Cinnamon comes in four varieties. The cinnamon you buy in the store could be one of two types: Ceylon or Cassia, or a combination of the two. The darker-coloured cassia cinnamon is the most widely available in the United States. It is cultivated in Southeast Asia. Ceylon cinnamon, also known as true cinnamon, is widely used in other parts of the world. Ceylon is less difficult to grind, but it may not provide the same health benefits.
Cinnamon, since 2000 BC in Ancient Egypt, has been used, where it was highly valued. Doctors used it to treat coughing, arthritis, and sore throats in the Middle Ages. It is now the second most popular spice in the United States and Europe, trailing only black pepper. Cinnamon is available as a spice in powder form or whole, as pieces of bark. People can also take supplements and use cinnamon essential oil. Cinnamon comes in two varieties: Cassia and Ceylon. The nutritional profiles of the two are pretty different.
Some research suggests that the compounds in cinnamon have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and antimicrobial properties. They may offer protection against cancer and cardiovascular disease, among other things. More evidence, however, is required to confirm.
Honey and cinnamon both have well-documented healing properties that, when applied topically, may help treat skin infections. Both honey and cinnamon have the ability to fight bacteria and reduce inflammation, which are two critical properties for skin healing. When applied to the skin, honey has been shown to effectively treat burns.
It can be useful to treat diabetic foot ulcers, a serious complication of the disease. Cinnamon's antibacterial properties may have additional wound healing benefits. Diabetes-related foot ulcers are vulnerable to antibiotic-resistant bacteria infection. According to a test-tube study, cinnamon oil helps protect against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Benefits of Cinnamon
Cinnamon may have some health benefits, according to research. These are some examples:
Improving Fungal Infections
Cinnamon oil may aid in the treatment of some fungal infections. In a 2016 laboratory study, cinnamon oil was found to be effective against a type of Candida that affects the bloodstream. This could be because of its antimicrobial properties. If additional research confirms these findings, cinnamon oil may be useful in treating this type of infection.
Influencing Blood Sugar Levels
According to a 2015 review trusted Source, animal studies have shown that cassia cinnamon may lower blood sugar levels. The review also found that after consuming up to 6 grams (g) of cinnamon per day for 40 days to 4 months, 60 people with type 2 diabetes had lower serum glucose, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and total cholesterol. However, according to a 2012 review conducted by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), a Trusted Source of Governmental authority for the National Center Complementary and Integrative Health.
Trusted Source investigated the effects of cinnamon, calcium, and zinc on blood pressure control in type 2 diabetics. The results showed that this treatment had no effect. Cinnamon does not help lower glucose or glycosylated haemoglobin A1c levels in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, which are long-term measures of blood glucose control.
Preventing Alzheimer's Disease
Cinnamon has been shown in animal studies to help prevent Alzheimer's disease. According to researchers' trusted Sources, a cinnamon bark extract known as CEppt contains properties that may prevent symptoms from developing. Mice given the extract showed a reduction in Alzheimer's-related symptoms, such as amyloid plaques, as well as improvements in their ability to think and reason. If further research confirms its efficacy, this extract — but not necessarily whole cinnamon — could be useful in developing Alzheimer's therapies.
Protecting against HIV
Cinnamon may help protect against HIV, according to a study of extracts of Indian medicinal plants published in 2000. In a laboratory, scientists tested 69 extracts. Cinnamomum cassia, or cinnamon bark, and Cardiospermum helicacabum, or cinnamon shoot and fruit, were the most effective at lowering HIV activity.
In a 2016 laboratory study by trusted Source, scientists discovered that a cinnamon extract had anti-HIV activity. This does not imply that cinnamon-containing foods can be used to treat or prevent HIV, but cinnamon extracts may one day be used in HIV therapy.
Preventing Multiple Sclerosis
Cinnamon has been tested for its anti-MS activity by experts (MS). In one study, trusted Source, researchers gave mice a cinnamon powder and water mixture and tested them. Cinnamon appeared to have anti-inflammatory properties in the central nervous system, including parts of the brain. Cinnamon may also protect regulatory T cells, or "Tregs," which regulate immune responses, according to research.
People with MS appear to have lower levels of Tregs than those who do not have the disease. The cinnamon treatment prevented the loss of certain proteins specific to Tregs in mouse studies.
Lowering the effects of High-Fat Meals
Researchers concluded in 2011 that diets high in "antioxidant spices," such as cinnamon, may help reduce the body's negative response to high-fat meals. Six people ate dishes that contained 14 g of a spice blend. Blood tests revealed that antioxidant activity increased by 13%, insulin response decreased by 21%, and triglycerides decreased by 31%.
Treating and Healing Chronic Wounds
According to a 2015 study, scientists discovered a method to package antimicrobial compounds derived from peppermint and cinnamon into tiny capsules that can both kill bacterial biofilms and actively promote healing. In this way, peppermint and cinnamon could be used in the treatment of infected wounds.
Reducing the risk of Cardiovascular Disease
Cinnamon contains a number of compounds that may be beneficial to the cardiovascular system. In one animal study, cinnamaldehyde, for example, was found to lower blood pressure. In a 2014 study by trusted Source, rats who were given long-term cinnamon and aerobic training had better heart function than those who did not. It's well known that eating cinnamon regularly is beneficial to people with diabetes. It may also help in the prevention of diabetes.
Cinnamon has been shown in numerous studies to lower fasting blood sugar levels in people with the condition. Cinnamon lowers blood sugar by increasing insulin sensitivity. Cinnamon increases the sensitivity of cells to facilitate the movement of sugar from the blood into the cells.
Honey may also have some diabetes-related benefits. According to research, a pet has a less significant effect on blood sugar levels than sugar. Furthermore, love has been shown to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides in humans.
Preventing Cancer
According to the authors of one study, cinnamaldehydes may have antitumor and anticancer properties. In the study, scientists used cinnamon and cardamom extract to treat cancer in mice. The mice that received the treatment had lower levels of oxidative stress in their melanoma cells, according to the results of the tests.
A honey-cinnamon mixture has the potential to lower your risk of heart disease by lowering several of its risk factors. Elevated LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglyceride levels are among them. High blood pressure and low HDL (good) cholesterol levels are two additional risk factors for the disease. Surprisingly, honey and cinnamon may have a positive effect on all of these.
Consuming honey has been shown in studies to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol by 6–11 percent and triglyceride levels by up to 11 percent. Honey may also boost HDL (good) cholesterol by about 3%.
May aid Wound Healing
Both honey and cinnamon come with healing properties that, when applied topically, could aid in the treatment of skin infections. Honey and cinnamon both have the ability to fight bacteria and reduce inflammation, which is two very important properties when it comes to skin healing.
Honey has been used successfully to treat burns when applied to the skin. They are used to treat diabetes-related foot ulcers, which are a serious complication of the disease. Cinnamon's antibacterial properties may provide some additional benefits for wound healing.
Diabetes-related foot ulcers are prone to infection with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. According to a test-tube study, Cinnamon oil helps protect against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Both honey and cinnamon come with healing properties that, when applied topically, could aid in the treatment of skin infections. Honey and cinnamon both have the ability to fight bacteria and reduce inflammation, which is two very important properties when it comes to skin healing.
Cinnamon's antibacterial properties may provide some additional benefits for wound healing. Honey has been used successfully to treat burns when applied to the skin. They are used to treat diabetes-related foot ulcers, which are a serious complication of the disease. Diabetes-related foot ulcers are prone to infection with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Cinnamon oil, according to a test-tube study, helps protect against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Other Benefits
Some people use cinnamon Trusted Source supplements to treat digestive issues, diabetes, loss of appetite, and other conditions. It is also used in traditional medicine to treat bronchitis. However, according to the NCCIH, "human studies do not support the use of cinnamon for any health condition."
According to one meta-analysis, a daily dose of cinnamon reduced total cholesterol by an average of 16 mg/dL, LDL (bad) cholesterol by 9 mg/dL, and triglycerides by 30 mg/dL. HDL (good) cholesterol levels increased slightly as well.
While cinnamon and honey have not been studied together, they have both been shown to cause modest reductions in blood pressure. However, this study was carried out on animals. Furthermore, both foods are high in antioxidants, which have numerous heart-health benefits. Polyphenol antioxidants improve blood flow to the heart and prevent blood clots, lowering your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Honey and cinnamon might also help prevent heart disease because they
Nutrition
A teaspoon of cinnamon with 2.6 g contains the following ingredients, according to the United States Department of Agriculture Trusted Source:
- 6.42 calories of energy
- calcium: 26.1 milligrams carbohydrate: 2.1 g (mg)
- phosphorus: 1.66 mg iron: 0.21 mg magnesium: 1.56 mg
- 11.2 mg potassium
- 0.39 micrograms of vitamin A
It also has trace amounts of vitamins B and K and antioxidants choline, beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. Antioxidants can reduce oxidative stress and may aid in the prevention of cancer, type 2 diabetes, and a variety of other diseases. Cinnamon is typically consumed in small amounts in food. As a result, the nutrients it contains will have little impact on the diet. It is occasionally used to treat irritable bowel syndrome or other stomach or intestinal issues. However, it is unclear whether it works.
Types of Cinnamon
Cinnamon is extracted from the bark of a tree. Small pieces of bark can be added to stews, desserts, and other dishes, or ground cinnamon can be used in cakes or buns. Cinnamon comes in two varieties: Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum Verum) and Cassia, or Chinese cinnamon (Cinnamomum aromaticum).
Sri Lanka produces Ceylon cinnamon. Some people call it "true cinnamon." On the other hand, Cassia cinnamon is native to China's south. Cassia is less expensive than Ceylon cinnamon.
Bees produce honey, which is a sweet liquid. For centuries, it has been used as both food and medicine. It is now most commonly used in cooking and baking, as well as a sweetener in beverages. Cinnamon, on the other side, is a spice coming from the bark of the Cinnamomum tree. Because Ceylon cinnamon is very expensive, most foods in the United States, including sticky buns and bread, use cassia cinnamon, less costly.
Its bark is harvested and dried and is commonly known as cinnamon sticks. Cinnamon can be purchased as whole sticks, ground into a powder, or as an extract. Honey and cinnamon both have numerous health benefits on their own. However, some people believe that combining the two is even better. In 1995, a Canadian tabloid published an article outlining a long list of ailments that could be cured by a combination of herbs.
Dietary Tips
Cinnamon is present in both sweet and savory dishes. Cinnamon's distinct fragrance is due to the presence of cinnamaldehyde. To incorporate cinnamon into your diet: Sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon on top of your oatmeal to replace sugar. Cinnamon can be added to cakes, cookies, bread, and applesauce. For a low-sugar treat, top a waffle with cinnamon and apple. More information on how to use cinnamon powder can be found here. You can also try the following recipes:
- Soup with butternut squash and cinnamon.
- Chicken curry from Kerala.
- Salad with Moroccan orange and cinnamon for dessert.
Side Effects of Cinnamon
In the short term, most people appear to be safe consuming moderate amounts of cinnamon as a spice or as a supplement. Cinnamon, however, contains coumarin. This is a natural flavoring, but it also plays a role in the production of warfarin, a common blood-thinning medication. Consuming too much coumarin can cause liver damage and interfere with coagulation. As a result, people should consult their doctor before incorporating cinnamon or Cassia into their diet.
Cassia cinnamon powder, a popular food ingredient in the United States, contains more coumarin than Ceylon cinnamon powder. According to a German study published in 2010, the coumarin content of cinnamon varies greatly, even among samples from the same tree. Coumarin levels in Cassia cinnamon were particularly high.
People should never use cinnamon in any form as a substitute for medical treatment for medical conditions. Cinnamon is available as both a supplement and a spice. Supplements have the potential to influence health and disease. However, because supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there may be concerns about quality, purity, and strength. Before taking supplements, people should always consult with their doctor.
Allergies and irritation Cinnamon usually has no negative side effects. However, excessive use may irritate your mouth and lips, resulting in sores. It causes allergic reactions in some people. If you apply it to your skin, it may cause redness and irritation.
Toxicity. Consuming large amounts of cassia cinnamon may be toxic, especially if you have liver problems. Coumarin, an ingredient in some cinnamon products, can cause liver problems, but the amount you'd get is likely to be insignificant. Children who are breastfeeding should avoid using cinnamon as a treatment due to a lack of evidence.
Reduce blood sugar levels. Cinnamon may have an effect on your blood sugar, so if you have diabetes and take cinnamon supplements, you may need to adjust your dosage.
Risks of Eating Dry Cinnamon
Many people have attempted to consume large amounts of dry cinnamon since the "cinnamon challenge" became popular. This challenge entails eating a tablespoon of dry, ground cinnamon in less than a minute while not drinking any water. While it may appear to be a harmless challenge, it can be extremely dangerous.
Dry cinnamon may irritate your throat and lungs, making you gag or choke. It can also cause long-term lung damage. This is due to the lungs' inability to break down the spice's fibres. It can build up in the lungs and cause lung inflammation, which is known as aspiration pneumonia. If aspiration pneumonia is not treated, the lungs can become permanently scarred and even collapse.
Most medications are safe to consume in small to moderate amounts with cinnamon. However, if you are taking medication for diabetes, heart disease, or liver disease, taking too much may be a problem. This is due to the fact that cinnamon may interact with those medications, either enhancing or intensifying their effects.
Cassia cinnamon, for example, contains high levels of coumarin, which can cause liver toxicity and damage if consumed in large quantities. Taking medicines may affect your liver, such as paracetamol, acetaminophen, or statins. Consuming too much cinnamon may increase your risk of liver damage. Also, cinnamon may help lower blood sugar, so if you take diabetes medications, the spice may enhance its effects.
Cinnamon contains antioxidant, antibiotic, and anti-inflammatory properties, but there haven't been enough studies to prove it works in humans. Normal amounts of cinnamon are unlikely to have a significant impact on your health. It's also not a good idea to eat a lot of it. There is no standard dose for cinnamon because it is unproven as a treatment. Some experts recommend taking 1/2 to 1 teaspoon (2-4 grams) of powder per day. Cinnamon was used in some studies in amounts ranging from 1 to 6 grams. Toxic doses are possible.
Interactions. If you are taking any medications on a daily basis, consult your doctor before beginning to use cinnamon supplements. They may have an impact on how antibiotics, diabetes medications, blood thinners, heart medications, and other medications work.
Conclusion
Honey and cinnamon both have numerous health benefits, many of which are scientifically supported. Both of these ingredients are particularly beneficial to your heart's health and the healing of infections. However, there is no scientific evidence that combining honey and cinnamon results in a miraculous cure.
Cinnamon is a spice that has been linked to numerous health benefits. While eating small to moderate amounts is safe, eating excessive amounts may result in side effects. This is especially true for Cassia or "regular" cinnamon, which contains high levels of coumarin, which has been linked to conditions such as liver damage and cancer.
Ceylon or "true" cinnamon, on the other side, contains only trace amounts of coumarin. While eating too much cinnamon may have some negative consequences, it is a healthy spice that is safe to consume in small to moderate amounts. Eating less than the tolerable daily intake will provide you with all of the health benefits.
You may not have considered the nutritional value of cinnamon. Cinnamon contains almost no protein or fat and thus will not play a significant role in your overall nutrition. However, a teaspoon of ground cinnamon contains these vitamins and minerals, as well as trace amounts of many other vitamins and minerals.
References
- https://www.webmd.com/diet/supplement-guide-cinnamon
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-benefits-of-cinnamon
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/266069
