Cinnamon has been used for thousands of years to add flavor and also for many medicinal and ceremonial purposes. Cinnamon is a well-loved spice all around the world, and has been used medicinally since ancient times for coughs, arthritis, sore throats, infections and biblical practices due to its potent healing properties. Cinnamon has extremely high anti-oxidant activity, and the oil of cinnamon has strong anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Cinnamon is a fantastic source of fiber, flavanols, calcium, iron, manganese, and powerful antioxidants. Its ease of consumption offers a pleasing range of dietary compatibility.
12 Top Health Benefits of Cinnamon
Weight Loss
Cinnamon apparently has the effect of thinning your blood thereby increasing blood circulation. Increased blood flow generally boosts your metabolism which is why it may be helpful in weight loss. This blood thinning property of Cinnamon also helps it in acting as an anti clotting agent especially for those suffering from heart disease.
Fights Diabetes
Cinnamon is known to have an anti-diabetic effect. It helps lower blood sugar levels and also can improve sensitivity to the hormone insulin, which is the vital hormone needed for keeping blood sugar levels balanced.
Tooth Decay and Gum Disease
Again the anti-bacterial properties of Cinnamon play a crucial role in getting rid of harmful bacteria without damaging your teeth or gums. It’s one of the reasons that Cinnamon Oil is often used in chewing gums, mouthwashes, toothpaste and breath mints.
Fight Allergies
Cinnamon has been shown to be helpful in fighting common allergy symptoms because it reduces inflammation and fights histamine reactions in the body. For the same reason it can also help to reduce symptoms of asthma attacks.
Improve Brain Function
Cinnamon can help your brain work better and keep you more alert, just by smelling it. The research on this is fascinating because even chewing cinnamon flavored gum can produce the desired results.
Increases Circulation
Cinnamon has a warming effect on the body, and can help improve blood flow throughout. There are plenty of diseases and conditions that are caused by poor circulation, so taking steps to improve that circulation can be very beneficial indeed.
Reduces Food Cravings
Cinnamon is one of the best spices to use to help curb sugar cravings. Aside from it acting as a great sugar substitute, cinnamon helps regulate blood sugar levels, and prevents you from reaching for those decadent sugary sweets.
Prevent Cancer
Cinnamon oil is a promising solution to cancer by mitigating the effects of sugar that is sustaining cancer cells. Because cinnamon helps to control the blood sugar levels in the body, cinnamon is thought to prevent the sugar from feeding the cancerous cells. Promising results have been seen with leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells.
Reduce Bad Cholesterol
Recent studies have shown that consuming small amounts of cinnamon can help reduce LDL cholesterol. Simply eat half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder daily. The cinnamon can be added as a mild sweetener to coffee or tea.
It fights free-radicals
Cinnamon is also rich in antioxidants, molecules that help inhibit free-radicals formed in the body that can have negative health impacts, including cancer and heart disease.
Full of Antioxidants
Cinnamon is full of antioxidants which protect the body from free radicals in the body. Free radicals are produced by our bodies caused by cellular reactions which are harmful; however, they are essential for the immune system. The liver produces and uses these components to detoxify the body. Free radicals damage DNA, cellular membranes, and enzymes and can cause your cells to mutate.
Diuretic
Cinnamon acts as a natural diuretic, which helps flush out excess toxins and waste matter from the body, while helping purify the kidneys. This also makes it effective against urinary tract infections by helping empty the bladder at a faster rate.
Sources:
1) http://www.cinnamonvogue.com
2) http://www.greenmedinfo.com
4) http://www.herbcyclopedia.com
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