Many of you are likely to associate the sweet and warm scent of cinnamon with Pumpkin Spiced Latte or warm apple pies. But it can be used in so many different ways and not just in sweet treats. Medieval doctors prescribed it for coughs, sore throats, and even arthritis.
While modern medicine may not believe all of the purported health benefits of cinnamon. But more and more studies show that this spice is definitely healing. In this article, we will discuss the health properties of cinnamon.
Benefits Of Adding Cinnamon To Your Food
Let’s take a look at the healing properties of this super spice.
1.Rich Source Of Manganese
The manganese content of cinnamon is very high. It is estimated that about 37% of Americans do not get enough of this beneficial mineral in their daily diet. Manganese helps our body convert fats and carbohydrates, helps the thyroid gland, and produces sex hormones. Besides, they also regulate blood sugar and help in the formation of connective tissue. It is essential for the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system.
A low level of manganese in the body leads to infertility, abnormalities in the development of bone tissue, fragility, and seizures. Therefore, by including cinnamon in a diet, a person can get enough manganese for the body.
2.Remedy For Fungal Infection
The thought of a fungus in our body terrifies us. And yet, this is exactly what causes mycosis, itching in the groin, and thrush. The fungus loves warm and moist areas of the body. This capricious fungus can only be killed with the help of medication. But it is better to help prevent the occurrence of these infections than to cure them.
Research shows that cinnamon, or to be more precise, the cinnamon aldehyde it contains, has potent antifungal properties. Adding cinnamon to your diet can help you avoid this itchiness. Other studies have had similar results, proving that cinnamon is effective against fungal infections.
3.Fights Bacteria
Cinnamon fights not only fungi but bacteria too, making cinnamon exactly the spice that every housewife should have at hand. It turns out that even a small amount of cinnamon kills both E. coli and Salmonella bacteria.
And scientific studies of cinnamon for its antibacterial properties against the five bacteria that spoil food show that cinnamon can kill all five types of bacteria. Therefore, you need to add it to your food.
4.The Best Source Of Antioxidants
You may remember organic substances such as catechins, known to be powerful antioxidants in green tea. They are also present in cinnamon. When you include foods high in antioxidants, such as cinnamon, in your daily diet, you are guaranteed a long life and good health. We should always strive to eat more of these foods.
The cinnamon extract also helps prevent food from oxidizing, which is why it is called an antioxidant. This means that in addition to its bactericidal properties, it is an excellent antiseptic.
5.Prevents Diabetes and Regulates Blood Sugar
Insulin insensitivity happens when blood glucose levels rise rather than absorbed into the cells. It causes 2nd type of diabetes or metabolic syndrome (insulin resistance syndrome). The polyphenols in cinnamon can reduce insulin resistance, helping to prevent diabetes.
Interestingly, cinnamon and its components have a healing effect on other factors associated with diabetes and metabolic syndrome too. These include s heartburn, blood pressure, and body weight.
6.Reduce Craving For Drugs
According to research about substance use, blood sugar level plays an important role in increasing craving for such substance. Thus, if people recovering from substance abuse use cinnamon, they will be able to control cravings. As cinnamon stabilizes blood sugar levels in the body and eliminates such thoughts.
If you need more guidance about addiction treatment, there are many drug rehab guides available on the internet. Besides, you can get expert guidance about which other methods to use to curb drug craving from such guides.
7.Appetite Suppressant
A study published in the American Journal of Diet found that adding a small amount (6 grams) of cinnamon to food slowed down the absorption of carbohydrates. Since the food does not digest as quickly as it would have been without cinnamon, the participants felt full for much longer.
Blood glucose levels and hunger are closely related because high glucose levels provoke an increase in appetite. Thus, by stabilizing the blood sugar level, you will also decrease your appetite.
8.Increases The Duration Of Your Attention
It turns out that many of us now have a shorter attention span. Eight seconds is all we can do before we lose focus, isn’t it? Therefore, if you want to beat the super-focused people, try some cinnamon.
Simply inhaling this spice significantly increases performance on tasks related to attention span, memory, and visual-motor response time. Therefore, it is especially beneficial for students who complain about a lack of focus.
9.Promotes Heart Health
A diet rich in spices such as cinnamon and turmeric has been shown to counteract some of the negative effects of eating fatty foods. Usually, after eating unhealthy, fatty foods, blood fat levels (known as triglycerides) rise.
In a small test, participants added two tablespoons of spices, including cinnamon, to a greasy meal. The spices were able to reduce triglyceride levels by up to 30%. They also raised the level of antioxidants in the blood by up to 13%.
10.Supports Oral Hygiene
You’ve probably noticed that cinnamon is present as an additive in gum, mouthwash, and toothpaste. This may be partly because it tastes good and suppresses appetite, but it is also an oral hygiene aid.
The antibacterial properties of cinnamon cleanse your mouth of harmful bacteria, ensuring your teeth and gums stay in great shape. Cinnamon also kills bacteria that cause bad breath.
Wrapping Up
Cinnamon is not only a spice that adds aroma to your food but also makes you healthier. You need to include this nutritional spice in your foods and see the magical effect. But remember not to overuse it as moderation is the key to obtain good results.