Did you know that the ancient Romans considered Cinnamon more precious than gold? Yes! This aromatic spice was only available for the elite class of society and was a ‘valuable gift’ to the monarchs. Although Cinnamon is one of the most commonly available spices today, it is still prized for offering our bodies a wide range of medicinal benefits.
Cinnamon or Dalchini in Hindi is the bark of the Cinnamomum trees renowned for its sweet and spicy taste with a peculiar earthy aroma. It is widely cultivated in India, China and Indonesia and used as a flavouring agent in sweet and savoury dishes.
Nutritional Benefits of Cinnamon:
Here is a breakdown of the nutritional profile of 100 gms of ground Cassia Cinnamon:
Total Calories – 247
- Total Carbohydrates – 80.6gms
- Dietary Fiber – 53.1 gms
- Sugars – 2.2gms
- Total Fat – 1.2 gms
- Protein – 4 gms
- K Vitamin – 39% of DV
- E Vitamin – 12% of DV
- B6 Vitamin – 8% of DV
- Calcium – 100% of DV
- Manganese – 873% of DV
- Iron – 46% of DV
- Potassium – 12% of DV
10 Amazing Health Benefits Of Cinnamon (Dalchini):
Did you know that Cinnamon is hailed as a superfood? In case you are wondering why, check out these 10 research-based cinnamon uses for health, skin and hair:
1. Cinnamon Benefits for Diabetes:
The main cause of Diabetes is the inability of the pancreas to produce enough insulin required by the body, which leads to elevated blood sugar levels. A study shows that Cinnamon may reduce fasting glucose readings and serum lipid levels in Type-2 Diabetes patients. Cinnamaldehyde, a compound in Cinnamon, effectively stimulates insulin release and increases insulin sensitivity (1). Other studies show Ceylon cinnamon’s better anti-diabetic properties than the Cassia type.
2. May Reduce Joint Pains:
According to a study, Cinnamon may relieve painful joint-related conditions like Rheumatoid arthritis. It is known that Cinnamon contains an active ingredient called Cinnamaldehyde, which has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce joint swelling and pain. Additionally, other flavonoid compounds like Quercetin and Hesperidin present in Cinnamon have shown positive results in preventing and treating joint inflammation (2). However, this study is limited to a small group of women and needs further investigation to prove its benefits to a larger audience.
3. May Prevent Heart Diseases:
Recent studies show that Cinnamon may play a role in reducing the number of deaths due to heart problems. A 2012 study shows that patients who were given 120mg of Cinnamon per day for 4-18 weeks recorded decreased levels of total cholesterol, LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides, along with increased HDL (good cholesterol) levels (3). The results suggest that Cinnamon may effectively reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems.
See More: Cinnamon Powder Uses
4. Cinnamon Benefits For Weight Loss:
Cinnamon helps in weight loss! A study on adults reveals that individuals who received a specified dosage of Cinnamon for 12 weeks had reduced body weight, waist circumference and overall fat mass (4). Another study supports these results, showing that Cinnamon tea may reduce weight in obese adolescents (5). The research also proposes a tea dosage with 5gm of Cinnamon and honey for two weeks to achieve the desired results.
5. May Prevent Neurodegenerative Disorders:
Many studies showed that Cinnamon extract may delay the onset of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and memory loss. Two phytochemicals present in Cinnamon, namely, proanthocyanidins and Cinnamaldehyde, are known to inhibit the formation of a protein called Tau in the brain, which damages brain cells (6).
6. May Ward off Cancers:
Cinnamon may help prevent many types of Cancers by inhibiting abnormal cell growth. A study on mice shows that the oral dosage of the cinnamon extract reduced the tumour size by suppressing inflammation and destroying cancerous cells (7). This effect is attributed to certain compounds like Cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid, 2-hydroxy cinnamaldehyde, 2-methoxy cinnamaldehyde, and eugenol, which have chemoprotective properties.
See More: Cinnamon Oil Benefits
7. May Help in Managing PCOS:
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or PCOS, is a common problem in women that leads to infertility, irregular periods, obesity, acne, etc. A study shows that Cinnamon may reduce insulin resistance in women with PCOS by reducing androgen hormone levels in the body (8). Cinnamon can support PCOS medications by improving insulin sensitivity to reduce heavy bleeding, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, etc.
8. May Keep Infections at Bay:
Cinnamon bark contains many volatile compounds that exhibit anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. According to a study, Cinnamon can reduce the risk of infections by inhibiting the growth of many pathogens in the body, which can prove mortal (9). It is known to prevent many diseases like stomach ulcers, urinary infections and other inflammatory conditions caused in the body due to invasions of foreign organisms.
9. May Treat Acne Vulgaris:
Cinnamon is also used as a home remedy for treating acne and pimples. Even science agrees that Cinnamon has promising effects as an effective anti-acne agent! A study shows that topical application of Cinnamon can reduce the size of lesions by bringing down inflammation and inhibiting bacterial growth (10). It is known that the Cinnamaldehyde present in Cinnamon is responsible for this action.
See More: Cinnamon Tea Benefits
10. May Prevent Hair Loss:
An Indonesian study shows that a topical application of Cinnamon essential oil may increase hair length and thickness in people with age-related hair loss (11). Cinnamon also helps increase blood circulation to the scalp to promote healthy hair growth. The anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties can prevent and treat dandruff and related disorders.
Cinnamon Side Effects:
Whole Cinnamon and Cinnamon oil can be toxic when used in excess amounts. Here are some of the risks associated with this ingredient:
- It may cause liver damage when eaten in excessive amounts.
- Increased risk of cancers due to Coumarin present in Cassia Cinnamon.
- It may lower blood sugar levels when combined with diabetic medications.
- Allergic reactions triggered by Cinnamaldehyde cause mouth sores, ulcers, gum swelling, burning sensation and white patches.
- It may trigger breathing problems.
- May Interact with medications related to hypertension, heart problems, etc.
Those are some of the best Cinnamon benefits that make you love it even more! From Cinnamon spiced lattes to cinnamon rolls, you can enjoy its goodness in plenty of ways. So, how do you prefer having Cinnamon? Do you have a special recipe to share with our readers?
