Cinnamon Health Benefits
Cinnamon is now the second most popular spice after black pepper. It comes from the Caribbean, South America and Southeast Asia. Cinnamon sold as ground cinnamon and cinnamon sticks is the bark of a tree in the Cinnamomum family. The cinnamon stick is very hard and dry and is used to infuse liquids and dishes before being removes rather than consuming it straight up.
Cinnamon sticks are slightly spicier than their ground counterpart with a woody, earthy taste. Ground cinnamon is fine, dry and soft, and very similar in texture to flour. Added to a drink or recipe when cooking, it dissolves in seamlessly emitting its wonderful flavour and aroma without any grainy texture.
Benefits Of Cinnamon
Cinnamon Nutrition Facts:
Its nutritional benefits make it even sweeter.
Energy: 6.42 calories
Carbohydrates: 2.1 g
Calcium: 26.1 milligrams (mg)
Iron: 0.21 mg
Magnesium: 1.56 mg
Phosphorus: 1.66 mg
Potassium: 11.2 mg
Vitamin A: 0.39 micrograms
Vitamin B: traces
Vitamin K: traces
Antioxidants: choline, beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin.
Cinnamon To Treat Diabetes
Cinnamon is widely used as a spice and also acts as a cinnamon supplement, which helps in the treatment of several conditions. It can be processed into various forms, such as powder and oil, for easy use. One of the main health uses for cinnamon is in the treatment of diabetes as it helps the body to regulate insulin and glucose levels. Antioxidants found in cinnamon can also reduce oxidative stress and can help prevent cancer, type 2 diabetes, and many other conditions.
Cinnamon For Cardiovascular
Health
Cinnamon is also good for blood pressure. The various compounds in cinnamon can benefit the cardiovascular system. For example, cinnamaldehyde lowers blood pressure. Its anti-inflammatory properties reduce any kind of pressure on the veins and cardiovascular system and ensure regular blood flow. This spice also has antimicrobial properties, making it the best for treating bacterial infections. It also acts as a digestive aid, pain reliever, or cold remedy.
Cinnamon For HIV Treatment
In a 2016 laboratory study, researchers found that cinnamon extract was active against HIV. Researchers tested 69 extracts and found ninnamomum cassia or cinnamon bark and Cardiospermum helicacabum, a cinnamon sprout and fruit, were the most effective in reducing HIV activity.
This doesn’t mean that cinnamon-containing foods can cure or prevent HIV, but cinnamon extracts may one day become part of HIV treatment.