9 Health Benefits of Cinnamon

health benefits of cinnamon

Cinnamon is one of the spices widely used as a food seasoning. It has aromatic smells and can enhance the cooking taste.

Not only work as an ingredient in cooking spices, but cinnamon is also often used as an additional ingredient in making sweets, cakes, and perfumes. This is because cinnamon has a distinctive aroma that can give a feeling of peace and calm, which we know as aromatherapy.

Speaking of cinnamon, what exactly is cinnamon? Cinnamon is a spice obtained from the inner bark of several species of Cinnamomum.

The tree's inner bark is then dried until it is completely dry, which rolls up naturally. And as a result, cinnamon bark in the form of a roll known as cinnamon sticks.

Cinnamon, which is often used as an aromatic spice, is often used in beverages, foods, perfumes, and other products. While the waste of cinnamon is used as firewood, building materials, and household furniture.

Based on the results of the study, it is known that apart from being used as an aromatic and industrial ingredient, it turns out that regular consumption of this spice can provide important health benefits for the body.

Research shows that cinnamon can treat inflammation, fungal infections, acne, lower blood sugar levels, and much more.

According to U.S. data Department of Agriculture, Cinnamon Content per 2.6 grams is known to contain:

Energy is 6.42 calories, Carbohydrates are 2.1 grams, Iron is 0.21 milligrams, Calcium is 26.1 milligrams, Phosphorus is 1.66 milligrams, Vitamin A is 0.39 micrograms, Magnesium is 1.56 milligrams, and Potassium as much as 11.2 milligrams.

Health Benefits of Cinnamon

Here are the health benefits of cinnamon that have been proven in research.

1. Lowering blood sugar levels

One of the benefits of cinnamon that is predicted to accelerate diabetes is that cinnamon is known to help lower blood sugar levels. This is based on a study presented in the Nutrition Journal.

In the study, there were 60 participants with type 2 diabetes. The participants were asked to consume as much as six grams of cinnamon per day, which was carried out for 40 consecutive days for up to four months.

The study's results revealed that the participants' blood sugar, triglyceride, and LDL cholesterol levels decreased. This happens because Cinnamon has the natural effect of lowering blood sugar and fighting the risk of diabetes. 

The compounds in Cinnamon work by mimicking the effects of insulin and increasing glucose transport into cells. This process can help increase insulin sensitivity reactions so that moving glucose into cells becomes more efficient.

2. Prevent multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is a chronic and progressive disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that is mediated by the immune system and can affect adults and children.

Based on a study presented in the Journal of Multiple Sclerosis, it is known that cinnamon can protect T cells that regulate immune responses.

In addition, in the study, it was known that scientists gave experimental rats a form of cinnamon powder with a mixture of water, indicating that cinnamon has the potential to exert an anti-inflammatory effect on the central nervous system.

3. Relieves inflammation

Launching from the results of the publication of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, it is known that cinnamon extract is very effective in increasing the number of protective cells and the production of anti-inflammatory compounds to relieve inflammation and reduce the number of harmful cells at the same time.

In addition, anti-inflammatory cinnamon can also inhibit the production of harmful chemicals, such as nitric oxide. Remember that inflammation will occur when the body releases various compounds at the injury site to start the healing process. Cinnamon plant compounds can be consumed internally or applied to the injured area.

4. Potentially prevent cancer

According to the September 2019 publication in the European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, cinnamon, a therapeutic agent, is also known to have anti-cancer effects.

The compounds in cinnamon reduce the growth of cancer cells and the formation of blood vessels in tumors.

It appears to be toxic to cancer cells, causing cell death. The antitumor activity of cinnamon has been shown to inhibit the increase in human cancer cells, including ovarian cancer, breast cancer, lung tumor cells, and leukemia.

5. Reduce the risk of heart disease

Consumption of cinnamon regularly can reduce the risk of heart disease. Based on the results of a study published in the journal Diabetes Care, people with type 2 diabetes or diabetes mellitus who regularly consume one gram of cinnamon daily experience an increase in heart health.

This is because cinnamon reduces total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol or bad cholesterol. Meanwhile, it is known that HDL or good cholesterol levels remain stable. This is certainly very helpful in preventing fat accumulation and reducing heart disease risk.

6. Overcoming fungal infections

The next benefit of cinnamon is that it can help overcome fungal infections. Based on the results of a study published in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, cinnamon is said to have antimicrobial properties which work effectively against the attack of the fungus Candida albicans, also known as C. Albicans and Candida Non-Albicans.

The fungus C. Albicans is the most common cause of fungal infections in humans. This fungus can cause two main types of infection in humans: superficial infections, such as oral candidiasis, and systemic infections, which can be life-threatening.

7. Reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease

The ability of cinnamon to prevent the risk of Alzheimer's is known in experiments conducted on animals in the form of rats given cinnamon extract.

Experimental rats given cinnamon extract showed a decrease in Alzheimer's symptoms. This is because cinnamon contains compounds that have natural properties that can prevent Alzheimer's symptoms from developing.

According to information published in the journal PLOS One, extracts from cinnamon are known to contain a compound called CEppt. Therefore, consuming cinnamon on a regular basis is very helpful in reducing the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

However, further research is still needed to confirm this benefit.

8. Treating wounds

The benefits of cinnamon that have long been known from antiquity are to treat chronic wounds. The benefits of cinnamon in helping to treat wounds have been researched and published in the journal ACS Nano.

The study also revealed that scientists have found a way to pack the antimicrobial compounds obtained from peppermint and cinnamon into small capsules, which are known to effectively kill bacterial biofilms and also actively help promote wound healing.

This way, peppermint, and cinnamon have become part of the medicine to help treat wounds that have become infected.

9. Fight acne

As is known, cinnamon has natural properties as antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. These ingredients have proven to be effective in helping to heal acne and remove acne scars.

Not only that but Cinnamon is also known to help remove dead skin cells and stimulate the growth of new skin cells, thereby effectively restoring skin softness.

How to use cinnamon to fight acne is very easy. The first step is to mix one teaspoon of ground cinnamon with three teaspoons of honey. Then, stir well between cinnamon and honey. Honey also has natural anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties. 

Apply the mixture to the acne-prone area and leave it on for at least 20 minutes. After that, rinse your face using warm water.

Location:

Share :