Cinnamon Health Benefits For Diabetes And Lowering Cholesterol

Cinnamon is one of the oldest known spices in the world and is from the cinnamon tree found in India, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Egypt, and Vietnam. The bark of the cinnamon tree is taken, dried, and rolled into what are known as “quills”. It can also be dried and ground into powder. Cinnamon is added to food for its aroma and the flavour it lends, especially in meat preparations. But its versatile nature lends itself to use with fruits like apples and pears in particular, confectionary, curries, and poultry.

Health Benefits Of Cinnamon

Studies have proved that consuming half a teaspoon of cinnamon every day can reduce the risk of some kinds of cholesterol. Its regulatory effect on blood sugar levels makes it an excellent candidate to battle Type 2 diabetes. However, this is not to say that medication for this condition must be stopped altogether. Some experts believe that it has an anti clotting effect on the blood while also reducing the proliferation of lymphoma and leukaemia cancer cells. For those suffering from arthritis, cinnamon can be used to relieve pain and help in movement if had every morning with a little honey before breakfast. It is also a popular food preservative and controls bacterial growth while protecting food from spoilage. Since it contains calcium, iron, manganese and fiber, its use in food is likely to add to one’s nutritional intake as well. Its healing properties are attributed to the essential oils found in its bark. Cinnamon is a popular remedy for flatulence, menstrual cramps, colds, diarrhoea and nausea. A piece of cinnamon can be boiled in a cup of water and consumed hot for all these ailments and is known to provide relief. It works as an anti-ulcerative and helps fight frost bite while also functioning as an anti-inflammatory food that helps lessen inflammations in the body. The very scent of cinnamon, researchers insist, helps boost brain function especially with regard to improving virtual recognition memory, one’s visual-motor speed, every day working memory and attention related processes of the brain as per tests conducted with computer based programs.

However, it would be inadvisable to consume cinnamon in case a person is suffering from diabetes and is under medication. Consuming both together is likely to cause the blood sugar levels to go down drastically and hence consulting one’s physician is of paramount importance in this situation. Doctors also do not recommend this spice for pregnant women.