Benefits of Cinnamon.
The Health Benefits of Cinnamon are not just restricted to any one system of our body, but cinnamon benefits you in various types of health disorders. Cinnamon also acts as a preventive remedy against serious diseases. Cinnamon is available as cinnamon sticks or cinnamon powder which are made from the cinnamon bark. The Health benefits and healing property of cinnamon are attributed to the active ingredients of the oil that is present in the bark of the cinnamon tree. Cinnamon is a natural anti oxidant.
What is Cinnamon.
Cinnamon is a small tree found in Sri Lanka, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Egypt and Brazil. Cinnamon that we use, is prepared by drying the bark of the cinnamon tree. This dried bark is then rolled into small sticks called quills. Ground cinnamon in powder form is also available. Four types of cinnamon are available, of which Ceylon cinnamon and Cassia cinnamon are the most popular. Ceylon cinnamon is the most expensive of the lot, it is sweet and easier to ground into powder form. Cassia cinnamon is darker and harder to ground into powder form.
Picture of cinnamon sticks and powder
Nutritional Contents of Cinnamon.
One teaspoon of cinnamon contains
- 28 mgms of Calcium,
- One mgm of Iron,
- More than a gram of fiber,
- Therapeutic amounts of Manganese,
- Vitamins C and K, and
- Half a gram of “usable” or “effective” carbohydrates.
How Cinnamon Benefits Your Health.
1) Cinnamon Benefits on Cholesterol.
Just half a teaspoon of cinnamon daily, added to your tea or coffee or your food lowers your raised cholesterol levels. It is said that this cholesterol lowering effect of cinnamon is directed towards LDL or the bad cholesterol, the triglycerides and the total cholesterol.
2) Cinnamon Benefits on the Heart.
The calcium and fiber content of cinnamon helps in preventing onset of heart diseases. Additionally, as explained below, adding about half a teaspoon of cinnamon in the diet daily increases the body sensitivity to insulin. This property of cinnamon is helpful to those suffering from heart disease and blood pressure. Besides, because of the anti clotting property of cinnamon, blood circulation to the heart is improved, thereby helping to prevent heart attack.
3) Cinnamon Benefits on Diabetes.
Cinnamon helps to reduce blood sugar by improving the body sensitivity to insulin. This benefit is seen more in Diabetes Type 2.
4) Cinnamon Benefits for Losing Weight.
A combination of cinnamon and honey stimulates the metabolism of the body, thereby helping to metabolize the ingested glucose fully. As a result there is no deposition of glucose in the body in the form of fats. This helps you in maintaining your proper weight and prevents weight gain.
5) Cinnamon Benefits on Cancer.
The Department of Agriculture in Maryland, U.S. conducted a study which showed that ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon with honey daily helped to stop proliferation of cancer cells in leukemia and lymphoma. Cinnamon also helps in the excretion of the bile, thereby preventing cancer of colon and colorectal cancer.
6) Cinnamon Benefits on Respiratory Tract Infections.
Mix cinnamon and honey to taste in one tablespoon and drink daily. This mix has a therapeutic effect on cold, cough, sore throat and sinusitis.
7) Cinnamon Benefits on Infections.
Cinnamon has anti septic, anti viral, anti bacterial and anti parasitic properties. It is therefore very effective to fight infections, external as well as internal. Its therapeutic effect in treating resistant yeast infections of the vagina and mouth are also well known. Application of honey and cinnamon helps in quicker healing of external wounds.
Cinnamon Benefits on Arthritis.
Half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder with one tablespoon of honey taken daily gives much relief from pain and inflammation of arthritis. This is attributed to the rich content of anti inflammatory compounds in cinnamon.
9) Cinnamon Benefits on Urinary Tract Infections.
Cinnamon has diuretic properties which helps in proper urination. This helps to prevent urinary tract infections and formation of kidney stones.
10) Cinnamon Benefits on the Digestive Tract.
Cinnamon is well known as a digestive tonic. Besides its anti flatulent effect, it helps in giving relief in diarrhea, acidity, indigestion and vomiting.
11) Cinnamon Benefits on Acne.
Application of a mix of cinnamon and honey over pimples helps to get rid of pimples.
12) Cinnamon Benefits on Blood Circulation.
Cinnamaldehyde present in cinnamon prevents unnecessary clumping of blood platelets, thereby helping to prevent unwanted clotting of blood. This anti clotting property of cinnamon helps to keep the blood thin and improves blood circulation. This ensures proper blood circulation to all parts of the body, including the heart. Metabolic activity is also kept to the optimum.
13) Cinnamon Benefits on Immunity.
Persons regularly taking cinnamon have a richer immune system and are prone to longevity in life along with a healthier history.
14) Cinnamon Benefits on Menstruation.
Taking cinnamon daily begins to give relief to women who have painful menstrual cycles.
15) Cinnamon Benefits on Breast feeding.
Ingestion of cinnamon daily stimulates the secretion of breast milk.
16) Benefits of Cinnamon on Teeth and Mouth.
Cinnamon helps to prevent tooth decay and also acts as a mouth freshener and gets rid of bad breadth.
17) Benefits of Cinnamon on Food.
Foods to which cinnamon has been added, stay fresh for a longer period. It is a good preservative.
18) Benefits of Cinnamon on Brain.
Since cinnamon helps in improving blood circulation, it improves the activity of the brain thereby acting as a brain tonic.
Seeing the diverse health benefits of cinnamon, do make it a point to include about half a teaspoon of cinnamon in your diet daily. It could be added to your food, or your tea or your coffee.
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