HEALTH BENIFITS OF TRUE CINNAMON

Health benefits of True Cinnamon

What is True Cinnamon?

Sri Lankan ceylon is considered as ture cinnomon. True Cinnamon is a spice which is taken from the inner bark of some genus Cinnamomum trees. There is an alternative to true cinnamon and it is known as Cassia.

What is the difference bitween True Cinnamon and Cassia ?

Both true cinnamon and cassia are coming under same genus which is called Cinnamomum . Some species of genus Cinnamomum are known as true cinnamon and some are known as cassia.

Sciencetific Name of True Cinnamon

Cinnamomum zeylanicum /Cinnamomum verum

Sciencetific Name of Cassia

Cinnamomum cassia /Cinnamomum aromaticaum

Cinnamomum burmannii

Both above types share their characterstics such as blood sugar regulationsso on. When considering flavor profile of cassia and true cinnamon, cassia cinnamon has stronger and hotter taste than true cinnamon and also color of it is darker than true cinnamon.

The major problem regarding these two types is cumarin content. Cumarin content is not equal of both two types. Cassia cinnamon contains comparatively higher amont of cumarin than Ceylon cinnamon. Cumarins are naturally occuring fragrant organic compound in the benzopyrone chemical class that can be toxic in larger amounts. These toxicities tend to effect the liver and nervous system most directly. The level of naturally occurring coumarins in Ceylon cinnamon is ver low and that amount could not cause health risk. But The level of naturally occurring coumarins in Cassia cinnamon is compartively higher. The amount of cumarin content in ceylon cinnamon is onlty

0.0004% against 5% found in cassia cinnamon.

If Cassia cinnamon consume substantial amounts on regular basis, it may pose a risk to some individuals. There fore consumption of cassia cinnamon in larger amounts should be avoided.

How to identify True Cinnaon and Cassia Cinnamon?

If your cinnamon shows multiple layer of thinner bark, it is Ceylon/true cinnamon and your cinnamon shows thick single layer bark, it ia Cassia cinnamon.

So, please pay your attention to identify true cinnamon, before you consume cinnamon for the betterment of your health.

Health Benifits of Cinnamon

Blood Sugar Control

If someone use half tea spoon of powdered cinnamon, there are evidance that it will significantly reduce blood sugar levels, LDL(bad) cholesterol, triglycerides and total cholesterol levels in patient with type 2 diabetes.

There are many cinnamon supplimenataions available tody if you are spending sedentary life style or if you have poor dietary choices to treat your diabetes.

Cinnamon can increase glucose metabolism of the body by 20-fold and it significantly improves blood sugar regulation. Cinamon contains many bio active compounds and they act as an insulin substitute.

Cinnamon contains higher amount of fiber and it may slow the empting of stomach after the meal to reduce sharp rices in blood sugar and improve the effectiveness or sensitivity of insulin. Polyphenols from cinnamon act as insulin sensitizer and antioxidents. As well as a bioflavonoid in cinnamon called proanthocyanidin may alter insulin-signaling activity in fat cells. All above factors effcts to control blood sugar level directly or indirectly.

Lowering LDL cholesterol and triglycerides

If there are evidances available to say cinnamon reduce LDL cholesterol and triglyceride by inderectly. It is found that cinnamon reduce triglyceride(23%-30%), LDL cholesterol(7%-27% ) and total cholestarol(12% - 26%). Statistically significant decrese can be observed in total cholestarol level, LDL, triglyceride and increase good cholestarol(HDL).

Protect against Heart Disease

Cinnamon conatin comparatively more fiber. As we as this contain much calcium. Due to cinnamon contain both fiber and calcium, it is grat for heart heath. By breaking down cholesterol, body can produce bile salt. Together with fiber and calcium help transport bile salts outside the body. Due to that break down of cholesterol will be enhanced. This directly translates to lower cholesterol levels which protect the heart from blockage and arteries from atherosclerosis.

Protect fron Cancer

According to study done by United States Agriculture Department, they have found that cinnamon extract directly effects on leukaemia and lymphomas. The cinnamon extract block the path of certain component that were important for regeneration of the cells. Further it is inhibited multification of cancerous cells and slowly reduced their spread. It was examined that the amont of extract will be high, results also will be better. And also extarct inhibit the growth of unhealthy cells only.

Relieves Arthritic  and Muscle Pain

Cinamon contain a very strong anti-inflammatory and antibacterial compound known as cinnamomum. It is a great home remedy for arthritic pain. It has natural heating mechanism provides added relief to aching joints.

Helps in digestion

Cinnamon is packed with mineral manganese, fibre, essential oils and calcium. The calcium and fibre combine with bile salts and help in their transport outside the body. The essential oils, help regulate the action of gastric juices on food, improves digestion, assimilation and its anti inflammatory properties helps reduce the inflammation caused due to indigestion, Irritable Bowel Syndrome and ulcers. Moreover the fibre content helps to relieve constipation and diarrhoea.

Helps with weight loss

Cinnamon has great digestive properties, it helps with weight loss by regulating the breakdown of carbohydrates and the production and use of insulin by the body. It also helps improve the digestion and assimilation of food within the body, helping one lose weight.

Helps beat acne

Cinnamon is a common spice and flavoring agent but the essential oil it contains also has strong anti-microbial properties. The water activity of honey is very low and this means that it does not contain a lot of moisture which can promote the growth of microorganisms. Considering that pimples often arise from an infection within the pores of the skin, combining cinnamon with honey is an effective remedy.

Helps cure a cold and cough

Cinnamon is known for its antibiotic and body warming properties, cinnamon is a formidable remedy against a cold and cough. It not only helps to relieve the congestion commonly experienced with a cold, it is also great for a sore throat when combined with ginger, tulsi and honey