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Almost every housewife in the kitchen can find a brownish powder with a pronounced pleasant, slightly tart aroma. Cinnamon is a condiment made from the dried bark of an evergreen tropical tree of the laurel family. It is commonly added to baked goods, hot drinks, meat dishes and cereals. Cinnamon is widely used in perfumery – based on its aroma, toilet waters, soaps, shower gels and much more are created.
Types of cinnamon
Using the method of mass spectrometry (FIMS), it was confirmed that there are 4 main types of cinnamon. [1]
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Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) native to Sri Lanka. Synonyms: real cinnamon, Senegalese cinnamon, noble cinnamon, cinnamon. They are also grown in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brazil, Guiana (Fr.).
Features of Ceylon Cinnamon:
type of tube;
The surface is light brown or yellow-brown;
Thickness – up to 1 mm, the best grades have the thickness of writing paper;
Very brittle;
It has a delicate aroma and a sweetish-burning taste.
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Chinese cinnamon (Cinnamomum Cassia) native to South China. Grown in Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos. It contains a large amount of toxic coumarin. Also called: plain cinnamon, fragrant cinnamon, Indonesian cinnamon, fake cinnamon, cassia, cassia canel.
Features of Chinese cinnamon:
Looks like fragments of bark;
The outer surface is reddish-brown with gray-brown spots;
Thickness – more than 2 mm;
A sharper sweetish-burning taste with a tart-astringent component.
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Malabar cinnamon (Cinnamomum Tamala Nees) is native to Southwest India. Also called: wood cinnamon, brown cinnamon, cassia-vera.
Traits of Malabar Cinnamon:
Rough appearance;
Uneven dark brown color;
More than 3 mm thick;
Sharply astringent taste with a touch of bitterness.
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Cinnamon (Cinnamomum Culilawan) is native to the Moluccas. Synonym: spicy cinnamon. Cultivated in Indonesia.
Traits of cinnamon cinnamon:
Type of pieces of thin bark 1-2 cm long;
Outside – whitish-beige color, and inside – yellow-red;
Pronounced sharp-spicy aroma and spicy-burning taste.
Composition of cinnamon
Cinnamon is not only a fragrant spice, but also a very effective medicine. Ancient Chinese healers knew about this property. Cinnamon is also mentioned in the ancient Indian treatise on health “Ayurveda” and the Old Testament. In the XNUMXth century, cinnamon was also mentioned in the Russian medical book “Cool Vertograd”. Let’s consider the composition of cinnamon.
One tablespoon of ground cinnamon (8 grams) contains approximately:[2]
19 calories
6,2 grams of carbohydrates;
0,3 grams of protein;
0,1 grams of fat;
4,1 grams of fiber;
1,4 milligrams of manganese;
77,7 milligrams of calcium;
0,6 mg of iron;
2,4 micrograms of vitamin K.
In addition to the nutrients listed above, each serving of cinnamon contains small amounts of vitamin A, E, niacin, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and copper.
Useful properties of cinnamon
Cover rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the body from oxidative damage from free radicals. Cinnamon contains antioxidants such as polyphenols. There are so many of them in cinnamon that it can be used as a natural preservative. [3]
Anti-inflammatory properties of cinnamon. To date, several flavonoid compounds have been isolated from cinnamon (eg, gossipin, gnafalin, hesperidin, hibifolin, hypolaetin, oroxindin, and quercetin) that have anti-inflammatory activity. [5] [6]
Isolated flavonoid compounds have an inhibitory effect on the production of nitric oxide, by inhibiting the activation of nuclear factor kappa – light chains enhance cell activity, and increase immunity.
Various compounds found in cinnamon sprigs have shown anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthesis, cyclooxygenase-2 and nitric oxide production in the central nervous system. Due to this, cinnamon can be considered a therapeutic drug for the prevention of inflammatory-mediated neurodegenerative diseases. An aqueous extract of cinnamon reduces the level of lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor.
Cinnamon and type 2 diabetes. Studies have shown a positive effect of cinnamon on type 2 diabetes. According to Lori Kenyon Farley, a certified nutritional consultant specializing in health, fitness and wellness, cinnamon reduces blood pressure, reduces insulin resistance and lowers blood sugar by 29%. Due to this, insulin sensitivity increases, the body is already beginning to “see” sugar, and then regulate it. [8] [9]
Read more: How to take cinnamon for diabetes?
Cinnamon reduces the risk of heart disease. Cinnamon lowers LDL cholesterol and triglycerides while keeping the good HDL cholesterol stable. In order to achieve this effect, it is enough to take 120 mg of cinnamon per day. [11]
Cinnamon protects against colon cancer. Studies conducted in the laboratory and on animals have shown that the uncontrolled growth of cancer cells in the human colon has several previous stages. Scientists have already proven that vegetable consumption reduces the risk of colon cancer. This prompted a further search for substances that destroy cancer cells. [12]
Studies have shown the inhibitory effect of cinnamon and cardamom on azoxymethane-induced colon carcinogenesis due to their anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, and pro-apoptotic activities. [13]
Aqueous suspensions of cinnamon and cardamom increase the level of detoxifying enzyme while reducing the level of lipid peroxidation.
Cinnamon helps fight bacterial and fungal infections of the mouth and respiratory tract. Cinnamaldehyde contained in cinnamon oil (from 85% to 98%) has shown fungitoxic properties to such fungi as. Aspergillus niger, A. fumigatus, A. nidulans A. flavus, Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, C. pseudotropicalis and Histoplasma capsulatum. It is concluded that the inhaled vapors of cinnamon oil are close to the ideal chemotherapy for mycosis of the respiratory tract. At high doses of cinnamaldehyde 75 µg/ml to 600 µg/ml, for yeasts from 100 µg/ml to 450 µg/ml, for filamentous fungi from 75 µg/ml to 150 µg/ml and for dermatophytes from 18,8 µg/ml ml to 37,5 mcg/ml. we can talk about the antimicrobial effectiveness of the oil and equate it with broad-spectrum antibiotics. [14]
Video: honey + cinnamon! What will happen to the body if you take it every day?
Here are 5 possible side effects of eating too much cassia cinnamon:
Liver damage. The recommended daily limit for coumarin is approximately 0,1 mg/kg body weight, or 5 mg per day for a 60 kg person. That is, one and a half teaspoons of Chinese cinnamon per day can lead to an overdose of coumarin, it is worth noting that Ceylon cinnamon does not contain coumarin. A 73-year-old woman developed sudden acute hepatitis after only a week of taking high coumarin cinnamon with statins. [16] [17]
Cinnamon increases the risk of cancer. Excessive intake of coumarin in rodent studies has shown tumor damage to the lungs, liver, and kidneys. [18]
The way in which coumarin can cause tumors is unclear. Scientists suggest that coumarin damages the cells of the liver, kidneys and lungs. Over time, damaged cells are replaced by tumor cells. However, more research is needed to determine if this also applies to humans.
Cinnamon causes mouth ulcers. The cinnamaldehyde contained in cinnamon causes an allergic reaction in the mouth at high doses. The fact is that human saliva retains this component in the mouth for a long time. [19]
It should be noted that cinnamic aldehyde causes gum disease, ulcers, white plaque, itching and burning only if you are allergic to it. The highest content of cinnamic aldehyde is found in chewing gum and cinnamon oil. [20]
Cinnamon can cause too low blood sugar levels. Cinnamon can mimic the actions of insulin, the hormone responsible for removing sugar. Therefore, people with low blood sugar should not consume cinnamon, as it can lead to hypoglycemia, fatigue, dizziness, and fainting. [21]
Cinnamon can cause breathing problems. Cinnamon has a fine texture and is easily inhaled. Accidental inhalation of cinnamon can lead to coughing, vomiting, and difficulty breathing. People with asthma should be especially careful.[22]
How to take cinnamon for diabetes?
How does cinnamon lower blood sugar? The level of sugar in the blood when taking cinnamon decreases due to the fact that phenol is present in its composition (up to 18% of the total weight). This substance normalizes the susceptibility of cells to insulin and prevents malfunctions in the metabolism of carbohydrates.
What kind of cinnamon is more effective? To normalize blood sugar levels, it is better to use Chinese varieties of cinnamon, namely cassia.
How to take cinnamon for diabetes? According to the WHO recommendation, if a person does not suffer from liver disease and from an allergy to cinnamon, it is taken 6 g per day for 6 weeks. If necessary, the course is interrupted for a week, after which it is repeated.
Recommendations for patients with diabetes:
1/4 teaspoon for 5 days.
Break for 2 days. At this time, you can take turmeric.
1/4 teaspoon for 5 days.
The maximum daily dose is 1/2 teaspoon. Cinnamon is added to various dishes: cereals, soups, desserts, drinks.
What results to expect? Cinnamon will not cure diabetes, but it is quite possible to reduce blood sugar levels by 25-30%. Taking the spice helps prevent the development of complications of the disease, since the phenols included in its composition neutralize the destructive effect of sugars on the body.
[Video] Dr. Berg – One teaspoon of this spice will help with diabetes: