Cinnamon is a deep brown hued, aromatic spice that is essentially the bark of the trees belonging to the genus Cinnamomum. It’s warm and exotically different sweetness along its versatile natures makes it a vital ingredient of various cuisines. It is number 7 in the list of worlds’ most powerful antioxidant medicinal spices and herbs.
Packed generously with various potent flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and other antioxidants, its medicinal properties has been well appreciated by the global medical community. It takes care of every aspect of your health from the head to the toes. Read on to know more about cinnamon and its benefits for mankind.
8 Must Know Health Benefits of Cinnamon
1. Prevents And Helps To Manage Type 2 Diabetes
According to various studies, cinnamon has the potential to lower the levels of blood sugar. It pressurizes the muscular cells to eliminate sugar from the blood, thereby keeping the levels of sugar under control. This non-toxic spice also ensures that the receptors regain the insulin sensitivity. And, it does all these in a better way than the prescribed anti-diabetic medicines.
2. Highest Source of Antioxidants
As mentioned above, it contains the most powerful antioxidants among all spices and herbs. This antioxidant properties enable it to eliminate the free radicals, in turn, putting a check on premature aging of the skin and brain.
The elimination of oxidative stress also helps in limiting the building up of nitric oxide in the blood and preventing lipid peroxidation. These properties, thus, help in keeping a check on the risk of various heart ailments.
The antioxidant properties of this spice also eliminates those free radicals that unwanted induce cognitive decline. Thus, regular inclusion of cinnamon in your diet could lower the risk of developing conditions such as Alzheimer’s Disease.
3. Powerful Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Ayurveda uses the anti-inflammatory properties of cinnamon to ease painful menstruation. It contains more than 7 flavonoids that possess the potential to ease the inflammations affecting the body.
Cinnamon has the potential to alleviate inflammation and swelling and hence is widely used as a natural remedy for muscular soreness, allergy induced puffiness, arthritis, and other such traumatic physical injuries.
4. Keeps Your Heart Safe
Cinnamon contains various compounds that help in keeping the levels of cholesterol under check by lowering the LDL values. It also maintains the level of blood pressure. In short, regular use of cinnamon helps in lowering the risk of various heart diseases.
5. Helps In Forming Clots
Cinnamon has innate anti-coagulant properties , which helps in forming clots when you sustain major injuries. Hence it is widely administered, in Ayurvedic practices, to control bleeding after delivery. It is also effective used as a natural solution for dysfunctional uterine bleeding as well as to treat dysmenorrhea.
6. Has Anti-Cancerous Properties
The antioxidant properties of cinnamon makes it a powerful tool to combat cancer. Studies suggest that cinnamon contains a compound named cinnamaldehyde, which has the potential to restrict the growth of cancerous tumors. It also shields the DNA from various damages, while promoting cell apoptosis of cancerous cells.
7. Good For Your Dental Health
The aromatic spice is the treasure trove of powerful antibacterial properties. These properties enable it to be used to ward off these microorganisms present in the mouth, which, if left untracked, could trigger various oral conditions including tooth decay and cavities.
Cinnamon, in the form of essential oil, can be used as a natural remedy to heal bad breath. Its properties to freshen up the mouth makes it an effective mouth freshener. The anti-bacterial properties of cinnamon also makes it an efficient antidote for oral ulcers.
8. Good For Your Skin
The anti-fungal and anti-viral properties of cinnamon makes it a potential antidote for various skin conditions. A mixture of cinnamon and coconut oil could be used effectively as a remedy for acne and pimples. While its antibacterial properties eliminates the infections, its anti-inflammatory nature eases the inflammation. The antioxidants scavenge the free radicals, thus preventing premature aging of skin.
When are you going to start using cinnamon?