Health Benefits of Cinnamon

What is Cinnamon?

Cinnamon, one of the oldest spices, was the first commodity to be traded and was considered as precious as gold. The ancient Egyptians imported cinnamon from China and used it as a medicine, food enhancer and as an embalming agent.

The spice is aromatic and is stripped from the bark of the cinnamomum verum tree. It is dried in the sun and is rolled up as cinnamon sticks. When the quills are ground, it is available as powdered cinnamon.

Cinnamon has a characteristic odor and a pungent taste, which is released by cinnamaldehyde aging in the presence of oxygen. The chemical components within cinnamon include eugenol, ethyl cinnamate, methyl chavicol, linalool, cinnamaldehyde and beta-caryophyllene.

The two popular varieties of cinnamon are:

• True cinnamon (Cinnamonum verum) a native of Sri Lanka and is of better quality.
• Cassia (Cinnamonum cassia) is commercially cultivated in south Asian countries like China, Indonesia and Vietnam. It is the aromatic bark of the Chinese cinnamon tree that is more pungent than the true cinnamon.

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Health Benefits of Cinnamon

Cinnamon is associated with a number of health benefits. Most of the benefits of cinnamon on health are derived from the essential oils present in the bark of the tree. Cinnamaldehyde, cinnamyl acetate and cinnamyl alcohol in cinnamon have antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal properties. Along with its inherent properties that help fight inflammation, the flavor appeals to all age groups.

Reduces Bad Cholesterol

Various studies show that a pinch of cinnamon powder twice a day reduces triglyceride and bad (LDL) cholesterol by 30%; and increases HDL (good) cholesterol in the blood. High levels of LDL cholesterol and low HDL cholesterol are major risk factors for heart disease.

Regulates Blood Sugar Levels

Cinnamon is proved to be beneficial for diabetics as it lowers high blood glucose levels by the activity of a special compound. Cinnamtannin B1, the tannin isolated from true cinnamon slows down the activity of enzymes, which metabolizes glucose, stimulates glucose absorption by the cells and increases insulin release.

Eases Menstrual Pain

Cinnamon helps to maintain a balance in hormones. Cinnamaldehyde, a natural compound in cinnamon increases the hormone progesterone and decreases testosterone production in women.

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Rejuvenates Skin

The anti-aging properties of cinnamon protect the skin from free radical damage and keep the skin young and healthy. Cinnamon has antibacterial and antifungal properties, which help in keeping the skin free from infections. Add cinnamon to your morning tea for fresh and soft skin.

Kills Colon Cancer Cells

Cinnamon contains cinnamic aldehyde, which activates a protein that controls the expression of antioxidants. These anti-oxidants protect the colon cells against cell damage and prevent colon cancer. Melanoma is the tumor of melanin-forming cells mostly associated with skin cancer. Cinnamaldehyde exhibits anti-melanoma activity in mice injected with human skin cancer forming cells.

Prevents Neurodegenerative Diseases

Aggregation of a protein in the brain called tau, is the main feature of Alzheimer’s disease. Cinnamon contains two compounds, cinnamaldehyde and epicatechin that have an inhibitory effect on tau proteins. These compounds have shown to prevent the clumping of tau proteins, preventing Alzheimer’s disease.

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Recipe with Cinnamon

Cinnamon Apple Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 ¾ cups sugar
• ¾ cup cream cheese
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp Salt
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 3 cups chopped peeled apple

Method:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Beat 1½ cups sugar, cream cheese, butter, and vanilla.
• Add beaten eggs.
• Sieve the flour, baking powder, and salt.
• Add flour mixture to creamed mixture, and beat till it all the ingredients blend well.
• Combine ¼ cup sugar and cinnamon.
• Combine the sugar and cinnamon mixture with apple in a bowl; stir apple mixture into batter.
• Pour batter into an 8-inch pan coated with butter.
• Bake at 350°F for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until cake pulls away from the sides of the pan.
• Cool cake completely on a wire rack, and cut using a serrated knife.