Cinnamon comes from the bark of the Cinnamomum tree that contains cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid, and cinnamate compounds that are responsible for its many health-promoting properties. Cinnamon has a unique smell, color, and flavor that makes it distinctly sweet, have a warming taste and ease of use in recipes. Cinnamon is one of the highly sought spices that provides health benefits that are obtained in the form of its pure bark, essential oils, in ground spice form, or in extract form by the isolation of its special phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and antioxidants. It is highly used as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-microbial, immunity-booster and contains cancer and heart disease-protecting abilities as well. It has been widely used in the treatment of respiratory illness, gynecological issues, and digestive problems.
Cinnamon and Weight Loss
Cinnamon helps reduce the bad effects of high-fat foods helping in an overall weight loss plan. It is used also to regulate blood glucose levels resulting. Cinnamon’s anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties help in an overall healthy body by processing food better resulting in weight loss as well. It is however, recommended to add cinnamon to your healthy diet and exercise plan to help you reach your weight loss goal as using it on its own may not necessarily guarantee weight loss. Cinnamon does contain 1.6 grams of fibre in every teaspoonful of serving, which can help in attaining the daily fibre limit and increase a feeling of fullness at meals. Regular intake of cinnamon also helps in mitigating the effects of high-fat meals by slowing the increase in blood sugar in the body post meal. One tablespoon of ground cinnamon contains 19 calories, 4 grams of fibre, 68% manganese, 8% calcium, 4% iron and 3% Vitamin K. cinnamon does not contain any fat, sugar, or protein making the best food ingredient to incorporate in your diet towards attaining weight loss. According to apextribune.com, there is evidence cinnamon has some benefits for the human health and could boost the metabolism.
Other Potential Benefits of Cinnamon
Using a half of one teaspoon of cinnamon daily has positive effects on blood sugar levels, digestion and immunity. Larger quantities of cinnamon are also recommended delimiting risk for diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases and for improving heart disease risk. Cinnamon contains a variety of protective antioxidants that reduce free radical damage hence slowing down the ageing process. Cinnamon helps in lowering the risk of heart disease, cancer, and a decline in brain function because it contains anti-oxidants that have anti-inflammatory effects. Using cinnamon also lowers swelling and inflammation. Therefore, it is beneficial in pain management; relieve muscle soreness, postmenstrual syndrome pains, as well as the severity of allergic reactions. It reduces most common risk factors for heart disease, including high cholesterol levels, high triglyceride levels, and high blood pressure. Cinnamon also gives an anti-diabetic effect helping to lower blood sugar levels hence improving sensitivity to the insulin hormone, which is vital for regulating the blood sugar levels.
