8 Magnificent Cinnamon Benefits You Can’t Get Enough Of
Did you know that there was once a time when cinnamon was much more precious than gold?
Today, we can easily get 24 carat gold. But is it going to keep us in the pink of health? Definitely not! When it comes to health benefits, this sultry spice is so valuable that you’ll likely save yourself some trips to the doctor.
It’s not just the aroma of cinnamon that takes one to a heavenly ambience, it is considered as a super-food as well. People have been using this aromatic bark ever since ancient times when they had recognized its true magic. Over a period of time, modern science has uncovered the real potency of this primeval, medicinal, and delicious spice.
So let’s check out 8 magnificent health benefits that Cinnamon offers:
1. Excellent antioxidant properties
Why let oxidative stress affect your body and increase your susceptibility to chronic diseases?
Cinnamon, with its powerful antioxidant properties, reduces the oxidative damage caused by free radicals in our body. In addition to that, the anti-oxidative capabilities of cinnamon are superior to most other super-foods like garlic and oregano(1).
2. Reduces sugar levels and maintains insulin levels
Cinnamon lowers the blood sugar levels by reducing the insulin resistance in the body. By improving the sensitivity of insulin, cinnamon helps prevent serious conditions like metabolic syndrome and diabetes(2,3).
Because of its ability to manage insulin resistance, cinnamon is also considered to be an effective remedy for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) in women.
3. Useful antimicrobial properties
Cinnamon effectively fights the microbial, bacterial, and viral elements present in your food.
The effects of it's antimicrobial properties aren’t just limited to food. Based on scientific research, Cinnamon has shown a positive impact on helping to cure common cold and lung problems. It also helps to inhibit bacteria by damaging cell membranes and regulates blood circulation.
As a result of its antimicrobial properties, cinnamon helps to prevent tooth decay and bad breath too(4,5)!
4. Reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases
The compound Cinnamaldehyde present in cinnamon lowers the blood pressure of your body(6). As Cinnamon regulates blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides, it helps to reduce the risk of diseases (etc. heart disease) and enhances the overall aerobic activity of your body.
5. Lowers bad cholesterol (LDL)
Even if you don’t have any heart-related diseases, Cinnamon is a good agent for controlling the overall cholesterol of your body. Cinnamon increases the good cholesterol or HDL, which in turn, removes the bad cholesterol (LDL) from the body(7).
With regular intake, it also mitigates the ill-effects of high-fat meals on your body, by slowing the increment of blood sugar post-meal.
6. Loaded with anti-inflammatory properties
Guess what - cinnamon with its anti-inflammatory effects can reduce both systematic and specific inflammation in your body!
Cinnamon blocks abnormal cell growth, repairs tissue damage, and reduces the risks of chronic diseases(8,9). With such excellent anti-inflammation qualities, Cinnamon helps relieve certain headaches and arthritis pain.
7. Helps cure Type-2 Diabetes
Cinnamon effectively lowers blood pressure, insulin resistance, and reduces the likelihood of Type-2 Diabetes. It actively transports the blood sugar from your bloodstreams to the cells and regulates the metabolism of the body.
Scientific studies have confirmed that the anti-diabetic effects of cinnamon lower fasting blood sugar levels by 10%-29%(10,11,12).
8. Fights Against HIV and Cancer
Viruses such as HIV break down your immune system and can lead to lethal diseases such as AIDS if not treated on time. Cinnamon potentially contributes to the treatment of HIV by preventing the virus from entering into the cells of the body(13,14).
Being completely non-toxic, cinnamon reduces the growth of cancer cells and the formation of blood vessels in tumors(15). It activates the protective antioxidant responses in human cells making it a competent remedy in cancer prevention and treatment.