Cinnamon is a spice that is both aromatic and tasty. It has
also been around for a long time and is used in cooking and for medicinal purposes.
It has a warm sweet taste and helps with metabolic health to improving
ancillaries, this herb called cinnamon contains all the nutriments that can
change your physical health. Benefits of cinnamon are numerous and how adding
them in your diet can enhance the quality of health:
1. Antioxidant Properties:
Cinnamon is an extremely high source of antioxidants that
aid in eliminating free radicals damaging your system. Polyphenols, one of the
antioxidants present in cinnamon, helps decrease the possibility of such
illnesses occurring. Evidence depicts that including cinnamon in your recipes
on a daily basis can make these free radicals less harmful, help with
inflammation as well as assist in anti-aging properties.
2. Anti-Inflammatory Effects:
Inflammation is a normal immune response; however chronic
inflammation is associated with numerous disease processes such as arthritis,
diabetes and heart diseases. Cinnamaldehyde is believed to be responsible for
controlling inflammation which makes cinnamon a useful herb to manage
inflammatory diseases. Therefore, swelling and pain associated with joints
undergoing arthritis could also respond favorably with addition of cinnamon in
diet.
3. Promotes Cardiovascular Health:
The health benefits of cinnamon also extend to the
improvement of various cardiovascular health indicators. It lowers LDL (bad
cholesterol) and triglycerides but preserves HDL (good cholesterol). It is also
important to the health of the heart as it enhances blood flow and helps to do
away with high blood pressure. There are also studies that indicate that
cinnamon has antithrombotic effects. Hence, it may help in preventing the
formation of blood clots. Thus, if helps in improving the health of the heart,
it reduces the risk of developing diseases associated with the cardiovascular
system.
4. Maintains Blood Sugar Levels:
Cinnamon is a potent spice, especially for patients
suffering from type 2 diabetes. The cinnamon effect during or after meals,
through adding a tiny bit of it into food or liquid, aids in improving
sensitivity of insulin after meals and controlling of blood levels. Hence it is
a very good spice to include in energy meal plans for diabetes patients or
those who wish to maintain energy at a stable level.
5. Boosts Brain Function:
Cinnamon is also beneficial for the brain. Research shows
possible effects of cinnamon in the prevention of neurodegenerative disorders,
such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's diseases. Cinnamon compounds prevent the
formation of brain tangles, cognitive enhancement, memory, and attention. Two
pinches of this wonderful spice on your oatmeal, or morning coffee may be just
the energizer for the brain to wake up fully.
6. Assists with Maintaining Healthy Weight:
Cinnamon also regulates sugar levels in the blood making it
suitable for people who wish to manage their weight. With blood sugar
controlled, the desire to eat is lessened. Cinnamon does however assist in
weight control when coupling it with a healthy diet and physical activity.
7. Fights Infections:
Cinnamon has active component called cinnamaldehyde which is
responsible for the antimicrobial and antifungal effects. This enables it to
fight against bacterial and fungal infections like Candidiasis which affects
the mouth. However, it is also worth noting that by eliminating mouth bacteria,
cinnamon can help in eliminating bad breath. Want a simple solution? Use
cinnamon mouthwash to keep your breath and gums healthy.
8. Improves Digestive System:
Cinnamon is an herb that assists in the treatment of various
conditions, especially those related to digestion. If the stomach does get
unpleasant for any reason, cinnamon controls the stomach cramps, swelling or
pain as well as helps digestion. As a result of its carminative properties, it
minimizes the excessive gas formation in the digestive system, making it a
perfect spice for aiding the digestion of heavy meals.
9. Enhances the Immune System:
The effects of cinnamon go beyond being simply a spice; they
can also serve as a natural treatment for colds, sore throats, flu, and
infections because they are antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal. Cinnamon
being a spice that warming the body, also helps alleviate some of the cold
symptoms like congestion and sore throat. During the flu season, try to manage
with cinnamon tea in your daily practice for some more help.
10. Fighting cancer:
Some studies showed that cinnamon can also fight diabetes
and cancer cells. In cinnamon, cumin aldehyde has been proven to block the
development of malignant cells as well as the development of blood vessels
within the tumors. Besides this, the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory effects
of this compound help in preventing cancer by preventing cell damage.
11. Keeps the Skin Healthy:
Another of medicinal benefits of cinnamon is its
antibiotics. Use of this helps in controlling the growth of acnes causing
bacteria, thus controls acne. Besides that, the anti-inflammatory action of it
deals with the redness as well as irritation which brings about its high use in
natural skincare products. Prepare a face mask made of cinnamon and honey and
apply it to your face to help improve the condition of your skin as well as
clear out any blemishes.
Ways to Incorporate Cinnamon to One Diet
Using cinnamon on a daily basis is not only possible but it
is very flexible. Here are a few of them:
1. Breakfast: Add cinnamon powder to your oatmeal, yogurt or
smoothies.
2. Beverages: Mix a little bit of cinnamon in coffee, tea or
hot chocolate.
3. Cooking: Also add in the curries and stews as cinnamon is
also for savory cooks.
4. Snacks: Include some cinnamon in moist baked goods like
cakes and loafs, granola or even roasted nuts.
Different Types of Cinnamon Available
Two types of Cinnamon are the most common. They are;
1. Ceylon Cinnamon (True Cinnamon): Ceylon cinnamon has a
light taste and is considered the true cinnamon since it is rich in
antioxidants and has a low coumarin level.
2. Cassia cinnamon: Cassia wrinkles on the rims of one’s
pockets and is more inexpensive. Ceylon cinnamon has an extreme flavor due to
the high amount of coumarin which is unhealthy in high dosages. If health is a
primary concern, seek for Ceylon variety of cinnamon as much as possible.
Conclusion
Cinnamon goes beyond the scope of being a mere spice. It is
a super food as it has several benefits such as contributing to healthy hearts
and brains, increasing resistance, weight management and many more. It suitable
for each kitchen, therefore turning your meal plans into an actual weapon
against deterioration of health, and such goals can be achieved with cinnamon
in your meal plans. At Energy Meal Plans we offer custom made meal plans
centered on your health. It can be weight control, increasing energy or
enhancing digestion, with the help of cinnamon and other ingredients in the
plans you are able to maximize use of nature.
