You must have heard the name of Cinnamon (Dalchini). Generally, people use cinnamon only in cooking in the form of spice, because people are not aware of the benefits of cinnamon. Cinnamon has been described as a very beneficial medicine in Ayurveda. According to Ayurveda, many diseases can be treated with the use of cinnamon.
Benefits of cinnamon:
Cinnamon helps lose weight by suppressing appetite, regulating blood sugar levels and accelerating metabolism.
It maintains your blood pressure. It contains cinnamaldehyde and cinnamomic acid which controls lipid metabolism and boost up the metabolism and hence it prevents heart diseases.
Cinnamon reduces the LDL level but has no effect on HDL, so it is beneficial for type 2 diabetes patients. Lowering your blood-sugar level and improving cholesterol helps to reverse pre-diabetes and it is also insulin resistance (do check Atherosclerosis and Diabetes to know more).
It also helps to stay away from acne and it clears the dead skin layer and helps in creating a new glowing skin again.
Cinnamon is capable of suppressing appetite as it increases body metabolism and helps to burn off excess fat stored in the body. It is very rich in Polyphenols which may reduces the weight.
Digestion, it helps in digestion since cinnamon contains propanoic acid which maintains the acidity and hence digestion gets better.
It also helps in preventing diarrhea.
Cinnamon assist in curing bacterial infections since it contains Cinnamaldehyde, Eugene and glutathione. These compounds are anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and contains antioxidant with anti-inflammation properties.
How to use cinnamon in diet:
1 tablespoon (2.5GM) of cinnamon (contains 19 calories):
4gm of Fiber ( To keep digestive system healthy)
68% Manganese (helps in the formation of connective tissue, bones, blood clotting factors and sex hormones, metabolites fat and carbohydrates, Blood-sugar regulation)
7% Calcium ( To maintain the hardness and structure of bones and teeth, sending and receiving nerve signals, releasing hormones and other chemicals, contraction and relaxation of muscles and vessels)
3% Iron (is essential for blood production. Hemoglobin is essential for transferring oxygen in your body from lungs to tissues.)
3% Vitamin K (to avoid blood clotting and improves body building)
0gms of sugar, fats, protein, etc.
Note: Please use only 2.5gm (1 tablespoon) of cinnamon powder/sticks daily.
How to use in food:
-Sprinkle it on food. (powder)(e.g. Toasts)
-Use it as a spice in cooking everyday. (sticks and powder)
-Make tea. The chemicals in cinnamon sticks are water soluble and make a great tea. ( MASALA CHAI)
-Boil cinnamon stick with water, clove(2), Basil (leaves 2) and drink it.
-Swallow it with honey. Honey with cinnamon is a common remedy for sore throats and coughs. It can help alleviate pain and soreness caused by bronchitis.
-Drink 1 Tablespoon of cinnamon powder in the boiled water in the morning.
Types of Cinnamon:
Cinnamon is separated into two main categories:
Cassia Cinnamon:
Cassia or “regular” cinnamon is a rich source of coumarin. It contains approximately 5 mg of coumarin per teaspoon (2 grams), while Ceylon cinnamon only contains trace amounts of it. Research has found that eating too much coumarin may harm your liver and increase the risk of cancer.
Cassia cinnamon rolls look and feel like very hard bark
Ceylon Cinnamon:
Ceylon cinnamon (Sri Lanka) is effectively the real one, without the toxic coumarin that can destroy your liver. Anything else is Cassia cinnamon (fake cinnamon mainly from China) and is toxic when overused because of very high coumarin levels.
Ceylon, or "true cinnamon," is native to Sri Lanka and southern parts of India. It's made from the inner bark of the Cinnamomum verum tree. Ceylon cinnamon is less common and has long been prized as a cooking spice. It is quite expensive compared to the more common Cassia variety.
Ceylon cinnamon looks and feels like brittle tobacco leaves
Which is healthier Ceylon cinnamon or cassia cinnamon?
Cassia cinnamon has a much larger amount of coumarin than Ceylon cinnamon — 250 times as much.
Ceylon cinnamon is more expensive and has less punch in taste, but is nevertheless very powerful in virtues. The cassia type cinnamon is much cheaper, distributed worldwide, is more tasty, and used in everything you eat in any processed food. Coumarin should not be consumed in high amount, it can be very dangerous.
Other types:
Side effects:
Consuming more than 2.5 gm of cinnamon may increase the risk of liver damage due to presence of COUMARIN in cinnamon which leads to toxicity. also increases the risk of cancer in humans
Cinnamon contains Cinnamaldehyde which on consuming high can cause an allergic reaction in mouth like Tongue or gum swelling, a burning or itching sensation, etc. These symptoms are not serious but can cause discomfort.
Since cinnamon helps in maintaining blood sugar level, having too much may lower the blood sugar level below the normal range.
Due to cinnamon’s fine texture, eating too much at a time can lead to throat discomfort and breathing problems.
Cinnamon is very beneficial but if you are on any medication, please consult your physician about cinnamon interactions.
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