lower in coumarin than the Cassia variety.
Unfortunately, most cinnamon found in supermarkets is the cheaper Cassia variety.
You may be able to find Ceylon in some health food stores, and there is a good selection on Amazon.
Cinnamon can improve sensitivity to the hormone insulin
Insulin is one of the key hormones that regulate metabolism and energy use. It’s also essential for transporting blood sugar from your bloodstream to your cells. The problem is that many people are resistant to the effects of insulin.
This is known as insulin resistance, a hallmark of serious conditions like metabolic syndrome and Type 2 diabetes.
The good news is that cinnamon can dramatically reduce insulin resistance, helping this important hormone do its job.
By increasing insulin sensitivity, cinnamon can lower blood sugar levels.
The bottom line
At the end of the day, cinnamon is one of the most delicious and healthiest spices on the planet. It can lower blood sugar levels, reduce heart disease risk factors and has a plethora of other impressive health benefits. Just make sure to get Ceylon cinnamon or stick to small doses if you’re using the Cassia variety.
Source: https://www.healthline.com
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