Cinnamon is an aromatic spice that comes from the inner bark of several species of Cinnamomum trees that are closely related to each other. These tropical evergreens grow in the forests of southern China, India, and Southeast Asia. They are also found in the mountains of Southeast Asia, especially the Himalayas.
Both as a seasoning and a remedy, cinnamon has been used for a very long time. It is the dark brown bark of the cinnamon tree, which can be purchased in either the dried tube form known as a quill or the powdered form. Cinnamon from Ceylon is somewhat sweeter, more refined, and more difficult to acquire in local markets.
Although the two forms of cinnamon, Chinese and Ceylon, have a comparable flavor, cinnamon from Ceylon is more difficult to find.
Cinnamon’s Health Benefits
The essential oils extracted from cinnamon bark contain three main classes of components responsible for the spice's distinctive therapeutic properties. Among the many volatile compounds found in these oils are the active components cinnamaldehyde, cinnamyl acetate, and cinnamyl alcohol.
Cinnamon Helps Prevent Blood Clots
Blood platelet effects of cinnamon aldehyde (also known as cinnamic aldehyde) have been studied extensively. Platelets are blood components that cluster together to stop bleeding in times of urgency (such as physical damage), but if they clump too much under regular conditions, they can reduce blood flow.
It has been found that the cinnamaldehyde in cinnamon can help keep blood platelets from sticking together. (It protects health by decreasing the production of thromboxane A2, an inflammatory messenger molecule, and decreasing the release of arachidonic acid, an inflammatory fatty acid, from platelet membranes.) One reason cinnamon is considered an "anti-inflammatory" meal is that it inhibits the release of arachidonic acid from cell membranes.
Cinnamon has Anti-Microbial Activity
Cinnamon is also an "anti-microbial" food because of the essential oils in it. It has been studied for its ability to stop the growth of bacteria and fungi, including the troublesome yeast Candida. In lab tests, cinnamon extracts often, but not always, stopped the growth of yeasts that were resistant to the commonly used antifungal drug fluconazole.
Recent research shows that cinnamon's antimicrobial properties are so good that this spice can be used instead of traditional food preservatives.
Cinnamon Helps Control Blood Sugar
Cinnamon can lessen the effect of a high-carb food on your blood sugar levels. Cinnamon slows down how quickly the stomach empties after a meal. This keeps blood sugar from going up after a meal.
Cinnamon may also help people with type 2 diabetes respond better to insulin, which can help bring their blood sugar levels back to normal. Studies with both test tubes and animals have shown that compounds in cinnamon both stimulate insulin receptors and stop an enzyme from turning them off. This makes it much easier for cells to use glucose.
Cinnamon is such a strong antioxidant that when compared to six other antioxidant spices (anise, ginger, licorice, mint, nutmeg, and vanilla) and the chemical food preservatives (BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), and propyl gallate), cinnamon stopped oxidation better than all the other spices (except mint) and the chemical antioxidants.
Cinnamon Helps Improve Cognitive Performance (Brain Function)
Not only can consuming cinnamon improve the body's ability to utilize blood sugar, but even just smelling the delightful aroma of this sweet spice boosts brain function! Cinnamon is a member of the ginger family.
There have been many studies that have led researchers to believe that cinnamon and the active compounds it contains may boost brain function and maybe protect against dementia; however, none of these advantages have yet been demonstrated to be true in humans. We do know that some of these can enter the brain, and once there, they may lower oxidative stress or inflammation. Among the bioactive chemicals that cinnamon contains are cinnamaldehyde, coumarin, and tannins. Cinnamon also includes several other bioactive compounds.
Cinnamon eating may help minimize or prevent memory loss and increase learning, according to the findings of a meta-analysis of past research publications that was carried out by a team of researchers from Birjand University of Medical Sciences. The study showed that cinnamon and its constituents, such as cinnamic acid, eugenol, and cinnamaldehyde, had a beneficial impact on cognitive performance when tested in vivo. The researchers found that increasing the concentration of cinnamaldehyde or cinnamon in the cell media improved the number of viable cells while simultaneously decreasing the amount of amyloid-beta and tau aggregation linked with Alzheimer's disease.
History of Cinnamon
One of the oldest spices known is cinnamon. It was mentioned in the Bible and was used in ancient Egypt as a flavoring for drinks, medicine, and even to preserve the bodies of the dead. It was so valuable that it was thought to be more valuable than gold. Cinnamon also got a lot of attention in China around this time, which is shown by the fact that it is mentioned in one of the earliest books on Chinese botanical medicine, which was written around 2,700 B.C.
Throughout history, cinnamon has always been a popular spice. It became one of the most important spices in Europe in the Middle Ages. Cinnamon was one of the first things that were regularly traded between the Near East and Europe. This was because it was in high demand. Ceylon cinnamon is grown in Sri Lanka, India, Madagascar, Brazil, and the Caribbean. Cassia is mostly grown in China, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
How to Choose and Store Cinnamon
Cinnamon can be bought as a stick or as a powder. The sticks can be kept longer, but the ground powder tastes better. If you can, smell the cinnamon to make sure it smells sweet, which is a sign that it is still fresh.
Cinnamon is often used to describe both Ceylon cinnamon and Chinese cinnamon (cassia). If you want to find the sweeter, more refined-tasting Ceylon variety, you might have to go to a spice store or an ethnic market because this type is usually harder to find. Like with other dried spices, try to find cinnamon that was grown organically. This will give you a better idea that it hasn't been irradiated (among other potential adverse effects, irradiating cinnamon may lead to a significant decrease in its vitamin C and carotenoid content.)
Cinnamon should be kept in a cool, dark, and dry place in a glass jar with a tight lid. The cinnamon powder will last for about six months, and cinnamon sticks will be good for about a year if you store them this way. You can also keep them in the refrigerator to keep them fresh for longer. Smell the cinnamon to see if it is still good. If it doesn't smell sweet, it's not fresh anymore and should be thrown away.
How to Enjoy Cinnamon? Here are a Few Serving Ideas
- Try a healthier version of cinnamon toast, one of the most popular foods for kids. Pour flax seed oil over whole wheat toast and then sprinkle cinnamon and honey on top.
- To make a deliciously warming drink, boil cinnamon sticks with soymilk and honey.
- If you add ground cinnamon to black beans that will be used in burritos or nachos, they will taste deliciously different.
To make a healthy Middle Eastern-style meal, sauté lamb with eggplant, raisins, and cinnamon sticks. When making curries, add ground cinnamon.
Cinnamon Nutritional Profile:
Cinnamon is a very good source of calcium and a great source of manganese and fiber.