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Sep 27, 2023 · Cinnamon is a great addition to flavor various foods and drinks. But the spice also has many health benefits. While it can be toxic for some people in large amounts, it usually doesn't cause any ...
- Overview
- 1. Contains powerful medicinal properties
- 2. Loaded with antioxidants
- 3. May have anti-inflammatory properties
- 4. Could protect against heart disease
- 5. Could improve sensitivity to insulin
- 6. Helps lower blood sugar levels
- 7. May have beneficial effects on neurodegenerative diseases
- 8. Cinnamon may protect against cancer
- 9. May prevent bacterial and fungal infections
Cinnamon is rich in antioxidants and other beneficial compounds. Some research suggests that it may help you manage blood sugars, protect against heart disease, and reduce inflammation.
Cinnamon is a spice that has been prized for its medicinal properties for thousands of years.
In recent years, modern science has started to confirm many of the potential health benefits associated with cinnamon.
Here are 10 health benefits of cinnamon that are supported by scientific research.
Cinnamon is a spice that is made from the inner bark of trees scientifically known as Cinnamomum.
It has been used as an ingredient throughout history, dating back as far as Ancient Egypt. It used to be rare and valuable and was regarded as a gift fit for kings (1).
These days, cinnamon is affordable and widely available in most supermarkets. It’s also found as an ingredient in various foods and recipes.
There are two main types of cinnamon (1):
•Ceylon cinnamon: This type is also known as “true” cinnamon.
•Cassia cinnamon: This is the most common variety today and what people generally refer to as “cinnamon.”
Antioxidants protect your body from oxidative damage caused by free radicals (5).
Cinnamon is loaded with powerful antioxidants, including polyphenols (1).
One study found that cinnamon supplementation could significantly increase antioxidant levels in the blood while reducing levels of markers used to measure inflammation, such as C-reactive protein (6).
In fact, the antioxidant effects of cinnamon are so powerful that it can even be used as a natural food preservative (7).
Summary
Cinnamon contains large amounts of highly potent polyphenol antioxidants.
Inflammation is incredibly important, as it helps your body respond to infections and repair tissue damage.
However, inflammation can become a problem when it’s chronic and directed against your body’s own tissues (8).
Cinnamon may be useful in this regard. Studies show that this spice and its antioxidants have potent anti-inflammatory properties (9, 10).
Summary
Cinnamon has been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease, which is the leading cause of death around the globe (11).
According to one review, supplementing with at least 1.5 grams (g), or about 3/4 of a teaspoon (tsp.), of cinnamon per day was able to reduce levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and blood sugar in people with metabolic disease (12).
Another review of 13 studies found that cinnamon could reduce triglyceride and total cholesterol levels, both of which are risk factors for heart disease (13).
Cinnamon has also been shown to reduce blood pressure when consumed consistently for at least 8 weeks (14, 15).
When combined, all of these factors could help reduce your risk of heart disease.
Summary
Insulin is one of the key hormones that regulate metabolism and energy use (16).
It’s also essential for transporting blood sugar from your bloodstream to your cells (16).
However, some people are resistant to the effects of insulin. This is known as insulin resistance, a hallmark of conditions like metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes (17).
While more research is needed, some studies suggest that cinnamon may be able to reduce insulin resistance (18, 19).
By increasing insulin sensitivity, cinnamon can lower blood sugar levels and support better blood sugar control.
Summary
Cinnamon is well known for its blood-sugar-lowering properties.
Apart from the beneficial effects on insulin resistance, cinnamon can lower blood sugar through several other mechanisms.
First, cinnamon has been shown to decrease the amount of sugar that enters your bloodstream after a meal.
It does this by interfering with numerous digestive enzymes, which slows the breakdown of carbohydrates in your digestive tract (20, 21).
Second, a compound in cinnamon may mimic the effects of insulin to improve the uptake of sugar into the cells (22).
Numerous human studies have confirmed the beneficial effects of cinnamon, showing that it can lower fasting blood sugar levels and improve hemoglobin A1c, a marker of long-term blood sugar control (23, 24).
Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by progressive loss of the structure or function of nerve cells (25).
Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease are two of the most common types (25).
Certain 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 (26).
In a 2014 study in mice with Parkinson’s disease, cinnamon helped protect neurons, normalized neurotransmitter levels, and improved motor function (27).
However, these effects need to be studied further in humans.
Summary
Cinnamon has been widely studied for its potential use in cancer prevention and treatment.
Overall, the evidence is limited to test-tube and animal studies, which suggest that cinnamon extracts may protect against cancer (28, 29, 30).
It acts by reducing the growth of cancer cells and the formation of blood vessels in tumors and appears to be toxic to cancer cells, causing cell death.
One study in mice with ovarian cancer found that cinnamaldehyde could block the expression of certain proteins involved in cancer growth (31).
These findings were supported by test-tube experiments, which showed that cinnamaldehyde could reduce the growth and spread of ovarian cancer cells (32).
However, more research is needed to evaluate the potential anti-cancer effects of cinnamon in humans.
Cinnamaldehyde, one of the main active components of cinnamon, may be beneficial against various kinds of infection.
Test-tube studies suggest that cinnamon oil could help kill certain fungi that cause respiratory tract infections (33).
It may also inhibit the growth of certain bacteria, including Listeria and Salmonella (34, 35).
Plus, the antimicrobial effects of cinnamon may also help prevent tooth decay and reduce bad breath (36).
However, the evidence is mostly limited to test-tube studies, so more research in humans is needed.
Summary
- Joe Leech, MS
Cinnamon is a spice obtained from the inner bark of several tree species from the genus Cinnamomum. Cinnamon is used mainly as an aromatic condiment and flavouring additive in a wide variety of cuisines, sweet and savoury dishes, breakfast cereals, snack foods, bagels, teas, hot chocolate and traditional foods.
- 226,753
Jan 3, 2020 · Cinnamon is a popular spice in the United States and Europe, and it may have health benefits. In this article, learn about what the research says and get some tips on using cinnamon.
- Yvette Brazier
Jun 29, 2023 · Cinnamon is an aromatic and versatile ingredient in sweet and savory recipes. Cinnamon has been studied for its therapeutic effects, from lowering blood sugar and cholesterol to reducing inflammation. However, consuming large doses of cinnamon can have adverse effects, such as interfering with certain medications and causing gastrointestinal ...
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May 10, 2024 · Cinnamon, bushy evergreen tree of the laurel family and the spice derived from its bark. The spice is brown in color and has a delicately fragrant aroma and a warm sweet flavor. Cinnamon is used to flavor a variety of foods, from confections to curries to beverages, and is popular in bakery goods in many places.
It has anti-inflammatory properties. Herbs and spices often contain antioxidants, powerful compounds that can reduce your risk of developing heart disease. In fact, O’Neill says cinnamon’s ...
