Cinnamon – A Powerful Anti-Inflammatory Agent
Cinnamaldehyde is a natural anti-inflammatory agent found in cinnamon bark. Cinnamon has been shown to reduce inflammation associated with arthritis, asthma, and other inflammatory conditions. Can cinnamon help with weight loss too?
Cinnamaldehyde (pronounced sin-Nam-uh-dhel) is a naturally occurring substance found in the inner bark of the cinnamon tree, Cinnamomum Verum. Cinnamon has been used for thousands of years to treat fever, pain, and digestive problems. Recent studies suggest that cinnamaldehyde may also play a role in weight loss.
Studies show that cinnamaldehyde reduces appetite and increases thermogenesis or heat production. This means that cinnamaldehyde helps burn calories and increase metabolism. That may explain why cinnamaldehyde supplements have been reported to promote weight loss.
What is Cinnamon?
Cinnamon is a spice native to India and Sri Lanka. Cinnamon consists of many components including cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, cinnamic acid, coumarins, flavonoids, and polyphenols. Cinnamaldehyde is what gives cinnamon its characteristic flavor. Cinnamon contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.
Antioxidants help fight free radicals in the body, while anti-inflammatories help reduce pain. A study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food showed that cinnamon may have cancer-prevention abilities. In this study, rats were given different doses of cinnamon extract and had their livers analyzed. The results showed that cinnamon helped reduce liver damage caused by alcohol consumption.
The next time you’re craving some sweets, try adding a teaspoon of cinnamon instead of sugar. According to research conducted at the University of Alberta, cinnamon could play a role in weight loss. Rats who ate cinnamon daily lost weight without even trying. The rats experienced increased levels of brain chemicals associated with satiety and reduced appetite.
Cinnamon also helps lower blood glucose levels. The combination of these factors may cause cinnamon to help people lose weight.
Health Benefits of Cinnamon
Cinnamon is one of those spices that we use daily without even realizing it. From baking to drinking hot tea, cinnamon is everywhere! Cinnamon contains many health benefits including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiseptic, and antimicrobial properties. Here are some of the health benefits of cinnamon:
- Antioxidants
- Anti-Inflammatory Properties
- Antibacterial Properties
- Antimicrobial Properties
- Heart Health Benefits
- Cancer Prevention
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are substances that protect our body from free radical damage. Free radicals are oxygen molecules that have lost their outer electrons. These missing electrons cause them to become unstable and highly reactive. When free radicals find themselves inside cells, they can wreak havoc causing cellular damage. Antioxidants help prevent this cellular damage by donating their own electron to stabilize the free radicals.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Anti-inflammatory drugs are often prescribed to treat chronic inflammation. Inflammation is caused by injury, infection, or irritation. Chronic inflammation causes long-term damage to the body’s organs and tissues. Studies show that cinnamon may help reduce inflammation.
Antibacterial Properties
Cinnamon oil is known for its strong antibacterial properties. The oil helps kill bacteria that commonly infect wounds and skin infections. Cinnamon is also effective at killing certain types of fungi and yeast.
Antimicrobial Properties
The active compounds in cinnamon work together to fight off harmful pathogens. Cinnamon fights off a wide variety of bacterial infections such as strep throat and urinary tract infections. It also kills viruses and fungi like candida Albicans and dermatophytes.
Heart Health Benefits
One study showed that cinnamon lowers blood sugar levels. Another study showed that cinnamon reduces cholesterol and triglycerides. In addition, cinnamon supports healthy heart muscles and prevents plaque buildup in arteries.
Cancer Prevention
Cinnamon has been shown to inhibit cancer cell proliferation and induce apoptosis (cell death). Apoptosis is a natural way for the body to dispose of damaged or unwanted cells. Cinnamon helps keep the immune system working properly and increases the activity of white blood cells. White blood cells destroy cancer cells before they can multiply.
Side Effects of Cinnamon
Cinnamon is known to have many medicinal uses including treating colds, flu, and even cancer. But do you know what happens if you consume cinnamon? Let’s find out!
Coughing
If you’re suffering from a sore throat or coughing fits, try adding some cinnamon to your tea. A study done at the University of California Davis showed that cinnamon may help stop coughs and reduce symptoms of bronchitis.
Headaches
You’ve probably heard that drinking hot water helps ease headaches, but did you know that cinnamon can work just as well? In fact, consuming cinnamon can actually reduce the intensity of headaches. A study published in the journal Headache in 2013 suggests that cinnamon could be effective at reducing migraine pain.
Fever
The same study mentioned above found that cinnamon may be able to lower body temperature. If you are feeling warm, add a pinch of cinnamon to a glass of ice-cold water.
Digestion
If you’re looking to improve digestion, sprinkle some cinnamon on your food before eating. According to research, cinnamon boosts the production of digestive enzymes.
Diabetes
A study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food found that people who ate cinnamon three times daily had lower blood sugar levels than those who didn’t eat any cinnamon.
Blood Pressure
According to a 2014 study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, cinnamon lowers blood pressure. To make cinnamon tea, simply add two teaspoons of ground cinnamon to boiling water, then let it steep for 10 minutes. You can drink this tea regularly to keep your blood pressure in check.
FAQs
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Last Word
Cinnamon has been shown to help fight inflammation and pain. Learn more about this powerful spice and why it can help you stay healthier.
The word cinnamon comes from the Latin word Cinnamomum, which means “cinnamon tree.” This spice has been used since ancient times as a flavoring agent and food preservative.
Cinnamon contains compounds called phenolic acids and flavonoids, both of which have anti-inflammatory properties. Research suggests that these compounds may also improve blood sugar levels and cholesterol levels.
